"Bill Sohl" wrote:

I tend to agree with that prediction since Novice already had code credit
and the only thing between the Novice and Tech has been the written
test itself. If a Novice hasn't upgraded in the last 5 or 10 years,
odds are they have dropped from the ham radio ranks already.

I disagree somewhat. There will always be a segment which is 'inactive', but
will keep their license active so they can pick it up again someday when
they want.

After the restructuring of 2000, I wondered why we didn't see a mass-exodus
from the General and the Advanced ranks to Extra. There has been a continual
decrease in the General/Advanced licenses and increase in the Extra class,
but not as much as I would have expected. Without that nasty, 'hard' 20wpm
code test, wouldn't you expect those licensees to flock to Extra?

Perhaps a segment of those licensees are either inactive, or simply happy
with the operating privileges they have and have no need to upgrade? If so,
wouldn't those same reasons apply to some Novices not upgrading?


My wish for the New Year is that this forum once again become a
place for rational thought and discussion. The personal attacks
and other slimeball commentary by those who know who they are
should end.

When you put most of the nitwits in your killfile, the group is surprisingly
quiet and civil

73
KH6HZ