In article ,
(N2EY) writes:

Alun wrote in message
. ..
(N2EY) wrote in
om:

Alun wrote in message
. ..
(N2EY) wrote in
:

In article , Alun
writes:

(N2EY) wrote in news:c2356669.0401191008.a3c8376
:

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

Summary:

3 classes of license: Novice, General, Extra

The _only_ merit to that is that testing was free for Novices, so it
would reintroduce a free licence class.

Not part of the proposal as I read it.


As I understand it, the law providing free testing for Novices remains
on the books. Hence, it really does matter what the entry level
licence is called. If it is re-named 'Novice', then the test is free.

No, it's not part of the proposal, and having since read the whole
thing on the ARRL web site, it appears that the league haven't thought
about this particular wrinkle, as they say that the name is still open
and it could be called something else.

Unless K0HB is mistaken, no such rule exists in Part 97. And since no
new Novices have been issued in almost 4 years, it's a bit of a moot
point.

But it might be a nice thing for VECs to do...

The new Novice would replace the existing Technician class as the
entry level exam. It would have less power and fewer VHF/UHF
privileges, but more HF privileges.

Provided the new class that happened to
be called Novice had Tech Plus privileges and they had to pass the
current Element 2 I would have no trouble with that

Why?

I thought the old Novice was too easy

Why? The old 20-25 question Novice I took in 1967 at the age of 13 was
adequate to keep me out of trouble, even though my first station was
homebrewed from junk parts. And that Novice license started me on the
path to Advanced in about a year, Extra in about 3 years and BSEE in
a little over 8 years....

And there were many many Novices like me. If an entry level license
keeps the newbies out of trouble and inspires them to learn and do
more, isn't that just about perfect?

Well?

Think about it - what exactly *should* an entry-level license do?

Here's a few suggestions on what they "should" do -

1. When meeting an Extra in person, always salute and show
respect at all times as required by the Geneva Convention.

2. Always call Extras "sir" or "madam" as the case may be,
always using military courtesy. After all, amateur radio IS a
service..

3. If an Extra wants to use the frequency you are operating on,
apologize and immediately QSY to another frequency. The
bands really belong to him.

4. Allot 10 percent of one's income to the League. This is the
the tithe that binds better than duct tape.

5. Always defer to the Extra's desires. If they like a particular
boatanchor, profess to show an interest in the clunker and
praise them for their choice. If they can afford a top-of-the-
line expensive transceiver, express deep envy for same and
congratulate them on being able to go into hock to get it.

6. Above all, profess a deep and sincere love for morse code, the
most elegant and sophisticated means of communications used
by amateurs today. Always say you are working hard on code to
demonstrate your committment to the ideals of the amateur
community.

7. Remember that the Extra is Always Right in technical matters
and never ever contradict him/her even if they make a moronic
mistake about any radio theory or amateur regulations. Their
rank/status/privilege plus that important certificate (suitable for
framing) from the federal government shows that They Are Right.

8. In the Amateur Service try to remember General Order #1 - You
will walk the bands in a military manner being always on the
alert for "the rare one" and always deferring to an Extra's need to
play on your frequency whenever they wish.

9. Never ever use any jargon or phrases that were not used in
amateur radio prior to 1940. Use morse mode abbreviations
wherever possible in written communications...to show a
dedication and committment to the amateur way and that you
belong with them, heart and soul. Even thinking of using 10
codes will get you excommunicated without forgiveness.

10. Always treat CB users as river bottom scum and call them all
bad names and do not permit them to drink from the same
water fountains as you do. They deserve to ride in the back of
the EM bus...as they have for 46 years.

LHA / WMD