"Phil Kane" wrote in message . net...
On 7 May 2004 10:23:31 -0700, N2EY wrote:

It's been ten months and two days since WRC-2003 ended, and given
FCC's method of handling the issue it may well be another ten months
before we even get to the NPRM stage.

The NCI Petition for Rulemaking gave the FCC a quick out to drop
Element 1 immediately, with sufficient legal foundation to do so
without an NPRM (I read that part thoroughly, and it's right on the
mark).

I recall that even before any petitions were filed, both of us agreed
that if FCC "wanted to", Element 1 could be simply dropped once the
treaty changed. I believe the procedure is called "Memorandum Report
and Order" (could be some other name) but in any event a lot quicker
and simpler than a complete NPRM cycle.

The fact that it hasn't been done means that "someone's" fire hasn't
been lighted.

Right. Could also be that "someone" doesn't want to get in the middle
of the catfight and get scratched by both sides. In which case the
thing to do is to entertain all sorts of petitions, (we're up to what
- 17-18 of them so far?!) collect comments and reply comments and even
ex partes on each of them, and allow the whole thing to percolate
through the great bureaucratic machine. Then, when the flood of
petitions has been reduced to a trickle, issue an NPRM with long
comment time (like 98-143). Resolution of the issue could take years -
and every new petition just resets the clock.

IOW, don't hold yer breath. Lookit how long it took for the "incentive
licensing" proposals of the '60s to take place. First proposals in
1963, final plan in 1966, major changes in 1968 and 1969. And they had
far fewer proposals back then.

This is a phenominon that I am all too familiar with
when dealing with The Monkey House whether from within or from
without.

"Welcome To The Monkey House" ...

73 de Jim, N2EY

N2EY wrote:
"Phil Kane" wrote in message . net...

On 7 May 2004 10:23:31 -0700, N2EY wrote:


It's been ten months and two days since WRC-2003 ended, and given
FCC's method of handling the issue it may well be another ten months
before we even get to the NPRM stage.

The NCI Petition for Rulemaking gave the FCC a quick out to drop
Element 1 immediately, with sufficient legal foundation to do so
without an NPRM (I read that part thoroughly, and it's right on the
mark).


I recall that even before any petitions were filed, both of us agreed
that if FCC "wanted to", Element 1 could be simply dropped once the
treaty changed. I believe the procedure is called "Memorandum Report
and Order" (could be some other name) but in any event a lot quicker
and simpler than a complete NPRM cycle.

Yup! And do me that is the most damning indictement of the NCI crowd.
Simply petitioning to simply dropo Element 1 would have been consistent
with what we had heard their aims were all along.

But that wasn't quite enough was it?

The fact that it hasn't been done means that "someone's" fire hasn't
been lighted.


Right. Could also be that "someone" doesn't want to get in the middle
of the catfight and get scratched by both sides. In which case the
thing to do is to entertain all sorts of petitions, (we're up to what
- 17-18 of them so far?!) collect comments and reply comments and even
ex partes on each of them, and allow the whole thing to percolate
through the great bureaucratic machine. Then, when the flood of
petitions has been reduced to a trickle, issue an NPRM with long
comment time (like 98-143). Resolution of the issue could take years -
and every new petition just resets the clock.

With all the complicated petitinos out there, I think it is time to add
mine. Maybe in a year or so, when the initial furor dies down....

IOW, don't hold yer breath. Lookit how long it took for the "incentive
licensing" proposals of the '60s to take place. First proposals in
1963, final plan in 1966, major changes in 1968 and 1969. And they had
far fewer proposals back then.

I *really* like my prediction in the poll. 8^)


This is a phenominon that I am all too familiar with
when dealing with The Monkey House whether from within or from
without.


"Welcome To The Monkey House" ...

