In article , Robert Casey
writes:

Total growth of 901 in that much time isn't healthy. Reducing the code test
to
just 5 wpm did not result in sustained growth, and neither did reducing the
written tests.

True of the code, but the writtens are substationally the same before
and after restructuring. Oh, element 4 has a few less questions than
old elements 4a plus 4b had, but it's the same
material you have to study.
And of course you won't know exactly what questions you'll get.

IIRC, under the old system it took 5 written tests totalling 190 questions to
reach full privileges. Heck, it took 2 writtens totalling 65 questions to get a
Tech! That has been reduced to 3 written tests totalling 120 questions, A Tech
requires only a single 35 question test.

That's a significant reduction, IMHO. But it hasn't resulted in sustained
growth. Neither has the loss of nearly all code testing. Nor the no-code-test
Technician, nor code test waivers, etc. etc.

Maybe a few advertisements placed in magazines (horrors) CBers
and (even worse!) freebanders read can find some new "born
again" "repentant" people to get a ham license and swear off
freebanding...? Now that the sunspots are out of season?

I don't think so. In my experience, a lot of those folks simply don't want to
be licensed. Has nothing to do with the tests, and everything to do with
perception.

Publicity to the general public is one thing that's needed.

73 de Jim, N2EY