"Bill Sohl" wrote in message ink.net...
"N2EY" wrote in message
...
In article k.net, "Bill
Sohl" writes:

(old stuff removed)

(N2EY wrote
Why
is a Technician licensee qualified to design/build/repair/align/modify
and
most
of all operate a 6 meter rig but not a 15 meter rig - particularly when
it's the same rig?

Actually, when you think about it...ANYONE is allowed to design, build,
repair,
align and/or modify ham equipment...it is ONLY the "operate" part that
ultimately requires the license.

Excellent point! However, in the interests of strict correctness, note
that
equipment which is manufactured for sale has to meet certain certification
requirements which licensed hams ar exempt from. In the case of RF power
amplifiers, a licensed amateur can homebrew things no manufacturer can
legally
sell.

Look at the FCC enforcement logs. Problems due to technical
incompetence
are
very few in the ARS, and those that do happen are not clustered on any
particular license class.

So why do we need all that written testing beyond Tech?

Jim, you keep bringing up what you believe are analogies
to the ode test issue and I'm not gonna play anymore. the
argument(s) fail to convince the FCC and I don't see you
making them to the FCC either. If and when someone attempts to petiton
for the changes you suggest are analogous...then I'll argue further.

The code test issue will be decided by FCC one way or the other, sooner or
later. I'm not worried about it, they'll decide whatever they decide.

My concern is simply that if someone or some group starts using the same
arguments against much of the writtens, they're going to be difficult to
defend.

That is your opinion...I think otherwise.

OK, fine.

You and I can join forces to
defend writtens...if and when someone does try to end
writtens.

An out-and-out removal of the written test would be opposed by almost
everyone, so no one with any sense will suggest that. Not right away,
anyhow.

What I'm talking about is efforts to gradually reduce the level of
written testing. Take a few things out here and reduce the level of a
few other things there, change the testing method a little someplace
else, etc. Not just for entry-level but for all levels.

For example, what would you say to a proposal to remove the
regulations questions from the entry-level exam? No questions on Part
97 - just require each new ham to certify that they have provided
themselves with a copy, have read it, understand it, and will follow
it. Good idea or bad idea?

Frankly, I don't think it'll happen on my watch.

It's already started. See what the NC-VEC leadership has in mind for
the future. The above is just one of their ideas. I think it's a very
bad idea.

73 de Jim, N2EY