- Mike KB3EIA -

(N2EY) wrote in
om:

"Phil Kane" wrote in message
. net...
On 7 May 2004 10:23:31 -0700, N2EY wrote:

It's been ten months and two days since WRC-2003 ended, and given
FCC's method of handling the issue it may well be another ten months
before we even get to the NPRM stage.

The NCI Petition for Rulemaking gave the FCC a quick out to drop
Element 1 immediately, with sufficient legal foundation to do so
without an NPRM (I read that part thoroughly, and it's right on the
mark).

I recall that even before any petitions were filed, both of us agreed
that if FCC "wanted to", Element 1 could be simply dropped once the
treaty changed. I believe the procedure is called "Memorandum Report
and Order" (could be some other name) but in any event a lot quicker
and simpler than a complete NPRM cycle.

The fact that it hasn't been done means that "someone's" fire hasn't
been lighted.

Right. Could also be that "someone" doesn't want to get in the middle
of the catfight and get scratched by both sides. In which case the
thing to do is to entertain all sorts of petitions, (we're up to what
- 17-18 of them so far?!) collect comments and reply comments and even
ex partes on each of them, and allow the whole thing to percolate
through the great bureaucratic machine. Then, when the flood of
petitions has been reduced to a trickle, issue an NPRM with long
comment time (like 98-143). Resolution of the issue could take years -
and every new petition just resets the clock.

IOW, don't hold yer breath. Lookit how long it took for the "incentive
licensing" proposals of the '60s to take place. First proposals in
1963, final plan in 1966, major changes in 1968 and 1969. And they had
far fewer proposals back then.

This is a phenominon that I am all too familiar with
when dealing with The Monkey House whether from within or from
without.

"Welcome To The Monkey House" ...

73 de Jim, N2EY


If you are right, then the US will be the last country with a code test,
decades after it no longer exists anywhere else. I don't think it will take
that long, though.

Firstly, I think the reason they didn't go for a memorandum report and
order is more mundane. They don't care about any catfight because they
don't care about amateur radio, period.

Secondly, I don't think they will wait for any more petitions.

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

In the recent NPRM I submitted comments that many of the proposed changes,
although good, were mooted by the fact they referred to the former ITU code
test requirement as if it still existed. If they don't issue an NPRM on
this matter they will get comments on it submitted in every other one. I
know this because I will personally see to it.

As for any further restructuring, there are two separate issues:-

1) Re-farming the Novice frequencies an increasing the phone allocations.
Here there is already an NPRM, and I think they will carry it out. It just
gives the same amount of additional spectrum to phone as is now Novice CW.
This is what they are going to do. It's less than I wanted, and even less
than the ARRL or the NCVEC asked for, but I'm betting it's all done;

2) Eliminating supefluous licence classes. They will ultimately just do the
obvious, i.e. give Novices and Advanceds a free upgrade. They won't revive
the Novice and kill off the Tech. They will view that as a waste of time.
The FCC is all for simplification, and they will point to the petitions as
providing the consensus they were looking for, even thought they are
slightly different.

73 de Alun, N3KIP

Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: Alun
Date: 5/9/2004 8:03 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

If you are right, then the US will be the last country with a code test,
decades after it no longer exists anywhere else. I don't think it will take
that long, though.

I was afraid of this.

Despite supporting Code testing, I am also of the mind that once the
majority has spoken, it's time to move on.

They could have pre-empted all this by stating something to the effect of
"based upon recent previous commnets on the subject, we are suspending the
requirement for Element 1 for access to HF licensure"....But noooooooooooo...

Firstly, I think the reason they didn't go for a memorandum report and
order is more mundane. They don't care about any catfight because they
don't care about amateur radio, period.

They really don't care about ANY radio, if you pay close attention to
thier "thought processes" in other actions, Alun. I really don't think there
are too many people up there who have a clear picture of what's going on in ANY
radio service.

Secondly, I don't think they will wait for any more petitions.

Sure they will! They are BUREAUCRATS! They are all about" petitions,
applications, hearings, and the PROCESS of administering...They are poorly
prepared to deal with the EFFECTS of thier actions!

