RadioBanter - View Single Post

February 26th 04, 11:51 AM

PAMNO (N2EY) wrote in message ...
In article , Alun
writes:

The authorities in South Africa reacted to the demise of the ITU code
test requirement in a truly bizarre way, by suggesting a third class of
licence with a ZT call, with a 5wpm code test and limited HF privileges.

Why was this a "truly bizarre way"?

TAFKA Rev Jim, I'll explain it to you. SA has two existing coded HF
licenses. ITU says you can drop code, so they come out with a third
coded license. Bizarre.

This has been shelved, due to what they say were a large number of
comments.

Democracy in action.

You almost got it right. Should be "Democracy inaction."

No such licence will now be implemented, so don't expect to
hear any ZT calls anytime soon.

Instead, they are proposing a dual route to a full licence, offering a
choice between either an advanced theory test or a code test for each
candidate. This was proposed by many people in many countries whilst
there still was an ITU requirement for a code test, but this is the first
time I have seen it resurface since it ended.

Sounds like a very reasonable compromise.

Then why did they initially suggest a third coded license? Why did
that generate a "large number of comments?"

If South Africa does
implement it, they will be the first and probably only country to do so.

Why? Perhaps it could be a way out of the constant arguments. It wasn't
possible before, due to the treaty.

TAFKA Rev Jim, the constant arguments can be gotten out of by letting
go.

They are also proposing to give the same limited HF privileges that they
would have given to the new licence, to the existing restricted licence
instead, without any addtional testing.

How many has in South Africa, anyway?

huh?