"John Smith" wrote in message
news
Dee:

If the only difference between NC tech, and tech+ is the code, and there
is is no longer a code test, would logic dictate that the plus'es can
still hold a greater privilege than a tech?

Now, why would logic dictate their being two classes of tech, when there
does not exist any difference between the classes? Often you see this
kind
of insanity when the gov't becomes involved, you could argue that point,
and there
are no more tech plus licenses being issued, you could also argue that
point.

However, I think just as valid an argument would be that tech plus was ok
for some HF, now there is no code, so tech is now ok for the same HF
allowances.

However, I don't think you are going to find many who would care to argue
this point, there just is not enough interest in amateur radio at this
point, and the
argument is something of a "time sensitive" issue, it would have to be
argued
quickly--or not at all. As precedence is won by the dragging of the
feet...

John


Well whatever one personally believes, the FCC has made their position
clear. The distinction between Tech and Tech+ will remain as it currently
is. No code Techs will not have HF unless they upgrade to General. The
Techs with code (Tech+) will have the limited Novice HF privileges unless
they upgrade to General.

Based on the tone of the FCC's discussion, their goal is to drive people to
upgrade. They discussed how upgrading is part of fulfilling the basis and
purpose of amateur radio (i.e. the self training part).

Also think of this. Long ago (and before my time in amateur radio), there
was so much bitterness over people losing privileges in one of the
restructurings that the FCC probably did not want to make that mistake
again. On the other hand, there's been so much hulabaloo about no automatic
upgrades that they didn't care to make a mistake by increasing anyone's
privileges.

Actually it does make a kind of sense though. This way, everyone will have
had to take at least two tests of some kind to get on HF. Besides most of
the Tech+ who were both currently active and wanted more privileges have
probably upgraded to General by now.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE