Hey Bill,

It looks like the long battle is just about over. Congratulations are
in order, even though I still disagree, but it was probably inevitable.
A grand new experiment will soon begin.

So, I guess the big question is what is NCI going to do next?

I remember old conversations with the previous prez in which I am
pretty sure it was said that you folks were going to go away after your
successful elimination of the the Morse code test requirement.
(organizationally speaking, that is!) I do definitely remember that we
were told that the sole purpose of NCI was elimination of the test.

Is dissolution still the target?

I've always thought, and still do, that one of the hardest things for
an organization to do is go away, even when they are successful in their
original purpose.

I predict that NCI will morph into something else. I'm certainly hoping
it isn't relaxation of the other test requirements!

- Mike KB3EIA -

Michael Coslo wrote:
Hey Bill,

It looks like the long battle is just about over. Congratulations are
in order, even though I still disagree, but it was probably inevitable.
A grand new experiment will soon begin.

just about over

So, I guess the big question is what is NCI going to do next?

keep on the few remaining nations

I remember old conversations with the previous prez in which I am
pretty sure it was said that you folks were going to go away after your
successful elimination of the the Morse code test requirement.
(organizationally speaking, that is!) I do definitely remember that we
were told that the sole purpose of NCI was elimination of the test.

Is dissolution still the target?

I've always thought, and still do, that one of the hardest things for
an organization to do is go away, even when they are successful in their
original purpose.

I predict that NCI will morph into something else. I'm certainly hoping
it isn't relaxation of the other test requirements!

- Mike KB3EIA -

Mike,
Comments below...

"Michael Coslo" wrote in
message ...
Hey Bill (K2UNK)
It looks like the long battle is just about over. Congratulations are in
order, even though I still disagree, but it was probably inevitable. A
grand new experiment will soon begin.

So, I guess the big question is what is NCI going to do next?

In the USA short term, it still isn't over until the FCC issues an R&O.
Internationally (the I in NCI stands for International) there are still
many countries that have not dropped all code testing.

I remember old conversations with the previous prez in which I am pretty
sure it was said that you folks were going to go away after your
successful elimination of the the Morse code test requirement.
(organizationally speaking, that is!) I do definitely remember that we
were told that the sole purpose of NCI was elimination of the test.

Is dissolution still the target?

My personal viewpoint is that once the USA ends code testing,
then the role of NCI will pretty much be completed...especally
since many other countries already have done so.

I've always thought, and still do, that one of the hardest things for an
organization to do is go away, even when they are successful in their
original purpose.

I predict that NCI will morph into something else.

I doubt it myself. I'm also an ARRL member and focus
my other ham policy opinions primarily though ARRL.
But, again, I can only speak for myself.

I'm certainly hoping it isn't relaxation of the other test requirements!

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.

Personally, I do like the idea of a broader entry/beginner
level license that allows more HF than the Tech does
now...but that's another issue and one that ARRL proposed.

Cheersm
Bill K2UNK
NCI Director
ARRL member/LGL

"Bill Sohl" wrote

I'm certainly hoping it isn't relaxation of the other test requirements!

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.

NCI Executive Director Carl Stevenson is on record as an enthusiastic supporter
of free passes for all Novices and Tech to General, and all Advanced to Extra
without further testing. As I recall, NCI submitted official comments of this
nature to the FCC. Sure smacks of "relaxation of test requirement for written"
to me.

73, de Hans, K0HB

K=D8HB wrote:
"Bill Sohl" wrote

I'm certainly hoping it isn't relaxation of the other test requiremen=
ts!

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.

NCI Executive Director Carl Stevenson is on record as an enthusiastic sup=
porter
of free passes for all Novices and Tech to General, and all Advanced to E=
xtra
without further testing. As I recall, NCI submitted official comments o=
f this
nature to the FCC. Sure smacks of "relaxation of test requirement for wri=
tten"
to me.

NCI has supported simplifng the maze of licenses out there so what?
=20
73, de Hans, K0HB

"Bill Sohl" wrote

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.


Bill,

Just to make sure I had not mis-characterized the NCI position, I checked their
comments to RM-10867, on file at FCC's web site. My recollection was accurate,
in that it expressed unconditional support of the proposal for free upgrades.

In my veiw such granting of instant upgrades from Technician to General for
almost a third-of-a-million licensees would make a mockery of the written
examinations..

Today the General exam requires passing two 35-question written examinations,
and the Technician requires passing only the simpler of those two exams.

The ARRL petition would essentially grant a one-time waiver of the second
(harder) of the examinations, in effect holding a one-day sale of "half-price"
General licenses to these 330,000 licensees. This is not some trivial "one-time
adjustment" --- in fact if it were adopted, the vast majority of the General
licensees would never have successfully passed the test required for that
license class!

