RadioBanter - View Single Post

February 14th 04, 01:29 AM

On 14 Feb 2004 00:05:49 GMT, (Len Over 21) wrote:

In article , Leo
writes:

What about the input from nonhams? Or is commentary limited to those already
licensed?

As above, the post-WRC 03 changes would affect only those currently
engaged in the hobby - I believe that no non-ham input has been
requested at this time.

The code test requirements very much affect the "non-hams." Those
that do not care for any morse code test or those that cannot do any
sufficient morse would be affected in that they would not bother
trying to get a license grant.

Good point. I was thinking more of the impact of removing code (per
the WRC-03 decision) not having a (negative) impact. You are correct,
there would be an impact on non-hams should IC choose to retain code,
even though no longer required...I missed that possibility!

Radio amateurs who have already achieved the top "upgrade" license
class in their country would NOT be affected in their privileges. Their
only "affect" is a psychological disturbance due to newcomers not
having to do exactly as they did many years ago.

True as well. Those who achieved their license under a more rigorous
testing scheme will naturally see any reduction in testing
requirements as an erosion of standards, and will be offended by it.
That is simple human nature. Most affected by this are the folks at
the top level of licensing. Which makes sense - they put in the
greatest effort under the old system.

I don't know that much about Industry Canada's charter in Canadian
law but the FCC is NOT required to provide psychological sustenance
to already-licensed radio amateurs.

Exactly the same in this regard. They regulate, not placate....

At present, the majority expressed opinions of radio amateurs both
in here and elsewhere treat the hobby activity of amateur radio as a
glorified fraternal order insofar as requirements in law are concerned.
The FCC is not chartered as a fraternal order, is merely a radio
regulating agency.

Amateur radio is not a vital need or concern for any nation's security
or safety or well-being, regardless of the emotional spins turning
around from existing amateur fraternal orders. It is a fun hobby,
a relaxing (to most) avocation involving radio activity. Some poor
souls cannot be satisfied with anything but a fantasy mindset of ham
radio as an entire raison d'etre, a reason for existance. Those
mentalities will never be satisfied, cannot compromise in anything
unless all test for and be granted licenses exactly as they had to
endure once upon a time. They are outraged, fed up, cannot take it
anymore the minute anyone puts forth a change in regulations they
do not like.

Yup - there is clearly a notion that everyone who is not subjected to
the same rigorous testing as they were years ago is somehow getting a
free ride. What isn't being adequately taken in to account are the
underlying reasons for simplification, elimination or change of the
various test elements.

If ALL the commentary on new regulations come only from already-
licensed amateurs, then this is NOT adhering to good democratic
principles of federal rule. It is merely going by very long established
tradition of the insular fraternal order ruling only itself by itself. That
is
fine for fraternal orders...except no amateur radio service in any
country that I'm familiar with requires their governments to regulate
amateur radio as or by fraternal order principles.

I believe that IC was simply giving the amateur community first chance
to voice their opinion - not from the perspective of a closed shop per
se, but because they wanted to hear the opinions of those currently
involved in the hobby before they decided what to do next. I'm no
expert in the inner workings of the government here, but I believe
that NPRM is the next step, and public comment is requested at that
stage.

Remember, with no incentive licensing scheme here, the perception of a
'class structure' of a hierarchical nature is not nearly as prevalent.
Most of the folks I have talked to welcome the elimination of code
testing - after all, it isn;t code that is being eliminated, just the
mandatory practical test - which only survived as far as 2003 because
of the ITU requirements. In the poll submitted from the amateur
community to IC, almost two thirds of the lecensed amateurs here want
code testing dropped from our requirements! Approximately the opposite
of the ARRL numbers bandied about here....

BTW, a question - does the FCC operate based entirely upon democratic
principles? From what I'm hearing on the group, specifically WRT
incentive licensing several years ago, they seemed to ignore the will
of the majority and come up with something on their own.....which
seems to have annoyed everyone. Oh well, at least they got everyone
to agree on something!

LHA / WMD

73, Leo