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#1
March 1st 05, 08:02 PM
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Alun L. Palmer wrote:
"Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" wrote in nk.net: wrote in news:1109689325.032940.133970 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: http://www.arrl.org scroll down about 3 stories Article sez FCC is working on NPRM that will address all 18 existing proposals. Expected to become public about the middle of 2005. With the usual comment period, etc., Report and Order by maybe late 2006/early 2007. 73 de Jim, N2EY If the ARRL has a proposal, could you post it here for review. I refuse to visit their site anymore. TNX 73 KB7ADL I don't have the full details of the ARRL petition to hand, but basically it brings back the Novice licence (without the code), makes Techs into Generals and Advanceds into Extras, and dumps ths code test except for Extras, who would still have to pass it. Basically a compromise that gives everybody something they want but doesn't give anybody everything. Two comments on the Antique Radio Relay League's news item. Your bias is showing, Alun. Firstly, it's very telling that they buried it down the page, just as they did with the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU. They post the stories in chronological order. If it's not at the top, that's because a newer story has displaced it. They did not "bury" anything. And the code test was not abolished by ITU. All that changed was that the treaty no longer requires such a test. Signatory countries are now no longer *required by treaty* to have a code test, that's all. Secondly, it does say at the end that "it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding before that time frame", so IOW the 2006/7 is just the League's guesswork. Of course - and they make that clear in the article. Back in summer 2003, ARRL said at least two years. Which seemed incredibly long at the time, but is now turning out to be short, if anything. IMHO, the FCC will not adopt the League's proposal as such. Probably not. Nor will they adopt anyone's proposal as presented, IMHO. The FCC say that they are looking for a consensus amongst us, and they are also on record as saying that the code test useful doesn't serve any useful purpose. When did they say those things? btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? All it would take is a Memorandum Report and Order. In fact, as a temporary measure pending rewriting the rules, they could have simply ordered that anyone who passed Element 2, 3 or 4 gets Element 1 credit. But they didn't. There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Maybe. But back in 1998, ARRL proposed free upgrades for Novices and Tech Pluses so that there would be four classes and no closed-out classes. Others have proposed similar freebies. FCC has consistently said no, and keeps the Tech Plus, Advanced and Novice alive in their rules and database. At the current rate of decline, it may be 15 more years before the last Advanced is gone. I predict the code test will not be a continuing feature in the NPRM, whatever else is, since eliminating a test reduces administrative burden and they are already on record as wanting to get rid of it. Yet they have not done so. If they really think Element 1 should go, why wasn't it dumped in 2003? Reducing the number of classes also appeals to the FCC, so maybe they might even adopt most of the League's proposal but get rid of element 1 as well? I don't think so, though, as the line of least resistance is to keep the current test elements as they are. This means grandfathering Novice to Tech instead of Tech to General, so that is what I predict they will do. Why? Keeping the closed-out license classes costs them little or nothing. Tech Plus will disappear in a little more than 5 years, as the last Tech Plus is renewed as Tech. The other two closed-out classes are slowly dropping, yet may last a lot longer because of renewals. Maybe I'll write a proposal... 73 de Jim, N2EY |
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#3
March 2nd 05, 04:06 AM
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wrote in news:1109706299.033324.211320
@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" wrote in nk.net: wrote in news:1109689325.032940.133970 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: http://www.arrl.org scroll down about 3 stories Article sez FCC is working on NPRM that will address all 18 existing proposals. Expected to become public about the middle of 2005. With the usual comment period, etc., Report and Order by maybe late 2006/early 2007. 73 de Jim, N2EY If the ARRL has a proposal, could you post it here for review. I refuse to visit their site anymore. TNX 73 KB7ADL I don't have the full details of the ARRL petition to hand, but basically it brings back the Novice licence (without the code), makes Techs into Generals and Advanceds into Extras, and dumps ths code test except for Extras, who would still have to pass it. Basically a compromise that gives everybody something they want but doesn't give anybody everything. Two comments on the Antique Radio Relay League's news item. Your bias is showing, Alun. Sure. I don't think the League is a very progressive organisation. Firstly, it's very telling that they buried it down the page, just as they did with the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU. They post the stories in chronological order. If it's not at the top, that's because a newer story has displaced it. They did not "bury" anything. I see. Well, I guess the're not journalists. And the code test was not abolished by ITU. All that changed was that the treaty no longer requires such a test. Signatory countries are now no longer *required by treaty* to have a code test, that's all. Same thing. Secondly, it does say at the end that "it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding before that time frame", so IOW the 2006/7 is just the League's guesswork. Of course - and they make that clear in the article. Back in summer 2003, ARRL said at least two years. Which seemed incredibly long at the time, but is now turning out to be short, if anything. IMHO, the FCC will not adopt the League's proposal as such. Probably not. Nor will they adopt anyone's proposal as presented, IMHO. The FCC say that they are looking for a consensus