K4YZ wrote:
Dee Flint wrote:

Perhaps the FCC is wanting to see how this will go for a while and depending
on the results, reduce the number of classes to two.

I am willing to bet that there will be some arguments made to the
effect that once the code is dropped it WILL become a defacto 2-class
license, and they will just go ahead in this NPRM and do it.

Well, let's look at the history....

Before 1951, there were effectively two license classes, A and B. (The
third license class, C, was just a B taken by mail). Both allowed
access to all
amateur frequencies and all authorized modes, at full power, with one
exception.
The exception was that only Class A hams could operate 'phone on the
ham bands between 2 and 25 MHz.

From February 1953 until November 1968, there were effectively three
license classes, Novice (1 year 1-time-only newcomer license),
Technician (VHF-and-up experimenter license) and
General/Conditional/Advanced/Extra (all privileges licenses). Some
people refer to that time as a "golden age".....

In 1998 FCC proposed reduction to 4 license classes (open to new
issues, that is) - Technician, General, Advanced, Extra. In 2000 they
went one step further and closed off the Advanced, too.

So there's definitely a precedent. OTOH, FCC has steadfastly refused
free upgrades.

Then how far till 1? Then none?

Admin work - that's the rub.

73 de Jim, N2EY