"N2EY" wrote

Hans' proposal is nothing like what's in the KL7CC paper. But Hans'
proposal
has at least one major problem: forced upgrading.

Is forced upgrading a "major problem"? The Novice license is widely
acknowledged to have been the best licensing idea the FCC ever had. It
admitted people to the hobby with a sort of "learner permit" in which they
could learn some skills and meet other experienced hams "on the air". It
expired after one year and was not renewable. If it had any fault, it was
that it tended to isolate newcomers into little "ghettos" mostly frequented
by other newcomers.

My "learner permit" is different than the old Novice license in 4 ways:

1) Rather than isolate the newcomers into narrow little band segments
crowded with mostly other newcomers, it gives them expanded privileges
on all bands.

2) Rather than expiring in 1 year, it would expire after 10 years, giving
them more time to "gain their wings".

3) Power would be limited to 50 watts (in line with prevailing RF exposure
doctrine.)

What "major problem" lies in that? (Give me **your**version of the problem,
not what you think the FCC version of the problem would be.)

73, de Hans, K0HB