When I was an electrical engineering student back in the 1970s, I was surprised at how many of my peers had little or no practical experience with electronics. Of course, I had the jump on them since I got my ham ticket when I was 16.
Well, apparently, times haven’t changed a bit. At Berkeley, some members of the student branch of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) have come up with a class to teach freshmen and sophomores some of the basics. And apparently, it’s quite popular.
Of course, getting an amateur radio license serves much the same function, and it’s a lot more fun than building a circuit that simply flashes an LED.
Dennis Baumgarte says
Yes, I remember when I would get an new EE and take him around the
Indian Point Unit 2 Nuclear Power Plant. I would show them the problems we were having and try to explain why his ideas would not work. The Real World meets the Book World, and the two don’t always agree. I am not saying we don’t have good EEs, but they do need a good technician to work with them to show them how things work in the field.
I do thank my dad ,Paul WD8RJR, for getting me into ham radio for it did give me my career.
Dennis AE2EE/AAR2LD
David Baumgarte says
I totally agree with my brother Dennis. I have worked with many EE’s and the really good ones listen to their technicians. I currently work for the Naval Udersea Warefare Center Newport, RI. I also want to thank my dad Paul WD8RJR for getting me involved in ham radio. It helped me get a lot of experience in my current field of endeavor.
Dave N1LAP/NNN0VML