In article , Mike Coslo
writes:

N2EY wrote:

In article , Mike Coslo writes:

Now that the element 1 requirement is likely to go away, why do NCVEC,
ARRL, and even Hans' proposals simply set up a new caste system? There
is nothing wrong with levels of certification, but they should make some
sense.

Mike,

There are two reasons for low power/limited privileges for the entry level
license:

1) To simplify the tests needed for the entry-level license (if you can't
run more than X watts, or are not allowed on a certain band, you don't need
to
be tested on it)

Sure, but I'm not even close to convinced that any tests need or should

be simplified. I wonder if anyone can provide evidence that the those
giving the tests are being overburdened?

It's not about being overburdened, but about matching the test to the
privileges. Why test for 1500 W safety if only 100 W is allowed?

However, this does not mean that *all* safety questions should be removed -
just those connected with high power. And those high power questions must then
migrate to the next-higher class of license.

So it makes sense that if the entry-level test gets smaller, the next-level
test (General) must, of necessity, get bigger to contain the stuff removed.
Does the NCVEC petiton even mention this?

2) To give an incentive (challenge) to learn more and qualify for a higher
class license. (If the entry-level license conveys all privileges, why
bother to upgrade?)

But my idea, or non-idea does just that, without punitive power
restrictions based on what I consider bogus rationale. For those that
are happy to just ve on VHF and above, the Technician ticket is just the
thing. Want HF access? Take the General test! Without Element one, there
isn't anything to hold ya back.

Here's the problem:

What we have now is a VHF-UHF-centric entry level license. The privileges are
very heavily weighted towards the bands above 30 MHz and away from HF/MF. This
means that most new hams will start off on VHF/UHF.

And that means they will also start off with a local/regional focus, and almost
certainly with manufactured equipment.

The current Tech Q&A pool contains a wide variety of subjects - covered in very
little depth. The wide variety of privileges granted requires all those
questions. You and I may find them trivial, but some beginners may not. After
all, don't you know at least one "professional" who has not even obtained an
entry-level amateur license?

Wouldn't it make more sense for the entry-level license to contain a balanced
mix
of privileges, including significant HF as well as VHF/UHF privileges, coupled
with a test that matches the privileges granted? That way, new hams can sample
more of what ham radio has to offer.

For example, imagine the prospective ham who wants to build kits, restore old
gear or even homebrew from scratch. Which do you think would be a more
realistic first project - a simple HF rig or a simple VHF/UHF one? Which do you
think will result in more QSOs and more "reward" for the builder?

Yes, it's possible to work the world on VHF/UHF, but isn't it easier for a
beginner to do so on HF? Particularly with limited antennas?

That's the basic thinking behind many of the proposals. What they're really
trying to do is to reinvent the old Novice license. The Novice concept was to
have a very limited license to get people started, so they could
learn-by-doing, see what was what and then upgrade if they liked ham radio.

From what I see, simply removing Element 1 and letting the dust settle
is a better plan than either the NCVEC or ARRL plans.

I think way too much is made of Element 1 and way too little of other factors.

But consider this: Suppose FCC did just that (dropped Element 1 and let
everything else alone). And suppose we did *not* see a big sustained rise in
the number of new hams and the number of upgrades. That would prove, once and
for all, that Element 1 was *not* the problem at all! Some folks would be very
upset.....

Plus if that were done, it would be years before FCC got around to another NPRM
cycle. Remember all that "biennial review" stuff? Well, it's been just about 4
years since the 2000 restructuring took effect...


The term "caste" isn't really accurate, though. "Caste" is something a
person is born into and cannot escape, regardless of personal
accomplishment. "Class"
would be more accurate, because upward mobility is possible.

The term caste is used mainly for the class aspect, not based on the
religion aspect. Evil Extra's being reincarnated as CB'ers comes to
mind! ;^)

Very bad karma!

Point is, however, that "caste" implies something that a person cannot change.
That's simply not true of the situation we're describing.

The limitations on homebrewing and final voltage proposed by NCVEC are
unenforceable, pointless and would cut off Communicators from an important
part of amateur radio for no justifiable reason.

Agreed 100 percent!

This is a prime difference between the ARRL and NCVEC proposals. And it must be
opposed. No good can come of such requirements.

73 de Jim, N2EY