"Dee D. Flint" wrote

Making the second level license examination equivalent to the current Extra
examination sounds like it would drive people out of ham radio. That's
simply too big a jump to expect people to take in one swallow so to speak
especially since this would affect current Technicians who entered the
licensing program under a system with 3 tiers (or more for those who entered
several years ago). It would also take away privileges from existing Techs
in that they are now receive renewable licenses but would not under that
proposal.




Dee,

I suspect you have not read my complete proposal. I'll attach a copy
at the end of this. After you read it your concerns should be
addressed. It is actually very accomodating of current hams of all
classes.

At the onset, current Novices and Technicians would have several
options:

1) Within the grace period they could upgrade to General or Extra, and
such license would be renewable indefinitely.
2) They could retain their current license and renew indefinitely.
3) They could take the "Class B" test and gain full access to all
amateur bands at reduced power. (This license would expire after 10
years, so this is eventually an "up or out" choice.)
4) They could take the "Class A" test and gain full access to all
amateur bands at full power.

Current General and Advanced would have these options:

1) Retain their current licenses and renew indefinitely.
2) Within the grace period they could upgrade to Extra.
3) Take the "Class A" test and gain full access to all amateur bands
at full power (functionally equivalent to choice 2).



Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, DC 20554

In the Matter of )
)
Amendment of Part 97 of the Commission's ) RM-10787
Amateur Service Rules to eliminate )
Morse code testing. )


To: The Commission

PERSONAL COMMENTS OF HANS BRAKOB, K0HB



OVERVIEW

These comments are submitted in response to the petition of
NCVEC which requests elimination of test Element 1 (Morse Code)
from the Amateur Radio service rules.

I. Discussion:

The instant petition requests the elimination of Element 1
(5WPM Morse code test) from the required test for General
and/or Extra Class licenses in the Amateur Radio service.

I find no persuasive argument for continuation of this test,
and support the petition to discontinue testing new applicants
with Element 1.

I am concerned, however, that other elements of the qualification
tests are not adequate to ensure a high level of expertise in
new applicants to the Amateur Radio service, and propose changes
in the licensing structure to ensure that all 5 points of
CFR 47 paragraph 97.1 (Basis and Purpose) are reasonably addressed
in the qualification process.

II Proposal:

I propose that no new applicants be accepted for the current
license classes and that after some reasonable grace period, no
upgrades be available in the current licensing structure.

A. New License Classes:

I propose that new license applications be available
in two classes, namely "Class B" and "Class A".

The "Class B" license would have an entry-level test (basic
regulations, safety, operating procedures, basic DC and AC
electronics). This class would have full frequency and
mode privileges, power limited to 50W output. The license
would be issued for a period of 10 years, and be non-renewable.
Holders of this license would be required to have 2 years
experience as a licensee ("time in grade") before being
eligible to upgrade to "Class A".


The "Class A" license test would be of a difficulty level
similar to the current Extra class test, and would have
full privileges at power levels up to 1500W, equivalent to
current Extra Class license holders. This license
would be issued permanently without requirement for
renewal.

B. Status of current licensees.

Current licenses could be renewed indefinitely, and would
retain their current operating privileges.

Current Novice, Technician, General, and Advanced class
licensees could up grade to "Class A" at any time.

Respectfully submitted,

H. Hans Brakob, K0HB