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December 6th 03, 03:53 PM

(N2EY) wrote in
:

In article et,
"Dwight Stewart" writes:

"N2EY" wrote:

Depending on when someone gets their Extra, they may have taken as
many as 5 separate written tests (snip)

Of course, Jim. However, I was under the impression we were talking
about the present (the three written tests).

We *are* talking about the present. Present-day Extras took a wide
variety of written tests. For example, Hans took a single 100 question
written test to go from General to Extra. I took two 50 question
writtens to make the same transition. An April-16-2000 Extra took a
single 50 question written. But all of us prenetly hold the same
license with the same privileges.

"Similar difficulty" doesn't mean the same material.
Obviously a lot of the basics would be covered in the Class B.
(snip)

I've looked over the existing exams and there isn't a lot of repeated
material.

Sure - but the emphasis would be different.

By the way, are the "Class B" operators going to be prohibited from
building their own equipment also?

Just the opposite, I think! But it's Hans' proposal - ask him.

If not, how would one really make the test simplier?

Take the current Tech test. Remove some of the RF exposure stuff
(because Class Bs can't use more than 50 W). Add in some HF and Class B
rules stuff. Done.

Since Techs are authorized to design/build/modify/repair/align/operate
amateur gear using any mode and any technology, the Tech written test
must be adequate for homebrewing, right?

How different is homebrewing for HF from homebrewing for 6 meters? (If
anything, homebrewing for 6 meters is more critical because of the
higher frequency).

Remember that Novices and Tech Pluses are already authorized to
design/build/modify/repair/align/operate amateur gear using any CW and
SSB on 10 meters, and CW on 80. 40, 1nd 15 meters, using any
technology.

And with the simplified structure, some of the
questions like subbands-by-license-class would go away. (snip)

So we're now going to restructure the sub-bands also?

Nope.Haven't you read Hans' proposal?

Both Class B and Class A hams would have access to all amateur
frequencies. For example, on 40 meters/Region 2 they would have:

7000-7150 CW/data
7150-7300.CW/phone/image

Compare this to the current mess of subbands on 40 for Extras,
Advanceds, Generals, Tech Pluses and Novices.

This whole thing is
getting more absurd with each message posted.

Why "absurd"? Hans is proposing to dramatically simplify things for new
hams. Lots of privileges for new hams. No more big divide at 30 MHz. No
more having to memorize lots of little subbands which then become
obsolete as one upgrades.

And existing hams don't have to give up anything they already have. If
an existing ham wants to join the new system, just take a test.

My Extra license is up for renewing soon. I'd take the Class A just to
avoide that little chore....

Related question for Hans: Would existing Extras
get Class A licenses automatically, or would they have to retest?

Oh, you know Extras are going to be grandfathered into the new
license structure, Jim.

Not according to Hans' answer to the above question.

Hans has no intention of messing with his fellow, perfect as
is, Extras (just the rest of the ham community).

Do you really think such a test would be a problem for most of us
Extras? I say "Bring it on!! - I got yer Class A right here!"

I don't agree with Hans' proposal in some areas, but I'd hardly call it
"absurd".

Four years ago there were 6 license classes open to new hams. Now there
are only 3, but the other 3 classes are still held by almost 200,000
hams. Was that an "absurd" change? Tell it to the FCC!

Hans' proposal would create 2 new license classes and close off the
other 6 to new licensees. Is it really so absurd, given the changes
we've already seen?

His proposal is no more absurd than the claim that a single 5 wpm code
test is a "barrier".....

73 de Jim, N2EY

It's not really three, though. Although the 'Tech Plus' was abolished in
theory it still exists in practice. That particular absurdity will go away
when Element 1 is abolished, which it soon will be. To avoid actually
taking away any privileges the FCC will have to give the Novice subbands
to all Techs (assuming Element 1 will no longer be mentionned anywhere in
Part 97, the only other alternative would be to take them away from those
Techs who have them now, which would be very unpalatable).

I don't agree with all aspects of Hans' proposal. In particular, I oppose
all time limits and time in grade requirements. However, I think that
something ultimately will have to be done about the status of Novice and
Advanced licences. It is just too messy to maintain closed licence classes
indefinitely. I would have no problem with automatically upgrading them
all, but I know that many others would not like it. Maybe the way around
this is to have new (or at least re-named) licence classes. Someone who
objects to Advanced licencees getting a free pass to Extra may aquiesce to
both becoming Class As, for example. A rose by any other name would smell
as sweet?

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