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Months and months later.....

1) Re-farming the Novice frequencies an increasing the phone allocations.
Here there is already an NPRM, and I think they will carry it out. It just
gives the same amount of additional spectrum to phone as is now Novice CW.
This is what they are going to do. It's less than I wanted, and even less
than the ARRL or the NCVEC asked for, but I'm betting it's all done;

I dunno.....

There's been what...a half dozen petitions in the last five or six years
asking for the same thing and the FCC keeps thumbing thier noses at it...I
don't understand why since the Novice license hasn't generated much interest
since 1987

2) Eliminating supefluous licence classes. They will ultimately just do the
obvious, i.e. give Novices and Advanceds a free upgrade. They won't revive
the Novice and kill off the Tech. They will view that as a waste of time.
The FCC is all for simplification, and they will point to the petitions as
providing the consensus they were looking for, even thought they are
slightly different.

I really doubt they will "upgrade" the Novice since it's rapidly withering
to nothingness...The Advanced...?!?! Maybe, but a lot of the Advanced guys see
THIER license as being the last readily evident class as having been
13WPM/Old School tested and want nothing to do with "upgrades".

73

Steve, K4YZ

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message ...
Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: Alun
Date: 5/9/2004 8:03 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

If you are right, then the US will be the last country with a code test,
decades after it no longer exists anywhere else. I don't think it will take
that long, though.

I was afraid of this.

Despite supporting Code testing, I am also of the mind that once the
majority has spoken, it's time to move on.

Which majority?

What happened at WRC-2003 was *not* the abolition of code testing.
Instead, the treaty was modified so that each country decides for
itself what its code testing requirement will be. A country can have
no code testing, some code testing, or universal code testing for an
amateur license, and still be in accordance with the treaty.

This may seem a semantic point but it's not. A sizable number of
countries insisted on the wording that was finally adopted.

They could have pre-empted all this by stating something to the effect of
"based upon recent previous commnets on the subject, we are suspending the
requirement for Element 1 for access to HF licensure"....But noooooooooooo...

The majority of comments to 98-143 *supported* code testing. In fact,
the majority of comments to 98-143 supported *at least* 2 code test
speeds. Based on the majority of those comments, we'd still have at
least 12-13 wpm.

Look at the comments on the various petitions since July - what is the
majority saying?

Firstly, I think the reason they didn't go for a memorandum report and
order is more mundane. They don't care about any catfight because they
don't care about amateur radio, period.

They really don't care about ANY radio, if you pay close attention to
thier "thought processes" in other actions, Alun. I really don't think there
are too many people up there who have a clear picture of what's going on in
ANY radio service.

Perhaps the view is that they regulate "communications", not
"radio"...

Secondly, I don't think they will wait for any more petitions.

Sure they will! They are BUREAUCRATS! They are all about" petitions,
applications, hearings, and the PROCESS of administering...They are poorly
prepared to deal with the EFFECTS of thier actions!

It's not a question of waiting. It's a question of when the petitions
stop coming in. Anybody can file a petition - that's the American way.
Unless the petition is clearly "not serious" (such as several similar
petitions from the same person or group in a short period of time),
FCC *has to* deal with them. Which takes very little in the way of
resources - that's what ECFS and the FCC computer system are for.
Biggest resource drain is that somebody at FCC has to read the
petitions and comments. That's a lot less of a task than writing an
NPRM and rules revisions, and all the research connected with same.

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Maybe. Or maybe not. If a resounding majority say they want Element 1,
things might go differently.

Months and months later.....

1) Re-farming the Novice frequencies an increasing the phone allocations.
Here there is already an NPRM, and I think they will carry it out. It just
gives the same amount of additional spectrum to phone as is now Novice CW.
This is what they are going to do. It's less than I wanted, and even less
than the ARRL or the NCVEC asked for, but I'm betting it's all done;

I dunno.....