In the world of "unintended consequence" the effect of this give-away would be
that the commission would have ipso-facto established that today's Technician
examination is perfectly adequate for a General class license, and the
credibility of the qualification structure in the Amateur Radio Service would be
destroyed (especially since these "new" Generals would presumably now receive
credit for the "General" written element when they proceed to upgrade to Extra).

73, de Hans, K0HB

K=D8HB wrote:
"Bill Sohl" wrote

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.


Bill,

Just to make sure I had not mis-characterized the NCI position, I checked=
their
comments to RM-10867, on file at FCC's web site. My recollection was acc=
urate,
in that it expressed unconditional support of the proposal for free upgra=
des.

In my veiw such granting of instant upgrades from Technician to General f=
or
almost a third-of-a-million licensees would make a mockery of the written
examinations..

in your view ok doesn't make it so

In mine for example giving the upgrade esp to those who have held the
leicense while it produces a retification of past in justices but the
FCC disagreed which isn't going to bother NCI or NCI members


Today the General exam requires passing two 35-question written examinati=
ons,
and the Technician requires passing only the simpler of those two exams.

The ARRL petition would essentially grant a one-time waiver of the second
(harder) of the examinations, in effect holding a one-day sale of "half-p=
rice"
General licenses to these 330,000 licensees. This is not some trivial "on=
e-time
adjustment" --- in fact if it were adopted, the vast majority of the Gene=
ral
licensees would never have successfully passed the test required for that
license class!

incorrect if they received the license then would have passed the
required test


In the world of "unintended consequence" the effect of this give-away wou=
ld be
that the commission would have ipso-facto established that today's Techni=
cian
examination is perfectly adequate for a General class license, and the

not really just would ahve showed, If the FCC had done it, that time in
service was also of value

credibility of the qualification structure in the Amateur Radio Service w=
ould be
destroyed (especially since these "new" Generals would presumably now rec=
eive
credit for the "General" written element when they proceed to upgrade to =
Extra).

of course they would and their would be no more or less credibility
than the current system their are always thoose saying the new license
holder did not earn it, nothing the FCC could have done and nothing
they can do will do change that

=20
73, de Hans, K0HB

KXHB:

I sympathize...

That is too drastic a change.

Most here probably remember the big stock market crash and the depression of
the 30's (I wasn't born yet--two decades later.) People jumped out of windows
and committed suicide in terrible ways--just imagine all the hams doing
this--would be anti-productive--end up with fewer licensees as a result of such
action by the FCC!

John

"KXHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Bill Sohl" wrote

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.


Bill,

Just to make sure I had not mis-characterized the NCI position, I checked
their comments to RM-10867, on file at FCC's web site. My recollection was
accurate, in that it expressed unconditional support of the proposal for free
upgrades.

In my veiw such granting of instant upgrades from Technician to General for
almost a third-of-a-million licensees would make a mockery of the written
examinations..

Today the General exam requires passing two 35-question written examinations,
and the Technician requires passing only the simpler of those two exams.

The ARRL petition would essentially grant a one-time waiver of the second
(harder) of the examinations, in effect holding a one-day sale of
"half-price" General licenses to these 330,000 licensees. This is not some
trivial "one-time adjustment" --- in fact if it were adopted, the vast
majority of the General licensees would never have successfully passed the
test required for that license class!

In the world of "unintended consequence" the effect of this give-away would
be that the commission would have ipso-facto established that today's
Technician examination is perfectly adequate for a General class license, and
the credibility of the qualification structure in the Amateur Radio Service
would be destroyed (especially since these "new" Generals would presumably
now receive credit for the "General" written element when they proceed to
upgrade to Extra).

73, de Hans, K0HB

John Smith wrote:
KXHB:

I sympathize...

That is too drastic a change.

Most here probably remember the big stock market crash and the depression of
the 30's (I wasn't born yet--two decades later.) People jumped out of windows
and committed suicide in terrible ways--just imagine all the hams doing
this--would be anti-productive--end up with fewer licensees as a result of such
action by the FCC!

John

that is rich of course iwas born 3 and half decades later than black
monday myself

"KØHB" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Bill Sohl" wrote

I'm certainly hoping it isn't relaxation of the other test
requirements!

I would personally oppose any such move and, I believe, I
am familiar enough with the other NCI directors to safely
say that none of them want relaxation of test requirements
for written.

NCI Executive Director Carl Stevenson is on record as an enthusiastic
supporter of free passes for all Novices and Tech to General, and all
Advanced to Extra without further testing. As I recall, NCI submitted
official comments of this nature to the FCC. Sure smacks of "relaxation of
test requirement for written" to me.

The support is/was for ONE-TIME free upgrades as proposed by
the ARRL petition and one or two others. No support was
given to any permananent relaxation of written tests by NCI.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK