wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 3, 11:30 pm, "
wrote:
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CODELESS "REVOLUTION"

Based solely onwww.hamdata.compublished statistics from
22 February to 3 March 2007, there doesn't seem to be the
kind of "revolution" nor the influx of CB hordes expected
by the long-timers. Specifically, the table below uses the
small block of daily statistics that appears to the left of
the license class totals. Since the data of the data
is derived from FCC database files, the numberic values
represent daily quantities from FCC actions the day befo

NEW EXPIRED UPDATES CALL CHG. CLASS CHG
=== ======= ======= ========= =========
22 Feb, Thu. 174 172 894 49 88
23 Feb, Fri. 78 83 432 5 44
24 Feb, Sat. 190 127 494 47 121
25 Feb, Sun. 1 95 195 20 13
26 Feb, Mon. 0 0 58 0 0
27 Feb, Tue. 144 2 700 13 347
28 Feb, Wed. 99 168 846 44 89
1 Mar, Thu. 138 203 783 13 369
2 Mar, Fri. 87 204 729 12 346
3 Mar, Sat. 85 168 724 83 270

NEW = Never before licensed or retest after long absence
EXPIRED = Past the two-year grace period
UPDATES = Renewals, address changes, adminstrative
changes, not 'upgrades' to another class
CALL CHG = Changed call sign of existing license
CLASS CHG = Changed class of license (mostly 'upgrades')

Numbers for 25 and 26 Feb idicate the weekend off for FCC;
Expirations would probably be automatic as a result of
computer check of pre-determined grace period end. The
Updates column may be a result of more automation from
renewals received and thus might be due to just computer
activity automatically changing the licensing dates.

Tuesday the 27th probably indicates the beginning of the
"deluge" of VEC input that arrived on the Monday before.
The sudden jump in Class Changes is no doubt from existing
"lower" class Techs or Tech Plusses moving up to General.
What is interesting is that there don't seem to be ANY
significant change of NEW licensees' daily numbers. Those
have overwhelmingly come from unlicensed entering the Tech
class and have been at a constant increase since Tech was
created in 1991. The totals of Technician class HAVE
started to drop since the 23rd of February and continue
to decrease slowly; it is very certain that class'
licensees have upgraded to General or Extra now that there
is no code test requirement.

Whatever, it seems clear at a week after 06-178 became
legal that there isn't much of any influx of newcomers.

In the last 12 monthswww.hamdata.comreports that 22,609
NEW licensees entered. In the same period, 29,096 licenses
EXPIRED. Licensee grand total dropped by 6,487 in that
past period. A good thing or bad one?



Eventually, they'll all be Extras and my wish for a one class amateur
radio service will be fulfilled. We should change the name of that
license to: Amateur.



While I agree that a significant percentage will go on to Extra, I also
think that there will be a noticeable percentage who will stay at General.
Unless you are into contesting or DXing, there is not a lot of advantage to
getting an Extra.

Dee, N8UZE

On Mar 4, 9:00 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...





On Mar 3, 11:30 pm, "
wrote:
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CODELESS "REVOLUTION"

Based solely onwww.hamdata.compublishedstatistics from
22 February to 3 March 2007, there doesn't seem to be the
kind of "revolution" nor the influx of CB hordes expected
by the long-timers. Specifically, the table below uses the
small block of daily statistics that appears to the left of
the license class totals. Since the data of the data
is derived from FCC database files, the numberic values
represent daily quantities from FCC actions the day befo

NEW EXPIRED UPDATES CALL CHG. CLASS CHG
=== ======= ======= ========= =========
22 Feb, Thu. 174 172 894 49 88
23 Feb, Fri. 78 83 432 5 44
24 Feb, Sat. 190 127 494 47 121
25 Feb, Sun. 1 95 195 20 13
26 Feb, Mon. 0 0 58 0 0
27 Feb, Tue. 144 2 700 13 347
28 Feb, Wed. 99 168 846 44 89
1 Mar, Thu. 138 203 783 13 369
2 Mar, Fri. 87 204 729 12 346
3 Mar, Sat. 85 168 724 83 270

NEW = Never before licensed or retest after long absence
EXPIRED = Past the two-year grace period
UPDATES = Renewals, address changes, adminstrative
changes, not 'upgrades' to another class
CALL CHG = Changed call sign of existing license
CLASS CHG = Changed class of license (mostly 'upgrades')

Numbers for 25 and 26 Feb idicate the weekend off for FCC;
Expirations would probably be automatic as a result of
computer check of pre-determined grace period end. The
Updates column may be a result of more automation from
renewals received and thus might be due to just computer
activity automatically changing the licensing dates.

Tuesday the 27th probably indicates the beginning of the
"deluge" of VEC input that arrived on the Monday before.
The sudden jump in Class Changes is no doubt from existing
"lower" class Techs or Tech Plusses moving up to General.
What is interesting is that there don't seem to be ANY
significant change of NEW licensees' daily numbers. Those
have overwhelmingly come from unlicensed entering the Tech
class and have been at a constant increase since Tech was
created in 1991. The totals of Technician class HAVE
started to drop since the 23rd of February and continue
to decrease slowly; it is very certain that class'
licensees have upgraded to General or Extra now that there
is no code test requirement.

Whatever, it seems clear at a week after 06-178 became
legal that there isn't much of any influx of newcomers.

In the last 12 monthswww.hamdata.comreportsthat 22,609
NEW licensees entered. In the same period, 29,096 licenses
EXPIRED. Licensee grand total dropped by 6,487 in that
past period. A good thing or bad one?



Eventually, they'll all be Extras and my wish for a one class amateur
radio service will be fulfilled. We should change the name of that
license to: Amateur.

While I agree that a significant percentage will go on to Extra, I also
think that there will be a noticeable percentage who will stay at General.
Unless you are into contesting or DXing, there is not a lot of advantage to
getting an Extra.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee, as a Technician (from Novice), I enjoyed DXing and Contesting on
10M SSB. Lots of fun.

wrote in message
ps.com...
On Mar 4, 9:00 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...





On Mar 3, 11:30 pm, "
wrote:
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CODELESS "REVOLUTION"

Based solely onwww.hamdata.compublishedstatistics from
22 February to 3 March 2007, there doesn't seem to be the
kind of "revolution" nor the influx of CB hordes expected
by the long-timers. Specifically, the table below uses the
small block of daily statistics that appears to the left of
the license class totals. Since the data of the data
is derived from FCC database files, the numberic values
represent daily quantities from FCC actions the day befo

NEW EXPIRED UPDATES CALL CHG. CLASS CHG
=== ======= ======= ========= =========
22 Feb, Thu. 174 172 894 49 88
23 Feb, Fri. 78 83 432 5 44
24 Feb, Sat. 190 127 494 47 121
25 Feb, Sun. 1 95 195 20 13
26 Feb, Mon. 0 0 58 0 0
27 Feb, Tue. 144 2 700 13 347
28 Feb, Wed. 99 168 846 44 89
1 Mar, Thu. 138 203 783 13 369
2 Mar, Fri. 87 204 729 12 346
3 Mar, Sat. 85 168 724 83 270

NEW = Never before licensed or retest after long absence
EXPIRED = Past the two-year grace period
UPDATES = Renewals, address changes, adminstrative
changes, not 'upgrades' to another class
CALL CHG = Changed call sign of existing license
CLASS CHG = Changed class of license (mostly 'upgrades')

Numbers for 25 and 26 Feb idicate the weekend off for FCC;
Expirations would probably be automatic as a result of
computer check of pre-determined grace period end. The
Updates column may be a result of more automation from
renewals received and thus might be due to just computer
activity automatically changing the licensing dates.

Tuesday the 27th probably indicates the beginning of the
"deluge" of VEC input that arrived on the Monday before.
The sudden jump in Class Changes is no doubt from existing
"lower" class Techs or Tech Plusses moving up to General.
What is interesting is that there don't seem to be ANY
significant change of NEW licensees' daily numbers. Those
have overwhelmingly come from unlicensed entering the Tech
class and have been at a constant increase since Tech was
created in 1991. The totals of Technician class HAVE
started to drop since the 23rd of February and continue
to decrease slowly; it is very certain that class'
licensees have upgraded to General or Extra now that there
is no code test requirement.

Whatever, it seems clear at a week after 06-178 became
legal that there isn't much of any influx of newcomers.

In the last 12 monthswww.hamdata.comreportsthat 22,609
NEW licensees entered. In the same period, 29,096 licenses
EXPIRED. Licensee grand total dropped by 6,487 in that
past period. A good thing or bad one?



Eventually, they'll all be Extras and my wish for a one class amateur
radio service will be fulfilled. We should change the name of that
license to: Amateur.

While I agree that a significant percentage will go on to Extra, I also
think that there will be a noticeable percentage who will stay at
General.
Unless you are into contesting or DXing, there is not a lot of advantage
to
getting an Extra.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee, as a Technician (from Novice), I enjoyed DXing and Contesting on
10M SSB. Lots of fun.


Yup, 10 meters is a fun band. However as a Tech, you only get part of it.
While there can certainly be a lot of DX in the Tech portion, I've seen it
full from top to bottom with DX during a contest if the band is open. You
could have even more fun if you upgrade.

When the band has been really open, I've enjoyed working up at the top end
where FM is allowed.

However, my comment was addressing the avid, heavy duty DXer/contester. For
the casual operator, the General usually conveys a wide enough range of
spectrum.

Dee, N8UZE

On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message
ps.com...
On Mar 4, 9:00 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message
groups.com...
On Mar 3, 11:30 pm, "
wrote:
SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE CODELESS "REVOLUTION"

Based solely onwww.hamdata.compublishedstatisticsfrom
22 February to 3 March 2007, there doesn't seem to be the
kind of "revolution" nor the influx of CB hordes expected
by the long-timers. Specifically, the table below uses the
small block of daily statistics that appears to the left of
the license class totals. Since the data of the data
is derived from FCC database files, the numberic values
represent daily quantities from FCC actions the day befo

NEW EXPIRED UPDATES CALL CHG. CLASS CHG
=== ======= ======= ========= =========
22 Feb, Thu. 174 172 894 49 88
23 Feb, Fri. 78 83 432 5 44
24 Feb, Sat. 190 127 494 47 121
25 Feb, Sun. 1 95 195 20 13
26 Feb, Mon. 0 0 58 0 0
27 Feb, Tue. 144 2 700 13 347
28 Feb, Wed. 99 168 846 44 89
1 Mar, Thu. 138 203 783 13 369
2 Mar, Fri. 87 204 729 12 346
3 Mar, Sat. 85 168 724 83 270

NEW = Never before licensed or retest after long absence
EXPIRED = Past the two-year grace period
UPDATES = Renewals, address changes, adminstrative
changes, not 'upgrades' to another class
CALL CHG = Changed call sign of existing license
CLASS CHG = Changed class of license (mostly 'upgrades')

Numbers for 25 and 26 Feb idicate the weekend off for FCC;
Expirations would probably be automatic as a result of
computer check of pre-determined grace period end. The
Updates column may be a result of more automation from
renewals received and thus might be due to just computer
activity automatically changing the licensing dates.

Tuesday the 27th probably indicates the beginning of the
"deluge" of VEC input that arrived on the Monday before.
The sudden jump in Class Changes is no doubt from existing
"lower" class Techs or Tech Plusses moving up to General.
What is interesting is that there don't seem to be ANY
significant change of NEW licensees' daily numbers. Those
have overwhelmingly come from unlicensed entering the Tech
class and have been at a constant increase since Tech was
created in 1991. The totals of Technician class HAVE
started to drop since the 23rd of February and continue
to decrease slowly; it is very certain that class'
licensees have upgraded to General or Extra now that there
is no code test requirement.

Whatever, it seems clear at a week after 06-178 became
legal that there isn't much of any influx of newcomers.

In the last 12 monthswww.hamdata.comreportsthat22,609
NEW licensees entered. In the same period, 29,096 licenses
EXPIRED. Licensee grand total dropped by 6,487 in that
past period. A good thing or bad one?



Eventually, they'll all be Extras and my wish for a one class amateur
radio service will be fulfilled. We should change the name of that
license to: Amateur.

While I agree that a significant percentage will go on to Extra, I also
think that there will be a noticeable percentage who will stay at
General.
Unless you are into contesting or DXing, there is not a lot of advantage
to
getting an Extra.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee, as a Technician (from Novice), I enjoyed DXing and Contesting on
10M SSB. Lots of fun.

Yup, 10 meters is a fun band. However as a Tech, you only get part of it.

However, as a Tech, I wasn't greedy.

While there can certainly be a lot of DX in the Tech portion, I've seen it
full from top to bottom with DX during a contest if the band is open. You
could have even more fun if you upgrade.

And so I did. Today I have all of 10 Meters.

When the band has been really open, I've enjoyed working up at the top end
where FM is allowed.

I've never bothered with FM on 10.

However, my comment was addressing the avid, heavy duty DXer/contester.

So if the amateur radio service was comprised of only 10 meteres,
there could be no avid, heavy duty DXing and Contesting?

I think there could be.

For
the casual operator, the General usually conveys a wide enough range of
spectrum.

Dee

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]


All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class written
exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level licenses.
All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our Extra
written) and those who passed code got everything while those who didn't
were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two groups
into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed. While some
countries did have an entry license with a simpler written there were others
who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal classes and you were
not allowed to take the test if you had just studied on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

On Mar 4, 11:51 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...

On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]



All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.

Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class written
exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level licenses.
All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our Extra
written) and those who passed code got everything while those who didn't
were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two groups
into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed. While some
countries did have an entry license with a simpler written there were others
who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal classes and you were
not allowed to take the test if you had just studied on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

So when the European countries were dropping the code you didn't want
to be like the European countries. But now you want to be like the
European countries? Dee, make up your mind.

wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 11:51 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:
wrote in message

oups.com...

On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]



All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.

Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written
exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses.
All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our Extra
written) and those who passed code got everything while those who didn't
were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two groups
into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed. While
some
countries did have an entry license with a simpler written there were
others
who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal classes and you
were
not allowed to take the test if you had just studied on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

So when the European countries were dropping the code you didn't want
to be like the European countries. But now you want to be like the
European countries? Dee, make up your mind.


You read into conclusions that are not there. I did not say anything about
wanting to be like the European countries. I was pointing out the fallacy
of trying to make our system match the European approach. If you get your
wish of a single license class, the FCC may choose to go that route. It's
more of a cautionary note, the "be careful what you wish for sort of thing."

Personally I think two or three license classes is appropriate and have
thought so since I became involved in amateur radio.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class written
exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level licenses.
All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our Extra
written) and those who passed code got everything while those who didn't
were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two groups
into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed. While some
countries did have an entry license with a simpler written there were others
who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal classes and you were
not allowed to take the test if you had just studied on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would
certainly be good for the technical education industry but does that
make it a good thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along
those lines.
--
Tom Horne, KB3OPR/AG

"Thomas Horne" wrote in message
nk.net...
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.

The European approach with one "extra" license class and compulsory
classroom training is not such a bad idea for people who operate on HF. Can
you imagine that we are now allowing kb9rqz to operate a linear amp whose
plate voltage might be /= 3KV? Do you think kb9rqz is technically qualified
to open an AL80-B and change the 3-500Z tube? What if he forgets (or doesn't
know to) bleed the the DC bulk caps or even forgets to unplug it? When he
electrocutes himself we will have the dumbed-down general license exam to
blame. Perhaps linear amp usage should be restricted to extra class, or, we
should apply the above stated European approach.

"Thomas Horne" wrote in message
nk.net...
Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 4, 10:09 am, "Dee Flint" wrote:

[snip]

All of amateur radio is fine for the casual operator.


Ok then, let's do the same as some typical European countries. Only one
license class and every one takes the equivalent of the Extra class
written exam. Prior to the no code change, they did not have entry level
licenses. All licenses took the same written (basically equivalent to our
Extra written) and those who passed code got everything while those who
didn't were VHF/UHF only. When the code was dropped, they folded the two
groups into one. No need to haul out the many variations that existed.
While some countries did have an entry license with a simpler written
there were others who didn't. In some countries, you had to take formal
classes and you were not allowed to take the test if you had just studied
on your own.

Dee, N8UZE

Dee
Are you saying you see that last as a positive thing? It would certainly
be good for the technical education industry but does that make it a good
thing for amateur radio.


Not necessarily. I was trying to make the point that people should be
careful what they wish for. It may come with unintended consequences. I'm
perfectly satisfied with the self study approach and the voluntary classes
that some groups sponsor.

If a formal course were a requirement then I imagine that it would be
easier to find one. I'd love to find a formal class for the extra class
material. I'd even be happy with a referral to a respectable
correspondence or on line course. Anyone have any suggestions along those
lines.
--

Too bad you are not in my area. The club just coaxed me into doing one
again this year for the Extra. I don't know of any correspondence or on
line classes.

Since you will probably be going the self study route if/when you choose to
upgrade, I have the following recommendations:
1. DON'T RUSH. There's a lot of material so if you rush through it, you'll
have a hard time remembering it as it will be in your short term memory
rather than your long term memory.
2. Periodically review the parts you've already studied. It's a long haul
and by the time you get to the end, you might forget what you learned in the
beginning.
3. For studying and learning the material use something that explains it in
detail like the ARRL extra class license manual.
4. Review use something with the questions, answers and brief explanations
like the W5YI question and answer manual
5. Don't hesitate at buying the two separate books. It's worth it. The
ARRL book has too many words and the W5YI is too brief. Using the former
for the initial study and reference and using the latter for review worked
well for my students.
6. Find someone (perhaps through your local club) who would be willing to
answer questions and clarify hard parts as you go along.

Dee, N8UZE