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On 30 Sep 2003 15:12:12 -0700, (N2EY) wrote:

by that logic, most of the General and Extra written exams are also
"government-subsidized life-support system for an anachronism" and/or
"a welfare program".

You've been dangling the above for a few days now. Sorry, I don't buy
it. One of the principles that makes up the Basis And Purpose of the
ARS is "Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio
service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts."

The design of modern communications equipment is based on digital
electronics. Learning about digital electronics, therefore, is in
keeping with the Basis And Purpose.

There's nothing in the Basis And Purpose about telegraphy.

FCC has already allowed that "because the amateur service is
fundamentally a technical service, the emphasis on Morse code
proficiency as a licensing requirement does not comport with the basis
and purpose of the service."

(Both quotes above are from FCC's report & order on the last round of
restructuring in the ARS)

Clint has subsequently elaborated on his comment, citing government
subsidizing of the agricultural industry as one example, demonstrating
that this is in fact what he had in mind as well.

What major industry in this country is *not* subsidized in some way?

Um, well, there's the porn industry, I suppose...but other than that,
you're right, there's a lot of subsidizing going on. However, that
doesn't mean that I, or anyone else for that matter, wants the
government to select my recreational activities for me on my behalf.
I'll make my own choices, thank you.

Now, then...once the government has stopped subsidizing the
manufacture and testing of CW operators by eliminating the code test,
how do you think we should reallocate the Novice subbands?

Reallocate them as special digital experimental subband. Allow any
documented digital mode that will fit in the subbands to be used
there. Including digital voice, image, and yes, Morse Code/CW. No
arbitrary limits on occupied bandwidth or symbol rate as long as the
signal fits inside.

If somebody wants to run "PSK-3100" and they can document it for FCC,
fine, let 'em have at it.

I don't agree with unlimited signal bandwidths on HF - that means one
guy trying out some ultrawide digital mode wipes out the whole subband
and nobody else can experiment until he's through playing around. Not
just locally, but if the band is open, the subband's wiped out over a
significant portion of the planet.

I could agree with this on the microwave bands, though, where the
signals don't travel as far and there are far fewer users in line to
use the spectrum that is available.

Meanwhile, give the Novices and Tech Pluses more HF space than those
four little slots.

I definitely agree with that.

73 DE John, KC2HMZ
Tonawanda, New York

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