There's been what...a half dozen petitions in the last five or six years
asking for the same thing and the FCC keeps thumbing thier noses at it...I
don't understand why since the Novice license hasn't generated much interest
since 1987

Whole bunch of reasons. One is the "nobody loses" thing - where do the
Novices and Tech Pluses go if the "Novice bands" become 'phone?

Another is the basic reason we have subbands-by-mode in the first
place. If the US phone subbands are widened, there's less room for CW
and the data modes. It amounts to rewarding the use of
spectrum-inefficient modes, and penalizing the use of
spectrum-efficient modes. And the DX 'phones will move still further
down the band to get away from the US QRM.

2) Eliminating supefluous licence classes. They will ultimately just do the
obvious, i.e. give Novices and Advanceds a free upgrade.

Why?

They won't revive
the Novice and kill off the Tech. They will view that as a waste of time.
The FCC is all for simplification, and they will point to the petitions as
providing the consensus they were looking for, even thought they are
slightly different.

Maybe.

I really doubt they will "upgrade" the Novice since it's rapidly withering
to nothingness...The Advanced...?!?! Maybe, but a lot of the Advanced guys see
THIER license as being the last readily evident class as having been
13WPM/Old School tested and want nothing to do with "upgrades".

Such thinking about the Advanced is faulty, of course. From 1990 until
2000, the Advanced was available with 5 wpm code via waivers. And
after the restructuring of 2000, someone with valid CSCEs for 5 wpm
code and the Advanced writtens could get an Advanced *without* 13 wpm.

The big questions about free upgrades are simply: What's in it for
FCC? What does it really cost them to keep 'legacy' license classes on
the books?

I think the answer to both questions is "not much!"

73 de Jim, N2EY

Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: (N2EY)
Date: 5/10/2004 7:16 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message
...

Despite supporting Code testing, I am also of the mind that once the
majority has spoken, it's time to move on.

Which majority?

What happened at WRC-2003 was *not* the abolition of code testing.
Instead, the treaty was modified so that each country decides for
itself what its code testing requirement will be. A country can have
no code testing, some code testing, or universal code testing for an
amateur license, and still be in accordance with the treaty.

This may seem a semantic point but it's not. A sizable number of
countries insisted on the wording that was finally adopted.

Therein lies your majority, Jim.

And let's not kid ourselves...there's been a growing number of people,
wether they commented directly to the FCC or not, that is in favor of doing
away with Code testing.

Again...I don't agree with it, but it's out there and unless there's some
epiphany at FCC, it will become the law of the land in some time, if not "due"
time. I just hope we (you, I, other Code test/use supporters) can move in some
constructive way to minimize the damage.

They could have pre-empted all this by stating something to the effect
of
"based upon recent previous commnets on the subject, we are suspending the
requirement for Element 1 for access to HF licensure"....But
noooooooooooo...

The majority of comments to 98-143 *supported* code testing. In fact,
the majority of comments to 98-143 supported *at least* 2 code test
speeds. Based on the majority of those comments, we'd still have at
least 12-13 wpm.

Look at the comments on the various petitions since July - what is the
majority saying?

I agree. But the FCC has almost always been a left-leaning agency, and
will continue to be so. I have no doubt that they will act to lose the code
tests. Thier previous comments have already set the tone for what they plan on
doing, comments to the contrary.

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Maybe. Or maybe not. If a resounding majority say they want Element 1,
things might go differently.

I see one of four things happening.

First of all is nothing. But the FCC never does "nothing", even when it's
the best course of action in the first place.

Secondly is to completely drop Code testing for all levels of licensure.
I am hoping-against-hope that they DON'T do this, but I am afraid that it is
EXACTLY what they will do.

Third is to drop the Code test for the General and leaving in the Code
test for the Extra. This is what I hope will happen.

