We seem to be casting a lot of blame on individuals, but I believe the
underlying problem isn't people, it is the nature of electronic
equipment these days.
A lot of us got our start by being repairmen, and to do that kind of
work well, one must understand the fundamentals of electronics. These
days, you either change a PC board (if it is an expensive piece of
gear), or you just throw it out and buy another. So-called
"technicians" anymore are mostly just parts changers, not real
repairmen. I don't see that changing any time in the near future.
Of course there are some real technicians around, but any more they
are working mostly at the engineering level, not the field repair
level, and there are not a lot of them because not a lot are needed.
Once the bugs are worked out of a design, you just make 'em by the
millions and toss the bad ones.
Sad but true.
Bill, W6WRT
