N2EY wrote:
In article , Mike Coslo writes:


The present system is not "broken" It doesn't need fixed. It is what it


is, and is just one of those things that grew up over the years.


I think it needs a bit of tweaking, but not a fullscale makeover as some seem
to think.

Agreed! Most proposals I have seen have been either too radical or too
complicated.


When
Morse code was ascendant, there was a need for multiple license classes,
since Morse is one of those skills that takes time to hone, and it made
sense then to have a rank beginner level, and work up from there.


I'm not sure what you mean by "Morse code was ascendant" - can you explain a
bit more?

At one time, if you were going to be a Ham, you were almost certain to
be using Morse CW as a major part of your Operating activities. There
was a time when the two major alternatives were AM or CW.


I would say that *any* knowledge or skill requires time to develop, whether
it's theory knowledge,
practical radio knowhow or Morse skills. Thus, there will still be a need for
several license classes.
I think there should be more levels than three, but FCC's action in 1999 makes
it clear that's
probably a lost cause. So three classes it is:

One that's easy to get so that people can get started without having to learn
everything in one go
One that gives full privileges and requires some serious knowledge
One intermediate step so that it's not a huge jump.

This is the system we have however, and we tinker with it at our own
peril. We do not want to remove privileges, nor do we want to increase
privileges without any testing. The reduction issue seems to have been
proven by the Incentive licensing problem in the 60's, and giving away
free upgrades will only serve to anger people in the other direction.


I agree 100%! Indeed, there is still criticism of the IL plan 36 years after it
was put in place, and in many places from people who did not become hams until long
after it was in effect!

One of these days I might come to the conclusion that there are a lot
of cranky hams out there! ;^)



It is a foolish system that angers people on purpose. You don't anger
those who are your friends, you anger your enemies.


Better yet, you render your enemies ineffective. But most of all you don't
anger your
friends unnecessarily.

To have a Morse code test for entry into HF is not going to happen, and


to have a Morse code test for Amateur Extra doesn't make sense, given
that the Extra is the highest level license, and Morse code was at one
time required for the lowest level, Novice. There is a big disconnect there.


I disagree!

Given the popularity of Morse code in amateur radio, it makes no sense to not
have it be a part of the testing for a license. Imagine if there were no questions on SSB
in the tests - would that make sense?

In the testing, yes, but I think a Fail Element 1 = no license is simply
a dog that isn't going to hunt.


The Morse Code test has been portrayed as the boogieman, as if it is the source
of all of amateur radio's problems. Yet there is no proof of these claims.

It isn't the boogieman! That's just an excuse for lack of effort (the
same thing Larry accuses me of!) We've already seen that some prime
agitators for elimination of Element one are now taking the next step
and supporting a radical easing of the writtens.

Nothing is easy enough. Remember what I said about the direction of the
tide some months back? I haven't seen anything to suggest I was wrong.


I therefore propose a system that is quite like what we have now.
Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. Privileges the same.


This means all Techs have VHF/UHF only?


Yup. And it's a good idea. Gives those that might want to be on HF some
incentive, and they neither gain or lose privileges. Did everyone know
that there are Technicians out there that are perfectly happy with what
they have now?

The two orphan classes, Tech plus and Advanced, will remain where they
are, with privileges staying the same.


What about Novice?

Oops, forgot the Novices. Yeah, they would retain the privileges they
have now. I really don't know how many people this will really affect.
Probably not too many active Novices any more.


After the changeover, the new testing regimen will be:

Technician: heavy on RF safety, Light on electronics theory. Some
questions related to the VHF and UHF where the tech's will largely
operate The technician is considered a preparatory license, and will
give a good base of how to get on the air without frying yourself in the
process.


Perhaps, but what that does is to funnel newcomers into VHF/UHF rather than HF.
And since VHF/UHF gear tends to be harder to homebrew and more complex than HF
equipment, it tends to funnel newcomers to manufactured equipment. Also, since there is
relatively little use of Morse Code for casual operating on VHF/UHF, it tends to funnel newcomers
to FM voice operation.

Remember they will still have 6 meter operation available to them. But
I still like this because it is an incentive to upgrade. And with no
Element 1, what is the impedance to upgrading?


General: General test will scale back on the RF safety, and replace it
with more theory. Antenna questions and operating procedures. The never
entertaining band edge questions will get a few more questions.


Needs to have some serious HF centric stuff, though.

Good point. Consider it added.


Extra: more in depth treatment of theory. No band edge or safety
questions, at this point, if you don't know safety, you've already fried
your mind. questions demonstrating knowledge of different modes.


The only controversial part of my proposal is that there would be a 2
year wait between General and Extra. I could be persuaded to drop that
pretty easily!


I'd say the experience requirements should be included.


Yippee! Got one person on board with that one! I really do think it's a
good idea, and it doesn't unduly punish anyone.

Bands and sub bands:

At this point, the bands will remain the same. Bandplan adjustments
will be made. Novice sections will remain, and will be considered a
"practice ground" for those who want to learn Morse code. note: this may
actually be a way to kick start Morse code use.


I don't see the need for that. Better to open up some of the lower part of the
bands for newcomers to use Morse.

The natural tendency is for Morse to be at the bottom of the band, data in the
middle, and 'phone at the top. Rather than fight that trend, the newcomer
segments should reinforce it.

The Novice subbands were originally put in the middle of their bands in a
misguided effort to keep them from straying outside the band edges. Since
Novices were originally required to use crystal control, this made little sense
even in 1951.

So there you have it. Here is a plan that shouldn't p**s anyone off
that isn't *already* mad about something, and as far as I can see, it's
major disadvantage is that it isn't glamorous or exciting.

Is it the "ideal" plan?* Heck no! But it accomplishes moving past the
Morse code issue with a minimum of disruption, and has the side benefit
that we know it will work.

Comments?


I agree that massive changes and giveaways are a bad idea.

However, I think that one of the problems today is that the entry-level license
is too VHF/UHF/voice/applicane operator-centric.
The entry level license should offer a wide selection of bands and modes,
rather than what we have now where newcomers get all of VHF/UHF but no HF.

I'm still big on the idea of a person having a good reason to upgrade.
This does it, and allows a real entry level opportunity for people, yet
allows a niche for those who are happy to stay there. And there will be
plenty of people that will be happy to stay there.

Without a real reason to upgrade, I can't really support a three class
system. I don't think that there are enough different privileges to
offer between three classes, unless you make one of the privileges HF
access.

And I can't really support power limits as a incentive to upgrade. It's
a forced distinction (keeping in mind that all distinctions are
arbitrary at some level) that I do not find acceptable.

RF safety and safety around high voltages is of critical importance for
amateurs. The RF field calculations are one thing, but to me even more
important is the potential for RF burns and B+ shocks.

The Technician is exposed to these dangers at events such as Field day
or contesting with other hams - I know I was.

And while a Unlicensed person may be operating the equipment too, they
are much more likely to be afraid to touch anything but the PTT switch.
The Technician will be more likely to be careless through familiarity.

I cannot in good conscience support a testing regimen that does not
test extensively for safety at the base level. And since the newly
minted Ham would have the knowledge of High-power levels and high
voltage, to limit them to low power would be arbitrary and punitive.

So that is my rationale for a system that has three classes, HF access
for two of them, and doesn't penalize or overly promote anyone.

- Mike KB3EIA -