"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
k.net...

As I see it, this is an amateur activity designed with three basic goals
in
mind - provide some radio services to others (public service), some
benefit
to the participants (recreational radio activities), and a mild
introduction
to the field of electronics.

That may well be as *you* see it, but according to their rules going back at
least 50 years, FCC goals aren't about "a mild introduction" to electronics.
From 1950's Part 12, paragraph 12.0(d) "Expansion of the existing reservoir
within the amateur radio service of ...... ELECTRONICS EXPERTS". From the
contemporary Part 97, paragraph 97.1(d) "Expansion of the existing reservoir
within the amateur radio service of ...... ELECTRONICS EXPERTS".


Some seem to suggest we add content to
more closely fit a college degree program.

I haven't seen any such suggestion here (or anywhere else). My proposal
suggests that the standard full-privilege qualifications should be
essentially equivalent to the current Amateur Extra written examination.
Since there are numerous examples of pre-teen children who have met that
level of qualification, it certainly doesn't rise to the level of a "college
degree program".

73, de Hans, K0HB