> This has been a great topic and I'm not trying to cut it short, but
> I want to throw a twist in to keep discussion here, at least
> partially addressing Certification.
>
> Question - What part, if any, would a standard certification, on the
> lines of the NRCEV certifications, play within this discussion?

Let me answer that question in reverse (where I think it has a stronger
link)...

I see some sort of experience as a vital element in upper level
certifications

I think most people here would agree that real communications emergencies
are thankfully rare in the US, therefore many EComm operators are likely to
get most of their 'experience' in non-emergency activities and in drills
(such as both described so well in Ron Dodson's messages).

With that in mind, I would be interested in seeing some discussion of just
what sort of activities and drills should be considered equivalent to real
EComm experience. I have to say that I have seen some drills that were more
stressful than some real EComm assignments - so certainly there are drills
that are every bit as good as the real thing as a learning experience - and
there are also drills that consist of nothing more than simulating passing a
couple of pieces of scripted traffic, sometimes with the traffic even being
introduced at the "receiving" end instead of being originated somewhere.
From a EComm aspect such "drills" are no more realistic than a table top
exercise.

73 de N4AOF