In article , Mike Coslo writes:

N2EY wrote:
In article , Mike Coslo writes:

The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it
is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years.

I think it needs a bit of tweaking, but not a fullscale makeover as some
seem to think.

Agreed! Most proposals I have seen have been either too radical or too
complicated.

And tick off too many people.

When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Morse code was ascendant" - can you explain
a bit more?

At one time, if you were going to be a Ham, you were almost certain to
be using Morse CW as a major part of your Operating activities.

That was a long long time ago, Mike.

You can go back to the late 1940s or further and read histories of hams who got
their
Class B or C tickets and promptly went on 'phone from the getgo. Some were on
VHF/UHF,
some on 10-11 meters. Many quickly went for their Class A so they could do 75
and 20
'phone as well. (There was a one-year wait for Class A, but it required the
same 13 wpm code test).

There used to be a requirement that a ham actually operate Morse for a certain
amount of time in the months before renewing, but that was changed to simply
"operating" (any mode) about 1948 and eventually dropped altogether. And
"operating" could theoretically consist of just calling CQ...

There
was a time when the two major alternatives were AM or CW.

Yep - but except as noted above, there was no requirement to use either. And
while CW equipment gets the most out of the simplest, AM can be pretty simple
too. For example, back in the old 5 and 2-1/2 meter days, 3 tube "transceivers"
were popular with hams. These consisted of a 3 tube rig: one tube functioned as
a superregenerative detector on receive, and a modulated oscillator on
transmit. The other 2 tubes were a 2 stage aduio amplifier, used as the audio
chain on receive and the modulator on transmit. With a dynamotor or vibrapack,
could be used mobile, and with a decent antenna, one could work all over a
metro area and then some.

AM on HF cost more than an equivalent CW rig, of course, but with warsurplus
parts and low power the difference wasn't prohibitive for many hams,
particularly if they were satisfied with low power.

I would say that *any* knowledge or skill requires time to develop, whether
it's theory knowledge,
practical radio knowhow or Morse skills. Thus, there will still be a need
for several license classes.
I think there should be more levels than three, but FCC's action in 1999
makes it clear that's
probably a lost cause. So three classes it is:

One that's easy to get so that people can get started without having to
learn
everything in one go
One that gives full privileges and requires some serious knowledge
One intermediate step so that it's not a huge jump.

This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.


I agree 100%! Indeed, there is still criticism of the IL plan 36 years
after it
was put in place, and in many places from people who did not become hams
until long
after it was in effect!

One of these days I might come to the conclusion that there are a lot
of cranky hams out there! ;^)

Only on the internet.

It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.

Better yet, you render your enemies ineffective. But most of all you don't
anger your friends unnecessarily.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and
to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect
there.

I disagree!

Given the popularity of Morse code in amateur radio, it makes no sense to
not
have it be a part of the testing for a license. Imagine if there were no
questions on SSB
in the tests - would that make sense?

In the testing, yes, but I think a Fail Element 1 = no license is simply
a dog that isn't going to hunt.

No dog will hunt if nobody even asks it to. If we simply roll over and play
dead,
who can blame FCC if they simply drop Element 1?

The Morse Code test has been portrayed as the boogieman, as if it is the
source
of all of amateur radio's problems. Yet there is no proof of these claims.

It isn't the boogieman!

Exactly.

That's just an excuse for lack of effort (the
same thing Larry accuses me of!) We've already seen that some prime
agitators for elimination of Element one are now taking the next step
and supporting a radical easing of the writtens.

And just as I predicted, they're using the same arguments used against the code
test.

Nothing is easy enough. Remember what I said about the direction of the

tide some months back? I haven't seen anything to suggest I was wrong.

Nor I. But that doesn't mean we have to simply accept it. I don't.

I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.

This means all Techs have VHF/UHF only?