Lastly is creating a new, Code-free HF license between the Technician
Plus-level folks and the General. However I can't see the FCC creating a NEW
license when they just went through all the hoop-laa of paring it down to
three. If they did this, I'd give the present Code-tested Generals access to
the Advanced Class sub-bands and let the new folks have the current General
allocations, minus the WARC bands and 160 meters.

Why? Why not..?!?!

There's been what...a half dozen petitions in the last five or six years
asking for the same thing and the FCC keeps thumbing thier noses at it...I
don't understand why since the Novice license hasn't generated much interest
since 1987

Whole bunch of reasons. One is the "nobody loses" thing - where do the
Novices and Tech Pluses go if the "Novice bands" become 'phone?

The question should be "where are they now?"...Access them to the General
class non-phone bands on the same bands they have allocations on
now....3525-3750, 7025-7150, 21025 to 21200 and 28000 to 28.300.

Another is the basic reason we have subbands-by-mode in the first
place. If the US phone subbands are widened, there's less room for CW
and the data modes. It amounts to rewarding the use of
spectrum-inefficient modes, and penalizing the use of
spectrum-efficient modes. And the DX 'phones will move still further
down the band to get away from the US QRM.

I agree.

73

Steve, K4YZ

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message ...
Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: (N2EY)
Date: 5/10/2004 7:16 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message
...

Despite supporting Code testing, I am also of the mind that once the
majority has spoken, it's time to move on.

Which majority?

What happened at WRC-2003 was *not* the abolition of code testing.
Instead, the treaty was modified so that each country decides for
itself what its code testing requirement will be. A country can have
no code testing, some code testing, or universal code testing for an
amateur license, and still be in accordance with the treaty.

This may seem a semantic point but it's not. A sizable number of
countries insisted on the wording that was finally adopted.

Therein lies your majority, Jim.

Where?

The majority of countries who sent reps voted to change S25.5. Doesn't
matter how many people or hams a country has, each gets one vote.
That's not a majority of *people* or hams, it's a majority of
*governments*.

And let's not kid ourselves...there's been a growing number of people,
wether they commented directly to the FCC or not, that is in favor of doing
away with Code testing.

Sure. I say they are a small but noisy *minority*. Heck, there's been
a group in existence for more than 8 years that says its sole purpose
is the elimination of code testing. Membership is absolutely free and
non-expiring, does not require a ham license or other qualifications
except agreement with the single stated goal. And yet in those 8 years
they have recruited maybe 5 or 6 thousand total members, world-wide.

Some "majority".

Again...I don't agree with it, but it's out there and unless there's some
epiphany at FCC, it will become the law of the land in some time, if not "due"
time.

The fat lady ain't sung yet. Frankly I am amazed that after the Report
and Order for 98-143 we still have Element 1 - but we do.

I just hope we (you, I, other Code test/use supporters) can move in
some constructive way to minimize the damage.

Been doing that for years, Steve.

They could have pre-empted all this by stating something to the effect
of
"based upon recent previous commnets on the subject, we are suspending the
requirement for Element 1 for access to HF licensure"....But
noooooooooooo...

The majority of comments to 98-143 *supported* code testing. In fact,
the majority of comments to 98-143 supported *at least* 2 code test
speeds. Based on the majority of those comments, we'd still have at
least 12-13 wpm.

Look at the comments on the various petitions since July - what is the
majority saying?

I agree.

Tell it to the noisy minority.

But the FCC has almost always been a left-leaning agency, and
will continue to be so.

WHOA THERE!

FCC a "left-leaning" agency? You gotta be kidding!

Let's look at the past 20 years or so:

- FCC created VE system and public question pools. Turned over 99% of
the testing functions to unpaid volunteers to "get the government off
your back". Reduces the size of government and regulatory complexity.
Is that what "the left" usually does?

- FCC created medical waivers because a Republican president wanted to
do a King a favor.

- FCC deregulated broadcast radio ownership under a Republican
administration because it would help Business and reduce regulatory
complexity. Is that what "the left" usually does?

