"Thomas Horne" wrote in message
ink.net...
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...
On Mar 4, 9:10 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
"KH6HZ" wrote in message

...

There will ultimately be two classes of ham radio license.
Tech, and Extra.
Or Class A and Class B. A VHF+ entry-level license, and a license with
all
privileges.
Just as I suggested in my Y2K NPRM restructuring comments, I might
add.
I disagree. My bet is that we'll indeed have a de facto two level
license
system but I think they will be General and Extra.
I've been on record for a long, long time advocating a one license
"system." However, I've compromised with Hans suggestion of a simple
entry level license, and a full license. Whover said we needed more
license classes ought to have his head examined.


Well it's hard to say what the right number of classes is. I would
advocate two licenses: a 50 question General exam and a 50 question
Extra exam. The material in the Tech & General tests has enough overlap
and is basic enough that it would not be a big hardship on applicants to
master the combined material. Going straight from a Tech or other entry
level test to Extra is a huge jump in both quantity and complexity of the
material. It would certainly discourage a lot of people and might
increase the drop out rate.

Already our club is planning for future licensing classes to combine
these two. Of course, we'll have to create our own syllabus and figure
out how best to present the combined material. At this point in time,
there are no combined manuals that already address the material for both
license classes. In principle it would be similar to the Now You're
Talking book that was available prior to the 2000 changes, which combined
the Novice and Technician material in one integrated study guide such
that a person could study for both Novice and Tech writtens at the same
time. Our goal will be to not only help them get licensed, but to try for
General right out of the box.

As I see it, there simply is no longer a need for an "entry level"
license.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
If this comes across as quarrelsome then I apologize in advance.

Rest assured it does not come across as quarrelsome and presents some
interesting talking points.

The technician class license serves a useful purpose as a place for those
who are interested in local public service radio. I got two of my
Community Emergency Response Team members to take the weekend class to
prepare for the technician exam. Both of them passed and are now ready to
serve as Radio Telephone Operators (RTO) for there units. If training for
emergency communications service isn't a legitimate function of Amateur
Radio then nothing is. Not every one is interested in DX work. The
ability to talk across the area without depending on a rather complex and
brittle trunking or cellular system is attractive to some folks. The only
reason that I'm striking for the higher licenses is that I'd like to learn
more about radio and it's various modes of transmission.


Consider this though. Even though not interested in DX work, there may be
some need for long distance communications not just the ability to talk
across the local area. In Katrina, everything was down and upon occasion a
little bit more than just VHF/UHF was needed and used.

I favor keeping the three licenses but if we had to drop to two, my choice
would be General and Extra.

I believe that the present general is a little too light on the theory
however. I was able to prepare for the upgrade exam in only two weeks. I
was urged to take the element four exam when I turned in the element three
even if only to get an idea of what I was preparing for. It was very
humbling to take that element with no preparation but it did give me an
impression of the difficulty level of element four. From what I saw
something between the present general and the extra would be a good level
for the general test to be. A heavier emphasis on field measurement and
other aspects of Radio & Electric Safety would be one aspect to consider
making more demanding.
--
Tom Horne, KB3OPR/AG

Keep in mind though that as N2EY has said many people do not have all that
much background to build upon. I think the Tech and General writtens have
about the right amount of difficulty my self.

Dee, N8UZE