Yup. And it's a good idea. Gives those that might want to be on HF some
incentive, and they neither gain or lose privileges. Did everyone know
that there are Technicians out there that are perfectly happy with what
they have now?

Sure - been that way since 1951.

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.

What about Novice?

Oops, forgot the Novices. Yeah, they would retain the privileges they
have now. I really don't know how many people this will really affect.
Probably not too many active Novices any more.

There are more now than when I was one...

After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.

Perhaps, but what that does is to funnel newcomers into VHF/UHF rather than
HF.
And since VHF/UHF gear tends to be harder to homebrew and more complex than
HF
equipment, it tends to funnel newcomers to manufactured equipment. Also,
since there is
relatively little use of Morse Code for casual operating on VHF/UHF, it
tends to funnel newcomers
to FM voice operation.

Remember they will still have 6 meter operation available to them.

Sure - but how often does 6 open up when the spots are down? How easy is it to
build a 6 meter rig from scratch? How much routine, slow CW ragchewing is there
on 6?

But
I still like this because it is an incentive to upgrade. And with no
Element 1, what is the impedance to upgrading?

The written!

My point in the "funnel" stuff is that many people are heavily influenced by
first impressions. If they see hamshacks full of gear Made In Japan, that's
"normal" to them. If they think of ham radio as being local voice stuff using
FM, that's "normal". If they think of antennas as being little aluminum
things...you get the idea.

But if they start out with a wider range of choices...

General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.

Needs to have some serious HF centric stuff, though.

Good point. Consider it added.

Done

Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.

The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!

I'd say the experience requirements should be included.

Yippee! Got one person on board with that one! I really do think it's a

good idea, and it doesn't unduly punish anyone.

Some will say it does on the following grounds:

1) New ham has to attend at least 2 VE sessions. Can't get the Extra "right out
of the box". More work for ham and VEs

2) 2 years wait doesn't mean 2 years experience. License could just sit in a
drawer for 2 years.

3) Vanity calls

4) Perceived as a raising of requirements - hasn't been an experience
requirement since the mid 1970s.

Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.

I don't see the need for that. Better to open up some of the lower part of
the
bands for newcomers to use Morse.

The natural tendency is for Morse to be at the bottom of the band, data in
the
middle, and 'phone at the top. Rather than fight that trend, the newcomer
segments should reinforce it.

The Novice subbands were originally put in the middle of their bands in a
misguided effort to keep them from straying outside the band edges. Since
Novices were originally required to use crystal control, this made little
sense even in 1951.

This was one of the worst features of the old Novice. None of the Novice slots
were harmonically related, so you needed a different set of xtals for each
band. Indeed, the harmonics of the old 80 and 40 meter Novice segments were
completely outside the ham bands (except 10 meters) Woe to the Novice who
forgot and left a 40 meter rock in the rig and shifted to 15, or left an 80
meter xtal and shifted to 40! the rig would tune up just fine but be out of
band!

So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

I agree that massive changes and giveaways are a bad idea.

However, I think that one of the problems today is that the entry-level
license
is too VHF/UHF/voice/applicane operator-centric.
The entry level license should offer a wide selection of bands and modes,
rather than what we have now where newcomers get all of VHF/UHF but no HF.

I'm still big on the idea of a person having a good reason to upgrade.

That reason should be things like more power and more spectrum. Not HF vs.
VHF/UHF.

This does it, and allows a real entry level opportunity for people, yet
allows a niche for those who are happy to stay there. And there will be
plenty of people that will be happy to stay there.

Without a real reason to upgrade, I can't really support a three class
system. I don't think that there are enough different privileges to
offer between three classes, unless you make one of the privileges HF
access.

See my three class idea of some posts back.

And I can't really support power limits as a incentive to upgrade. It's

a forced distinction (keeping in mind that all distinctions are
arbitrary at some level) that I do not find acceptable.