- FCC pushes a spectrum-polluting broadband technology under a
Republican administration because it would supposedly help Business.
Is that what "the left" usually does?

Those are just the high points. The trend is clear: Less regulation,
more "free market" ideology, little concern about pollution of a
limited natural resource. Is that what "the left" is all about, or
"the right"?

I have no doubt that they will act to lose the code
tests. Thier previous comments have already set the tone for what they plan
on doing, comments to the contrary.

I disagree. If that were really the case, they could have simply
stated that based on the detailed discussion of 98-143 and their
previous Report and Order that the last remaining reason for Element 1
(the treaty) was gone and they could now simply dump it. There were
two petitions to do just that filed soon after WRC-2003. Yet we are
obviously headed for an NPRM cycle and it will probably be 2005 or
even 2006 before we know the outcome. If the FCC's mind was made up,
why the delay?

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Maybe. Or maybe not. If a resounding majority say they want Element 1,
things might go differently.

I see one of four things happening.

First of all is nothing. But the FCC never does "nothing", even when
it's the best course of action in the first place.

Not true. FCC has repeatedly done "nothing" in response to a proposal.
Remember when the CSVHS petitioned for some narrow-bandwidth VHF
subbands? FCC said no.

Secondly is to completely drop Code testing for all levels of licensure.
I am hoping-against-hope that they DON'T do this, but I am afraid that it is
EXACTLY what they will do.

Maybe.

Third is to drop the Code test for the General and leaving in the Code
test for the Extra. This is what I hope will happen.

I hope they keep it for HF at the very least. I think it would be best
if Element 1 were required for all ham licenses.

Lastly is creating a new, Code-free HF license between the Technician
Plus-level folks and the General.

Why?

Why not just create a new entry-level license ("NewNovice",
"Communicator", "Basic", whatever), then close off the Tech and Tech
Plus?

Existing Novices (all 32K of them) get the new entry license via
grandfathering. Existing Techs and Pluses keep all VHF/UHF and get the
same entry level HF as the new entry-level license.

What's the problem with that scenario?

However I can't see the FCC creating a NEW
license when they just went through all the hoop-laa of paring it down to
three.

Look at the ARRL petition. They essentially reinvent the Novice, same
name, new privs. Exisitng Novices get the new privs. Some version of
that can fly.

If they did this, I'd give the present Code-tested Generals access to
the Advanced Class sub-bands and let the new folks have the current General
allocations, minus the WARC bands and 160 meters.

Too complex.

Why? Why not..?!?!

There's been what...a half dozen petitions in the last five or six years
asking for the same thing and the FCC keeps thumbing thier noses at it...I
don't understand why since the Novice license hasn't generated much interest
since 1987

Because the FCC sometimes *does* do 'nothing'. That's the point.

Whole bunch of reasons. One is the "nobody loses" thing - where do the
Novices and Tech Pluses go if the "Novice bands" become 'phone?

Slide 'em down - it was done before. 80 M novice used to be 3700-3750,
40 M Novice used to be 7150-7200.

Or give them General class CW privs at 200W on 80/40/15/10. Why not?

The question should be "where are they now?"...Access them to the General
class non-phone bands on the same bands they have allocations on
now....3525-3750, 7025-7150, 21025 to 21200 and 28000 to 28.300.

Sure. In fact give 'em WARC bands while we're at it. Why not?

Another is the basic reason we have subbands-by-mode in the first
place. If the US phone subbands are widened, there's less room for CW
and the data modes. It amounts to rewarding the use of
spectrum-inefficient modes, and penalizing the use of
spectrum-efficient modes. And the DX 'phones will move still further
down the band to get away from the US QRM.

I agree.

So write and submit a petition to FCC. Everybody's doing it....

73 de Jim, N2EY

And yet in those 8 years
they have recruited maybe 5 or 6 thousand total members, world-wide.

