RadioBanter - View Single Post - How many licenses should there be, why and what privileges?

December 28th 05, 04:15 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.policy

an_old_friend wrote:
wrote:
Bill Sohl wrote:
Scattered around several other threads there have been several
dialogs as to how many licenses the USA should have for
amateur radio.

The options suggested so far seem to be:

(a) 1 License
(b) 1 License plus a "lerner's license"
(c) 2 Licenses plus a "lerner's license"
(d) 3 Licenses
(e) 3 Licenses plus a "lerner's license"

What I wonder about these is how the individual
proponents of each would set the "difficulty
level" of each in comparison to current Tech/Gen/Extra
AND how they see privilege differences (in terms
of power levels and/or band segments and modes)
in multiple license options.

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK

(b) one license, one learner's permit.

License exam at the present General exam level, Called Amateur. All
privs, 10 year renewable. Just like way back when.

Leaner's permit called Limited, nonrenewable, ever. Term is 2 years.
No grace period. If you want back in, you pass the "General" exam.

Limited to 100W ERP on HF, except 5MHz limited to 50W ERP, and 50W ERP
on VHF+.

why any power limits? has anyone realy hurt themseles on high power as
newbiee ham in recent year or harmed anyone else with it?

just curious

For the learner's permit? To simplify the body of knowledge for
operating and for the exams, and for operational safety. Harm is not
always immediately apparent and may take years of exposure to show
itself. The lower power limits allow the learner to forego the
environmental assessment and still operate a station safely.

If there is no real distinction between the "Limited" and the "Amateur"
licenses, then I sugest we drop the Limited and keep only the Amateur
at the General knowledge level.

Participation on 5MHz limited to emergency training nets and emergency
nets.

All mode privs except power, no automated or robot stations, no
repeater control.

Thanks for asking.