Why not? The old Novice had a power limit of only 75 watts input. My first rig
(the Southgate Type 1) ran 10-15 watts input on 80, and would light a Christmas
tree bulb to full brilliance when tuned up right. Yet I made lots of QSOs and
had lots of fun.

RF safety and safety around high voltages is of critical importance for

amateurs. The RF field calculations are one thing, but to me even more
important is the potential for RF burns and B+ shocks.

All the more reason for power level as an incentive.

The power supply for the Type 1 was the cut-down chassis of an old Philco TV
set. 250 watt power transformer, 5U4 rectifier, big capacitors and choke. I had
enough sense at 13 not to get zapped.

The Technician is exposed to these dangers at events such as Field day
or contesting with other hams - I know I was.

For me the big danger was falling out of trees while putting up antennas. Never
did, though.

And while a Unlicensed person may be operating the equipment too, they
are much more likely to be afraid to touch anything but the PTT switch.
The Technician will be more likely to be careless through familiarity.

Again - all the more reason to have power level as an incentive.

I cannot in good conscience support a testing regimen that does not
test extensively for safety at the base level. And since the newly
minted Ham would have the knowledge of High-power levels and high
voltage, to limit them to low power would be arbitrary and punitive.

There's no test for working on 110/220 house current, which will easily kill
you stone cold dead.

So that is my rationale for a system that has three classes, HF access
for two of them, and doesn't penalize or overly promote anyone.

Which is pretty close to what we have now!

73 de Jim, N2EY

In article , Mike Coslo writes:



A few thoughts first:

There is going to be a change, of that there is no doubt. I still think

it is going to take a longer rather than shorter time. I see no reason
to change my prediction in the pool.

The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it

is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years. When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.


This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.

It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and

to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect there.

I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.

After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.

General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.


Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.


The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!


Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.


So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

- Mike KB3EIA -


*My version of the ideal plan in post Morse code era, would be a one
class system, with the requirements being somewhere between General and
Extra as practiced now.

Mike:

Sounds like the wishful thinking of a typical no-code whiner who is too
stinking lazy to learn a useful communications skill like the Morse code.
Nothing new here. Yawn!

73 de Larry, K3LT

Larry Roll K3LT wrote:

In article , Mike Coslo writes:



A few thoughts first:

There is going to be a change, of that there is no doubt. I still think


it is going to take a longer rather than shorter time. I see no reason
to change my prediction in the pool.

The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it


is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years. When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.


This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.

It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and


to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect there.

I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.

After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.

General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.


Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.


The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!


Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.


So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

- Mike KB3EIA -


*My version of the ideal plan in post Morse code era, would be a one
class system, with the requirements being somewhere between General and
Extra as practiced now.


Mike:

Sounds like the wishful thinking of a typical no-code whiner who is too
stinking lazy to learn a useful communications skill like the Morse code.
Nothing new here. Yawn!

Well, I'm not a no-code whiner, Larry. And I've learned Morse.

As I posted befo

Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see,
it's major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

And you appear to be one of those people that are already pretty angry.
How's that working out for you?

If I had my way, I would not end code testing at all. But it's almost
certain to happen. I'll be happy if it doesn't, but life will go on.

- Mike KB3EIA -

In article , "Dee D. Flint"
writes:

"N2EY" wrote in message
...

However, I think that one of the problems today is that the entry-level
license
is too VHF/UHF/voice/applicane operator-centric.
The entry level license should offer a wide selection of bands and modes,
rather than what we have now where newcomers get all of VHF/UHF but no HF.

73 de Jim, N2EY

Newcomers with any gumption can have some HF if they choose to pass the
code.

Well, I dunno if I'd call it "gumption". But yes, there's nothing that
*prevents*
a raw newcomer from getting an HF ham license "right out of the box".

Tech study guide and test does include some very basic questions on
HF propagation, procedures, rules, etc. Unfortunately too many instructors
ignore the HF side of things and don't bother to give much encouragement to
go after the code so then the students end up on VHF/UHF only. My
instructor, many moons ago, really emphasized going for the "complete" Tech
license (Novice written + Tech written + code). I'm glad he did.