Some "majority".

5or 6 Thousand, yea right, since NCI refuses to provide the correct INFO, they
might as well say 40 Million, since no proof is required. My guess probably
more like 200 to 300 hundred.

Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: (N2EY)
Date: 5/12/2004 10:45 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message
...
Subject: Let's debate: Should Amateur Radio be made a free for all?
From: (N2EY)
Date: 5/10/2004 7:16 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in message
...

Therein lies your majority, Jim.

Where?

The majority of nations voting to drop the Code.

The majority of countries who sent reps voted to change S25.5. Doesn't
matter how many people or hams a country has, each gets one vote.
That's not a majority of *people* or hams, it's a majority of
*governments*.

True...But the tide'd been turning for a decade...More, really...

I just hope we (you, I, other Code test/use supporters) can move in
some constructive way to minimize the damage.

Been doing that for years, Steve.

Yep. Mentoring new Hams...VE tests...Cutting Lennie off at the the
knees...

But the FCC has almost always been a left-leaning agency, and
will continue to be so.

WHOA THERE!

FCC a "left-leaning" agency? You gotta be kidding!

Let's look at the past 20 years or so:

- FCC created VE system and public question pools. Turned over 99% of
the testing functions to unpaid volunteers to "get the government off
your back". Reduces the size of government and regulatory complexity.
Is that what "the left" usually does?

In this case, yes...

That it "reduced" the workload at FCC was incidental in my opnion, Jim.
That it markedly lowered the bar for the effectiveness of the written tests to
actaully insure some degree of technical competence was as left as you can get
without falling off the Huntington Beach pier.

- FCC created medical waivers because a Republican president wanted to
do a King a favor.

- FCC deregulated broadcast radio ownership under a Republican
administration because it would help Business and reduce regulatory
complexity. Is that what "the left" usually does?

And who gained the majority of benefit from that move?

- FCC pushes a spectrum-polluting broadband technology under a
Republican administration because it would supposedly help Business.
Is that what "the left" usually does?

The supposed "help" would be to those living in rural or under-served
areas, Jim. At least that's the pitch being pushed.

Those are just the high points. The trend is clear: Less regulation,
more "free market" ideology, little concern about pollution of a
limited natural resource. Is that what "the left" is all about, or
"the right"?

I have no doubt that they will act to lose the code
tests. Thier previous comments have already set the tone for what they
plan
on doing, comments to the contrary.

I disagree. If that were really the case, they could have simply
stated that based on the detailed discussion of 98-143 and their
previous Report and Order that the last remaining reason for Element 1
(the treaty) was gone and they could now simply dump it. There were
two petitions to do just that filed soon after WRC-2003. Yet we are
obviously headed for an NPRM cycle and it will probably be 2005 or
even 2006 before we know the outcome. If the FCC's mind was made up,
why the delay?

Like I said...Bureaucrats. The more paperwork and the more
administratively burdensome, the better.

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Maybe. Or maybe not. If a resounding majority say they want Element 1,
things might go differently.

I see one of four things happening.

First of all is nothing. But the FCC never does "nothing", even when
it's the best course of action in the first place.

Not true. FCC has repeatedly done "nothing" in response to a proposal.
Remember when the CSVHS petitioned for some narrow-bandwidth VHF
subbands? FCC said no.

If they said "no", they "did nothing"...Or do you consider the act of
saying no to be the "something"...?!?!

Secondly is to completely drop Code testing for all levels of
licensure.
I am hoping-against-hope that they DON'T do this, but I am afraid that it
is
EXACTLY what they will do.

Maybe.

Third is to drop the Code test for the General and leaving in the Code
test for the Extra. This is what I hope will happen.

I hope they keep it for HF at the very least. I think it would be best
if Element 1 were required for all ham licenses.

I do too, but like I said...the die's cast. This is what "people" want,
so now they've gotten it.

Lastly is creating a new, Code-free HF license between the Technician
Plus-level folks and the General.