amongst us, and they are also on record as saying that the code test useful doesn't serve any useful purpose. When did they say those things? They said that they wouldn't restructure until a consensus emerged btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! Thanks for correcting the wording, but it really isn't much of a difference And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? I don't know, but you admit they said it serves no regulatory purpose All it would take is a Memorandum Report and Order. In fact, as a temporary measure pending rewriting the rules, they could have simply ordered that anyone who passed Element 2, 3 or 4 gets Element 1 credit. But they didn't. Maybe they didn't feel that they could do that when they had 19 petitions dumped on them? There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Maybe. But back in 1998, ARRL proposed free upgrades for Novices and Tech Pluses so that there would be four classes and no closed-out classes. Others have proposed similar freebies. FCC has consistently said no, and keeps the Tech Plus, Advanced and Novice alive in their rules and database. At the current rate of decline, it may be 15 more years before the last Advanced is gone. A mistake IMO. I don't think closed classes are a good idea. It's better to make a clean break and get everybody in the same system. I predict the code test will not be a continuing feature in the NPRM, whatever else is, since eliminating a test reduces administrative burden and they are already on record as wanting to get rid of it. Yet they have not done so. If they really think Element 1 should go, why wasn't it dumped in 2003? See above. They will have to consider all the petitions and then write an NPRM that either does or doesn't restructure the licence classes. Reducing the number of classes also appeals to the FCC, so maybe they might even adopt most of the League's proposal but get rid of element 1 as well? I don't think so, though, as the line of least resistance is to keep the current test elements as they are. This means grandfathering Novice to Tech instead of Tech to General, so that is what I predict they will do. Why? Keeping the closed-out license classes costs them little or nothing. Tech Plus will disappear in a little more than 5 years, as the last Tech Plus is renewed as Tech. The other two closed-out classes are slowly dropping, yet may last a lot longer because of renewals. Maybe I'll write a proposal... 73 de Jim, N2EY It's just an unnecessary complication. Three classes are easier to enforce than six. 73 de Alun, N3KIP |
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#4
March 2nd 05, 10:43 AM
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Alun L. Palmer wrote: wrote in news:1109706299.033324.211320 @l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" wrote in nk.net: wrote in news:1109689325.032940.133970 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: http://www.arrl.org scroll down about 3 stories Article sez FCC is working on NPRM that will address all 18 existing proposals. Expected to become public about the middle of 2005. With the usual comment period, etc., Report and Order by maybe late 2006/early 2007. 73 de Jim, N2EY If the ARRL has a proposal, could you post it here for review. I refuse to visit their site anymore. TNX 73 KB7ADL I don't have the full details of the ARRL petition to hand, but basically it brings back the Novice licence (without the code), makes Techs into Generals and Advanceds into Extras, and dumps ths code test except for Extras, who would still have to pass it. Basically a compromise that gives everybody something they want but doesn't give anybody everything. Two comments on the Antique Radio Relay League's news item. Your bias is showing, Alun. Sure. I don't think the League is a very progressive organisation. At least you admit your bias. Can't argue with that! Firstly, it's very telling that they buried it down the page, just as they did with the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU. They post the stories in chronological order. If it's not at the top, that's because a newer story has displaced it. They did not "bury" anything. I see. Well, I guess the're not journalists. The webpage isn't a newspaper. By listing the stories in chrono order, you always have the newest stuff on top. And the code test was not abolished by ITU. All that changed was that the treaty no longer requires such a test. Signatory countries are now no longer *required by treaty* to have a code test, that's all. Same thing. No, completely different things. The change does not require member countries to drop the code test. Secondly, it does say at the end that "it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding before that time frame", so IOW the 2006/7 is just the League's guesswork. Of course - and they make that clear in the article. Back in summer 2003, ARRL said at least two years. Which seemed incredibly long at the time, but is now turning out to be short, if anything. IMHO, the FCC will not adopt the League's proposal as such. Probably not. Nor will they adopt anyone's proposal as presented, IMHO. The FCC say that they are looking for a consensus amongst us, and they are also on record as saying that the code test useful doesn't serve any useful purpose. When did they say those things? They said that they wouldn't restructure until a consensus emerged *When* did FCC say that? They restructured in 2000 without a consensus. btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! Thanks for correcting the wording, but it really isn't much of a difference Yes, it is. Since FCC's role is regulatory, their interest is in what should be regulated, not what's good and bad. And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? I don't know, but you admit they said it serves no regulatory purpose When did FCC say it? All it would take is a Memorandum Report and Order. In fact, as a temporary measure pending rewriting the rules, they could have simply ordered that anyone who passed Element 2, 3 or 4 gets Element 1 credit. But they didn't. Maybe they didn't feel that they could do that when they had 19 petitions dumped on them? Maybe. Or maybe their mind has changed on the subject. There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Maybe. But back in 1998, ARRL proposed free upgrades for Novices and