Me too!

But even though it *can* be done, the license structure works against it. This
isn't a new thing - way back in the bad old days, one would sometimes hear of a
new ham going straight to General rather than mucking around with Novice. But
those
folks were very rare.

If you look at the "new licenses" listings at

http://www.ah0a.org

you'll see that each month a few new hams each month bypass Tech and go for
General or even Extra "right out of the box". But they are only a few, compared
to the thousands who start with Tech.

As you noted in another post, a multistep license is needed because most people
find a stepwise approach more doable and less intimidating than a one-shot
comprehensive exam. So most folks will take the upgrades in steps. The current
system actually pushes newcomers *away* from Morse and HF use by putting those
things father away.

The new ham who goes for Tech-with-HF finds that s/he has a mountain of VHF/UHF
privileges but only a tiny bit of HF. And while there are some HF questions in
the Tech pool, the focus is primarily on VHF/UHF - which it has to be, in order
to match the privileges.

IOW, to be blunt, the current license structure tends to make HF and Morse look
harder than they are, and to nudge newbies into getting on the local repeaters
rather than HF Morse. (Which *appears* easier to most newcomer - buying an HT
and taking it "out of the box* or learning Morse, putting up an antenna,
assembling an HF station with all the needed stuff and getting on 80/40 CW?)

73 de Jim, N2EY

N2EY wrote:
In article , "Dee D. Flint"
writes:


"N2EY" wrote in message
...

However, I think that one of the problems today is that the entry-level

license

is too VHF/UHF/voice/applicane operator-centric.
The entry level license should offer a wide selection of bands and modes,
rather than what we have now where newcomers get all of VHF/UHF but no HF.

73 de Jim, N2EY

Newcomers with any gumption can have some HF if they choose to pass the
code.


Well, I dunno if I'd call it "gumption". But yes, there's nothing that
*prevents*
a raw newcomer from getting an HF ham license "right out of the box".


Tech study guide and test does include some very basic questions on
HF propagation, procedures, rules, etc. Unfortunately too many instructors
ignore the HF side of things and don't bother to give much encouragement to
go after the code so then the students end up on VHF/UHF only. My
instructor, many moons ago, really emphasized going for the "complete" Tech
license (Novice written + Tech written + code). I'm glad he did.


Me too!

But even though it *can* be done, the license structure works against it. This
isn't a new thing - way back in the bad old days, one would sometimes hear of a
new ham going straight to General rather than mucking around with Novice. But
those
folks were very rare.

If you look at the "new licenses" listings at

http://www.ah0a.org

you'll see that each month a few new hams each month bypass Tech and go for
General or even Extra "right out of the box". But they are only a few, compared
to the thousands who start with Tech.

As you noted in another post, a multistep license is needed because most people
find a stepwise approach more doable and less intimidating than a one-shot
comprehensive exam. So most folks will take the upgrades in steps. The current
system actually pushes newcomers *away* from Morse and HF use by putting those
things father away.

The new ham who goes for Tech-with-HF finds that s/he has a mountain of VHF/UHF
privileges but only a tiny bit of HF. And while there are some HF questions in
the Tech pool, the focus is primarily on VHF/UHF - which it has to be, in order
to match the privileges.

IOW, to be blunt, the current license structure tends to make HF and Morse look
harder than they are, and to nudge newbies into getting on the local repeaters
rather than HF Morse. (Which *appears* easier to most newcomer - buying an HT
and taking it "out of the box* or learning Morse, putting up an antenna,
assembling an HF station with all the needed stuff and getting on 80/40 CW?)


Do you think that most new amateurs are willing to be boxed in like
that? I mean that after one contest with the club and I was determined
to get my General license. I suppose that different people might act
differently, but the privileges of my Technician license were EXACTLY
what made me go for my General license.

