robert casey wrote:
. At this point in time I think they can, but it depends on
one's
definition of 'too many'.

In what ways is the code test a nuisance to the FCC?

Used to be the waivers for 13wpm, but that's no longer.

How were they a nuisance?

And in another sense, as VEs do all the testing, any of
the tests are of little nuisance to the FCC. Every so
often some VEs cheat, but that's another issue.

Exactly! All FCC does is approve new questions for the pools.
VEs and QPC do the grunt work.

As for what knowledge should be tested for, as we are
allowed to modify/build/hack our equipment we should know
how to determine performance of our transmitters and such
so we don't splatter/trash the RF spectrum.
Also TVI issues.
Also need to know safety issues, high voltage and RF.
Rules and regs, what constitutes deliberate interference
and what is just life on a crowded band. That ham radio is
stly
2 way comms (no broadcasting, no music). 3rd party rules
and such for HF access licenses.

All of that is tested for in the Technician exam, isn't it?
Techs have all amateur radio operating privileges above 30 MHz,
so all that stuff must, by definition, be contained in the
35 question Technician written test. Even some HF stuff must
be in the Tech test because Techs who pass or have passed
Element 1 get some HF privileges.

In fact, FCC *decreased* the written exam for Tech back in 2000 by
about 46%.

Heard it said that the FCC finds that hams are for the most
part well behaved and don't require much enforcement actions
compared to other services.

Probably true - because hams tend to follow the rules even if no one is
watching. A big part of that is tradition and the 'culture of values'
in amateur radio, IMHO.

73 de Jim, N2EY