|
What The NPRM Isn't
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 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 |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:55 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com