"N2EY" wrote:

(snip) Hans thinks that *all* hams should
be qualified (eventually) at at least the
Extra class written level. The purpose of
his proposed LP license is to give newbies
a sample of what ham radio is like, and a
10-year opportunity to learn enough to get
a full-privileges license. (snip)


And I think Hans is barking up the wrong tree with his idea. I don't see
any benefit whatsoever. It doesn't really serve a specific need within the
Amateur Radio community. It doesn't serve the regulatory needs of the FCC.
And it doesn't really serve the basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio
Service.

Hans seems to be basing his idea on 97.1(c) and 97.1(d). The first talks
about, "Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules
which provide for advancing skills in both communications and technical
phases of the art." The second talks about, "Expansion of the existing
reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators,
technicians, and electronics experts." Neither of these even suggest the
need for a requirement to advance in license class or get out. And neither
suggests a need for a requirement to learn to a specific level or get out.

Hans also seems to be basing his idea on the faulty premise that one must
advance in license class to learn, advance skills, or increase the reservoir
of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. Of course, that
premise is simply untrue. For example, one can learn about satellite
communications, at least all that one can learn though Amateur Radio, with a
Technician license (no license advancement required). The same with digital
communications. The same with microwave communications. And the same with
moonbounce, SSB, FM repeaters, and a long list of other skills, abilities,
and radio arts.

Finally, I think Hans' idea would have a chilling effect on the Amateur
Radio Service - assigning newcomers (once again) to an outside the
mainstream, subordinate, sub-class with sharp limits on their participation.
If I took my first look at Amateur radio, and saw that as my only option, I
would probably not so politely say where you could stick it. The 'advance or
get out' idea would make that almost a certainty (indeed, why even invest
time, or in radio equipment, if there is even the slightest possibility of
being forced out of something I know so little about at that particular
moment - a potential newcomer).

Luckily, I think the FCC would have enough common sense to realize this
idea is absurd. Sadly, it does seem to have it's supporters within the
Amateur Radio community.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/