Why?

Why not just create a new entry-level license ("NewNovice",
"Communicator", "Basic", whatever), then close off the Tech and Tech
Plus?

Existing Novices (all 32K of them) get the new entry license via
grandfathering. Existing Techs and Pluses keep all VHF/UHF and get the
same entry level HF as the new entry-level license.

What's the problem with that scenario?

However I can't see the FCC creating a NEW
license when they just went through all the hoop-laa of paring it down to
three.

Look at the ARRL petition. They essentially reinvent the Novice, same
name, new privs. Exisitng Novices get the new privs. Some version of
that can fly.

Like I said...I can't see the FCC creating a new (or re-opening the
old...) level of licensure...I was just offering it as an option.

If they did this, I'd give the present Code-tested Generals access to
the Advanced Class sub-bands and let the new folks have the current General
allocations, minus the WARC bands and 160 meters.

Too complex.

Why? Techs would get VHF and above. The new "X" class would get old
General phone priv's minus WARC and 160. What's "too complex" about it....???

The Generals move up to the Advanced class allocations, and Extra's get
the new "farmed out" phone bands.

Another is the basic reason we have subbands-by-mode in the first
place. If the US phone subbands are widened, there's less room for CW
and the data modes. It amounts to rewarding the use of
spectrum-inefficient modes, and penalizing the use of
spectrum-efficient modes. And the DX 'phones will move still further
down the band to get away from the US QRM.

I agree.

So write and submit a petition to FCC. Everybody's doing it....

Yeah...one more glory hound seeking his fame and fortune in the "Federal
Register"... ! ! !

=)

73

Steve, K4YZ

Alun wrote:

(N2EY) wrote in
om:


"Phil Kane" wrote in message
t.net...

On 7 May 2004 10:23:31 -0700, N2EY wrote:


It's been ten months and two days since WRC-2003 ended, and given
FCC's method of handling the issue it may well be another ten months
before we even get to the NPRM stage.

The NCI Petition for Rulemaking gave the FCC a quick out to drop
Element 1 immediately, with sufficient legal foundation to do so
without an NPRM (I read that part thoroughly, and it's right on the
mark).

I recall that even before any petitions were filed, both of us agreed
that if FCC "wanted to", Element 1 could be simply dropped once the
treaty changed. I believe the procedure is called "Memorandum Report
and Order" (could be some other name) but in any event a lot quicker
and simpler than a complete NPRM cycle.

The fact that it hasn't been done means that "someone's" fire hasn't
been lighted.

Right. Could also be that "someone" doesn't want to get in the middle
of the catfight and get scratched by both sides. In which case the
thing to do is to entertain all sorts of petitions, (we're up to what
- 17-18 of them so far?!) collect comments and reply comments and even
ex partes on each of them, and allow the whole thing to percolate
through the great bureaucratic machine. Then, when the flood of
petitions has been reduced to a trickle, issue an NPRM with long
comment time (like 98-143). Resolution of the issue could take years -
and every new petition just resets the clock.

IOW, don't hold yer breath. Lookit how long it took for the "incentive
licensing" proposals of the '60s to take place. First proposals in
1963, final plan in 1966, major changes in 1968 and 1969. And they had
far fewer proposals back then.


This is a phenominon that I am all too familiar with
when dealing with The Monkey House whether from within or from
without.

"Welcome To The Monkey House" ...

73 de Jim, N2EY



If you are right, then the US will be the last country with a code test,
decades after it no longer exists anywhere else. I don't think it will take
that long, though.

Firstly, I think the reason they didn't go for a memorandum report and
order is more mundane. They don't care about any catfight because they
don't care about amateur radio, period.

Secondly, I don't think they will wait for any more petitions.

Thirdly, I think that when the dust settles they will just do what they
were going to do anyway. Eliminate Element 1.

Let's hope it ends that way, Alun!

- Mike KB3EIA -