wrote in message
ups.com...
Kim wrote:
"Dee Flint" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
I find it interesting to note what is *not* part of the NPRM, despite
a
bunch of proposals that asked for changes beyond code testing:

- No change to the written tests at all

- No new entry-level license class

- No free upgrades or consolidations of existing licenses, except
that
all Technicians will essentially become Tech Pluses (in privileges
but
not in name).


After re-reading the NPRM, I'm no longer so sure of that as I was. The
appendix shows the new wording of the changed sections and the sections
that
show privileges have not been changed. So it may be that the FCC
intends
to
keep the distinction between flavors of Tech and make the codeless
Technicians upgrade to get any HF privileges. Their extensive
discussion
sections also seem to support that. Thirty pages including footnotes
is a
lot of details to digest.

If approach is true, there are a lot of Technicians in for a shock.

Anyway, I think the FCC needs to clarify that.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE



Ah! Here it is...wouldn't ya know it? OK, so you're thinking the NPRM
in
its submitted form, if accepted and passed, would mean that
Codeless Technicians would have to upgrade?

I agree with you--lots of folks in for a shock. I am now
intrigued enough
to look through there and see what it says.

My initial thoughts are that, to do so, would seem to open up a whole
can of
worms from a administration perspective. I mean, as it is, I
have to
produce the actual piece of paper to prove that I have the 5wpm
endorsement
(if I wanted to upgrade to General under the current licensing
structure).
That is, if I understand the "way it works." LOL

That's how it works now, Kim. But that piece of paper could be
an old license that says "Technician Plus", or a page from an
old Callbook, etc. Or a listing from the FCC database showing your
former license class as "Technician Plus".

So, there'd be more affected than just the No-Code techs, I
think. For
instance, I couldn't begin to even find my endorsement and I am not
sure
I'll ever be able to. That would mean, essentially, I am a
Codeless Tech?

Since the changes of April 2000, FCC has left it up to the Technician
licensee (!) to retain documentation that they
are/were Tech Pluses.

It would be the height of irony if, in fact, the FCC dropped
Element 1 yet kept non-code-tested Techs off of HF until
they got Generals or Extras.

Which is exactly what the NPRM says now that I've read it several times.
Each "flavor" of Technician maintains its current privileges. To gain
additional privileges will require taking the appropriate written test.
They remark that upgrading will require taking only the "simple" General
written exam.

In other words anyone who wants more privileges than they currently have
will have to take a test.


Of course the "simple" solution is to upgrade to General or Extra.


And as I read the comments in the NPRM, that is exactly what they want
licensees to do rather than give them any freebies at their current grade.
In other words they do not want people to be content with an entry level
license.

73 de Jim N2EY


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE