"Scott in Baltimore" wrote...
From this week's ARNewsline(#1473): www.arnewsline.org

The majority of radio amateurs want to keep the existing amateur radio
licensing regime or change to a longer license renewal period rather than
switch to a license for life,

If people want to play with the figures in that way...
More people want to change the licensing rules than want to keep it as it is.

Once you start adding together figures from different groups, you can make it what you want.
For example, how often does a Prime Minister or President get in power with over 50%?
As is usual for a government, more people wanted Tony Blair out than wanted him in! You can
only combine figures if you can combine the actions in the same way. Fine if you want to
divide power between two political groups, but you cannot combine keeping the same licence
rules with changing the length... it's either one or the other.


RESTRUCTURING: UK POLL SHOWS HAMS OPPOSE LICENSING FOR LIFE

Playing with figures that way shows that a much larger majority oppose the yearly licence. If
people want to use the figures that way then, as 52% are opposed to licensing for life while a
larger 71% are opposed to yearly licensing, there can be no choice but to change the licence.

Personally, I think that a longer period would be a good middle ground to take. Those wanting
a lifetime licence should not complain, as it is a move in their direction.
So, although 26% may be unhappy, the large majority of Amateurs should be happy with that
result. If that 26% cannot accept simply extending the period, which would still require
renewal, Maybe Ofcom could allow them to renew their licence yearly.
Why deny them the opportunity to fill in unnecessary paperwork and to throw money at the
Government.


Regards,

Peter.