robert casey wrote:
wrote:
Recently there have been some claims about "what the
majority wants" in regards to FCC NPRMs.
THe FCC doesn't make rules based on how polling comes out.
I was speaking about comments, not polls. But you're right
either way, in that the FCC can ignore the majority
if it wants to.
One very
good comment can trump many "me toos".
Or one comment that FCC just happens to agree with.
Look at the BPL situation....
Besides, the FCC isn't
in the business of handing out gold stars. If a requirement
serves no regulatory purpose, the FCC doesn't want to bother
with it.
Or if FCC doesn't want to be bothered in the first place...
However, none of that is really what I was driving at.
My point is simply that the majority of comments on code testing
(57%) on 98-143 were in favor of at least two code test speeds,
including at least 12 wpm for Advanced and Extra. That fact is
proved by KC8EPO's published results, right here on rrap back
in March of 1999. (WA6VSE/WK3C posted them).
FCC ignored the majority opinion back then and reduced code
testing to 5 wpm. The majority opinion was *not* acted upon
by FCC.
Whether FCC did the best thing or not is a matter of opinion.
But the plain simple fact is that the majority was *not*
anti-code-test.
Now of course if the majority of comments on 05-235 are in
favor of no more code testing, FCC will most certainly say
they are simply doing what the majority wants.
73 de Jim, N2EY