I find it interesting to note what is *not* part of the NPRM, despite a
bunch of proposals that asked for changes beyond code testing:

- No change to the written tests at all

- No new entry-level license class

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges but
not in name).

- No "refarming" of subbands, nor expansion of license privileges
except the above-mentioned Techs-get-Tech-Plus-privileges change

And now the big one

- "Entry-level-licensd" hams (for lack of a better term that includes
Novices, Technicians and Tech Pluses) will still have
very limited HF privileges. Ironically, they will have only
Morse Code/CW on small segments of 80, 40 and 15 meters, plus
SSB and Morse Code/CW on a somewhat bigger slice of 10 meters.

No digital/data/image modes, no FM on HF at all - even though most of
those "entry-level-licensed" hams have all privileges above 50 MHz. No
access to five of the HF/MF bands at all.

Seems FCC went for "minimum change".

Is that the best we can do?

73 de Jim, N2EY

-

wrote:
I find it interesting to note what is *not* part of the NPRM, despite a
bunch of proposals that asked for changes beyond code testing:

- No change to the written tests at all

- No new entry-level license class

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges but
not in name).

- No "refarming" of subbands, nor expansion of license privileges
except the above-mentioned Techs-get-Tech-Plus-privileges change

And now the big one

- "Entry-level-licensd" hams (for lack of a better term that includes
Novices, Technicians and Tech Pluses) will still have
very limited HF privileges. Ironically, they will have only
Morse Code/CW on small segments of 80, 40 and 15 meters, plus
SSB and Morse Code/CW on a somewhat bigger slice of 10 meters.

No digital/data/image modes, no FM on HF at all - even though most of
those "entry-level-licensed" hams have all privileges above 50 MHz. No
access to five of the HF/MF bands at all.

Seems FCC went for "minimum change".

Is that the best we can do?

73 de Jim, N2EY


Typical FCC bandaid fix that will leave in it's wake more problems than
the one it solves.

wrote in message
oups.com...
I find it interesting to note what is *not* part of the NPRM, despite a
bunch of proposals that asked for changes beyond code testing:

- No change to the written tests at all


While I wish something had been included to keep the overall level of effort
up, this does not surprise me.

- No new entry-level license class


Here I happen to agree with the FCC's discussion. It's not needed as the
current entry requirements are not prohibitive.

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges but
not in name).


Are you sure of that? Originally, I thought so too but the wording of the
NPRM is not clear. It says no one will gain privileges and no one will lose
privileges. Perhaps the Tech with code (Tech Plus) will simply become a
closed class like Novice and Advanced. Personally, if their doing away with
the code, I think they might as well consolidate all Techs at the Tech Plus
privilege level.

- No "refarming" of subbands, nor expansion of license privileges
except the above-mentioned Techs-get-Tech-Plus-privileges change


The refarming of subbands is a separate issue and should be treated
separately. An expansion of privileges is not needed since the upgrade
route will be even easier.

And now the big one

- "Entry-level-licensd" hams (for lack of a better term that includes
Novices, Technicians and Tech Pluses) will still have
very limited HF privileges. Ironically, they will have only
Morse Code/CW on small segments of 80, 40 and 15 meters, plus
SSB and Morse Code/CW on a somewhat bigger slice of 10 meters.

No digital/data/image modes, no FM on HF at all - even though most of
those "entry-level-licensed" hams have all privileges above 50 MHz. No
access to five of the HF/MF bands at all.

Seems FCC went for "minimum change".


Here again, I agree with the FCC's discussion. They entry level hams can
gain all this by taking a simple written test to get their General ticket.
Besides these privileges make a nice incentive to upgrade.

Is that the best we can do?


Do we really need to do more on the code issue? There are already other
proposals around to address refarming, etc.

73 de Jim, N2EY

As I've stated before, I think it will become a defacto two license class
system. People will upgrade to General soon after passing their Tech test.
Personally, any Tech classes that I teach after the change goes through will
be a combo class. During the first half of the session, I'll teach the Tech
material and during the second half, the related General material. I will
actively encourage my students to go for General right from the get go.

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.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

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.

Then how far till 1? Then none?

73

Steve, K4YZ

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.

Then how far till 1? Then none?

typical always accusing folks of trying to eleiminate licenss all
together

but their certainly are virtues to 1 Class of license esp in POV of the
FCC, but also for hams maybe that would finaly end the classism of
Hamradio

73

Steve, K4YZ

an old friend wrote:

but their certainly are virtues to 1 Class of license esp in POV of the
FCC, but also for hams maybe that would finaly end the classism of
Hamradio

What will end is the decades old tradition of self-training.

No Incentive = No Advancement. An eons-old proven fact.

Steve, K4YZ

K4YZ wrote:
an old friend wrote:

but their certainly are virtues to 1 Class of license esp in POV of the
FCC, but also for hams maybe that would finaly end the classism of
Hamradio

What will end is the decades old tradition of self-training.

No Incentive = No Advancement. An eons-old proven fact.

i guess we have your excuse


Steve, K4YZ

wrote in message
oups.com...
I find it interesting to note what is *not* part of the NPRM, despite a
bunch of proposals that asked for changes beyond code testing:

- No change to the written tests at all

The VEC organization has full authority to change written
tests (e.g. specific questions, subjects, etc) without any FCC
action needed. The NPRM specifically mentioned the
process is much quicker than rule making via the FCC.

- No new entry-level license class

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges but
not in name).

I'll have to read the NPRM again. I didn't come to that
conclusion myself.

- No "refarming" of subbands, nor expansion of license
privileges except the above-mentioned Techs-get-Tech-
Plus-privileges change

Didn't the FCC mention that was being considered under
different RMs?

And now the big one

- "Entry-level-licensd" hams (for lack of a better term that includes
Novices, Technicians and Tech Pluses) will still have
very limited HF privileges. Ironically, they will have only
Morse Code/CW on small segments of 80, 40 and 15 meters, plus
SSB and Morse Code/CW on a somewhat bigger slice of 10 meters.

No digital/data/image modes, no FM on HF at all - even though most of
those "entry-level-licensed" hams have all privileges above 50 MHz. No
access to five of the HF/MF bands at all.

Seems FCC went for "minimum change".

Seems that way to me too.

Is that the best we can do?

What else do you want?

Cheers
Bill K2UNK

Bill Sohl wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
cut

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges but
not in name).

I'll have to read the NPRM again. I didn't come to that
conclusion myself.

I read it as Techs get the old tech plus preveldges and the title tech

cut
Is that the best we can do?

What else do you want?

Code testing and others wanting a Public flogging to make folks suffer
in order to gain HF previlgeds of course


Cheers
Bill K2UNK

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