In article ,
(N2EY) "summarized" what is publicly referencible
and pretends to write "news:"

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/01/19/1/?nc=1

Summary:

3 classes of license: Novice, General, Extra

Only the name of "Technician" changed to "Novice" in order to preserve
the lesser class (in the BoD's mind). Otherwise the present regulations
have only THREE classes of new licensees NOW.

5 wpm code test retained for Extra only

One small step for the BoD, not a giant leap for newbies.

Existing Advanceds get free upgrade to Extra, Techs
and Tech Pluses get free upgrade to General

ARRL needs membership revenue...they have to pander to just about
all of the lesser classes! :-)

'Phone image subbands for 80/40/15 widened slightly

Grudging acceptance of present-day practices. :-)

Old Novice subbands replaced by additional CW/data
and 'phone subbands on 80/40/15. Novices also get
privs on 6, 2, 222, and 440

Novice power level set below that requiring RF exposure
evaluation

Novice test to be 25 questions on "basics", General to be
derived from Tech and General, Extra pretty much as-is.

Okay, so the BoD is slowly, painstakingly "advancing" to the
present day. They ought to be about in the 1970s by now.

Hiram forbid that anyone EVER remove the code test requirement!

Such a thing is unheard of! Sacrilege to old T.O.M.!

Now is the time for all the League syncophants to chant and do
their mantra for the "forward-looking League doing its best for what
is best for U.S. amateur radio." They can do no wrong.

Gotta love it!

LHA / WMD