Satisfaction is highly overrated! ;^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

In article , Mike Coslo
writes:

If I had my way, I would not end code testing at all.

If I had my way, I would require a code test for all ham licenses.

But it's almost certain to happen.

And many of us will oppose it as long as there's a way to do so.

I'll be happy if it doesn't, but life will go on.

Yep.

73 de Jim, N2EY

On 13 Feb 2004 02:47:19 GMT, ospam (Larry Roll K3LT)
wrote:

snip

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

- Mike KB3EIA -


*My version of the ideal plan in post Morse code era, would be a one
class system, with the requirements being somewhere between General and
Extra as practiced now.

Mike:

Sounds like the wishful thinking of a typical no-code whiner who is too
stinking lazy to learn a useful communications skill like the Morse code.
Nothing new here. Yawn!

I doubt that many here would agree with your observation, Larry - I
have seen no evidence in this or any of his previous posts of either
whining about Morse or being too lazy to learn it.

OTOH, his posts - without exception, tend to be well thought out,
insightful and presented in a civil and friendly manner....qualities
which are the real definition of useful communications skills.

Your comment above, whether sent by Morse Code, TCP/IP, voice or
carrier pigeon, meets none of these criteria...not a single one.

Perhaps you're right - nothing new here. Yawn.


73 de Larry, K3LT

73, Leo

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message ...
No one commented on my proposal that I made earlier in the week. Perhaps
because it was hidden away in another thread (which I changed), or
perhaps it was stupid beyond belief.

I'll post it again in hopes of some feedback.


A few thoughts first:

There is going to be a change, of that there is no doubt. I still think
it is going to take a longer rather than shorter time. I see no reason
to change my prediction in the pool.

The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it
is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years. When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.


This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.

It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and
to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect
there.

I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.

After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.

General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.


Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.


The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!


Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.


So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

- Mike KB3EIA -



If Morse code testing goes, this is a pretty reasonable approach. However
several people have proposed even simpler plans. Simply drop the element 1
for the requirements for one or more levels and beef up the writtens. Leave
all else alone. Although no one knows what the FCC will do, my opinion is
that it will be one of the simplest proposals that will be adopted rather
than any restructuring.



*My version of the ideal plan in post Morse code era, would be a one
class system, with the requirements being somewhere between General and
Extra as practiced now.


Except that this is likely to slow the growth of ham radio rather than
increase the growth. Although the old incentive licensing scheme was
mishandled and many existing amateurs lost privileges, the growth increased
markedly as potential applicants saw that they could approach the license in
a stepwise fashion. If we were to return to a single license class for the
future, as you indicated the testing ought to be stiffer than the General
and that could deter people from ever becoming involved.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee D. Flint wrote:

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message ...

No one commented on my proposal that I made earlier in the week. Perhaps
because it was hidden away in another thread (which I changed), or
perhaps it was stupid beyond belief.

I'll post it again in hopes of some feedback.


A few thoughts first:

There is going to be a change, of that there is no doubt. I still think
it is going to take a longer rather than shorter time. I see no reason
to change my prediction in the pool.

The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it
is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years. When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.


This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.

It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and
to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect

there.

I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.

After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.

General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.


Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.


The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!


Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.


So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?

- Mike KB3EIA -




If Morse code testing goes, this is a pretty reasonable approach. However
several people have proposed even simpler plans. Simply drop the element 1
for the requirements for one or more levels and beef up the writtens. Leave
all else alone. Although no one knows what the FCC will do, my opinion is
that it will be one of the simplest proposals that will be adopted rather
than any restructuring.

I'm a little confused, Dee. What you just said is pretty much a
condensed version of what I was saying!

- Mike KB3EIA -

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Dee D. Flint wrote:

I'm a little confused, Dee. What you just said is pretty much a
condensed version of what I was saying!


I should have made it clearer. You were asking for a two year wait between
General and Extra. And that is a significant change.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE