On Thu, 14 Apr 2004, Jason Hsu wrote:
It seems that ever since the ARRL made its restructuring proposal, ...

Is there any reason to support this idea other than the alleged needs
to
1. Reduce the number of license classes to 3

Why do we even need 3? Why not simply TWO: Below 30Mhz and above 30Mhz, and
people can hold both.

2. Introduce a new entry-level license

A new "entry-level" license: Why? The TECHNICIAN class, as it is now, IS the
entry-level license. It doesn't matter that it was not originally meant to be;
it has evolved into such. If the ARRL can't see that, then their leadership are
truly idiots.

3. Avoid downgrading privileges

I fully agree with #3, the need to avoid downgrading privileges. #1
and #2 individually sound reasonable. But insisting on meeting all
three of these goals requires that Technician licensees be
automatically upgraded to General. If it's that essential that there
only be 3 license classes, then why not keep the Technician license
and upgrade the current Novices to Technician? If a new entry-level
license is necessary, then what's wrong with having 4 license classes
instead of 3? What's wrong with compromising on #1 or #2?

I disagree. However, if a license privilege is going to change, there should be
a transitional period of two years where a person can do whatever is needed to
upgrade to the appropriate class where the privilege will be retained (or
expanded, if that class has more privilege), and for all those who do not
upgrade, they get what they deserve by their inaction.

Can anyone provide any other reason why Technicians should be upgraded ...