"Dee Flint" wrote in message
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"Bill Sohl" wrote in message
t...

wrote in message
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From: Bill Sohl on Dec 5, 6:48 am
As to a new beginners license, I (me alone) would
support that idea...but I think we need to approach
that concept slowly by the following path:

1. FCC drops code test as currently proposed
2. The ham community (ARRL, etc) monitors closely
the entrance/addition of new (i.e. never before) hams
and upgrades of existing hams for at least a couple of years.
3.After two years, we assess if any problem exists
regarding the ability to gain new hams.

Whatever. :-) First item is excellent. Second, okay.
Does there really need to be an "assessment" as in the
third? What "assessments" were done in the past?

Assessment, review, whatever. I personally think the
current 3 level license structure does not reflect a
good starting path for new hams because Techs are
(a) only allowed VHF, yet they have (b) power
privileges for full 1500 watts. My personal view is
to have a beginners license with a variety of HF
and VHF access and modes but with a limited power output
(say 200 watts or less).

The current 3 licenses and privileges are the
result of piecemeal change over time and the result has
some less than logical consequences regarding
privileges and entrance level testing when compared
to the Novice tests which we had for almost 50
years. YMMV. Bill K2UNK

Well I would propose dropping the Tech altogether and upping the General
written to 50 question test once the code is dropped. The difference in
technical material is not great and it's not that hard to memorize the
difference in privileges.

Sounds reasonable to me. My ultimate view/perspective...
we need a tiered license structure that makes sense.

Once the code is dropped, in the classes that I teach, I will combine the
material and encourage all the students to go straight to General. There
really won't be a need for an introductory license.

But they'll still need to approach the testing on a two element
basis.

My question to you...
should there be a true introductory license to bring
new hams, especially youth, to ham radio along the lines
of the previous Novice. THE only reason (IMHO)
that Novice ceased to be the entry level exam
was because Novice didn't get folks the majority of
repeater operation which is now a mainstay of
ham radio.

Back in the 50s and 60s (until '68 anyway) we really only
had 3 licenses: Novice, Tech and General with the ONLY
difference between Tech and General being
13 wpm vs 5 wpm...and that was until 1987.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK