On Sep 13, 7:56*pm, AJ Lake wrote:

My moaning was because of the *unfairness* of the incentive licensing
frequency changes. I passed an examination for General and I expected to be
able to use those General frequencies. Then they took away half the General
frequencies. Even these many years later (even after having regained those
lost frequencies) I think it was an unfair change.

They took away half of the General *phone* frequencies on 75, 40, 20
and 15 meters. And 25 kHz of the 80, 40, 20 and 15 meter CW/data
frequencies.

I remember the moaning back then. Basically it came down to the idea
that many hams felt they'd earned the right to full privileges forever
by passing the General test, and shouldn't be required to pass any
more tests.

btw, I earned my Advanced in the summer of 1968 and had full
privileges for a few weeks until the rules changed in November 1968.

Some may moan that the FCC now gives advanced licenses with no code test and
modern hams don't have to work as hard for the license as hams in years
past. Which is true. And some may moan that people can now get an advanced
ham license by memorization without knowing the advanced electronics
pretended in the testing. Which is true. But not me because it takes nothing
away from privileges already earned.

The problem is that changes in the requirements change the nature of
the ARS. Not right away, but over a long time.

I have an idea (analogy). How about we institute an Extra Plus license.
Forget the code test because it's obsolete.

But hams still use Morse Code...

But to make sure that the
applicant is really qualified he must pass a *real* electronics/digital
test, one that can't be passed by memorization. No answer sheets. At the FCC
office like in the old days.

Won't happen because FCC won't take on that job again.

73 de Jim, N2EY