Tech Pluses so that there would be four classes and no closed-out classes. Others have proposed similar freebies. FCC has consistently said no, and keeps the Tech Plus, Advanced and Novice alive in their rules and database. At the current rate of decline, it may be 15 more years before the last Advanced is gone. A mistake IMO. I don't think closed classes are a good idea. Why not? It's better to make a clean break and get everybody in the same system. All US hams are in the same system. IMHO, and FCC's to date, free upgrades are *not* a good idea. I predict the code test will not be a continuing feature in the NPRM, whatever else is, since eliminating a test reduces administrative burden and they are already on record as wanting to get rid of it. Yet they have not done so. If they really think Element 1 should go, why wasn't it dumped in 2003? See above. They will have to consider all the petitions and then write an NPRM that either does or doesn't restructure the licence classes. They don't have to do that to dump Element 1. They can say the issue was dealt with in the past and there's no new info and since there's no regulatory purpose served, bye bye Element 1. But they haven't. Reducing the number of classes also appeals to the FCC, so maybe they might even adopt most of the League's proposal but get rid of element 1 as well? I don't think so, though, as the line of least resistance is to keep the current test elements as they are. This means grandfathering Novice to Tech instead of Tech to General, so that is what I predict they will do. Why? Keeping the closed-out license classes costs them little or nothing. Tech Plus will disappear in a little more than 5 years, as the last Tech Plus is renewed as Tech. The other two closed-out classes are slowly dropping, yet may last a lot longer because of renewals. Maybe I'll write a proposal... 73 de Jim, N2EY It's just an unnecessary complication. Three classes are easier to enforce than six. Yet FCC *turned down* such proposals in the past. They prefer more classes to free automatic upgrades. Enforcement is a nonissue; the FCC folks know where the subbands are. And it's the rare ham who strays, judging by enforcement actions. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
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#5
March 2nd 05, 06:10 PM
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wrote in news:1109760226.362991.253290
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: wrote in news:1109706299.033324.211320 @l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" wrote in nk.net: wrote in news:1109689325.032940.133970 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: http://www.arrl.org scroll down about 3 stories Article sez FCC is working on NPRM that will address all 18 existing proposals. Expected to become public about the middle of 2005. With the usual comment period, etc., Report and Order by maybe late 2006/early 2007. 73 de Jim, N2EY If the ARRL has a proposal, could you post it here for review. I refuse to visit their site anymore. TNX 73 KB7ADL I don't have the full details of the ARRL petition to hand, but basically it brings back the Novice licence (without the code), makes Techs into Generals and Advanceds into Extras, and dumps ths code test except for Extras, who would still have to pass it. Basically a compromise that gives everybody something they want but doesn't give anybody everything. Two comments on the Antique Radio Relay League's news item. Your bias is showing, Alun. Sure. I don't think the League is a very progressive organisation. At least you admit your bias. Can't argue with that! Firstly, it's very telling that they buried it down the page, just as they did with the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU. They post the stories in chronological order. If it's not at the top, that's because a newer story has displaced it. They did not "bury" anything. I see. Well, I guess the're not journalists. The webpage isn't a newspaper. By listing the stories in chrono order, you always have the newest stuff on top. And the code test was not abolished by ITU. All that changed was that the treaty no longer requires such a test. Signatory countries are now no longer *required by treaty* to have a code test, that's all. Same thing. No, completely different things. The change does not require member countries to drop the code test. Making a requirement optional is indistinguishable from abolishing it. It's just a different form of words used to keep some countries happy. Secondly, it does say at the end that "it's possible the Commission could wrap up the proceeding before that time frame", so IOW the 2006/7 is just the League's guesswork. Of course - and they make that clear in the article. Back in summer 2003, ARRL said at least two years. Which seemed incredibly long at the time, but is now turning out to be short, if anything. IMHO, the FCC will not adopt the League's proposal as such. Probably not. Nor will they adopt anyone's proposal as presented, IMHO. The FCC say that they are looking for a consensus amongst us, and they are also on record as saying that the code test useful doesn't serve any useful purpose. When did they say those things? They said that they wouldn't restructure until a consensus emerged *When* did FCC say that? They restructured in 2000 without a consensus. Maybe a google search would find the answer to that btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! Thanks for correcting the wording, but it really isn't much of a difference Yes, it is. Since FCC's role is regulatory, their interest is in what should be regulated, not what's good and bad. i.e. no regulatory purpose means no purpose useful to them as regulators - no contradiction there And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? I don't know, but you admit they said it serves no regulatory purpose When did FCC say it? I can't recall, but you know they did. You've admitted it. All it would take is a Memorandum Report and Order. In fact, as a temporary measure pending rewriting the rules, they could have simply ordered that anyone who passed Element 2, 3 or 4 gets Element 1 credit. But they didn't. Maybe they didn't feel that they could do that when they had 19 petitions dumped on them? Maybe. Or maybe their mind has changed on the subject. I think they have beleived that since the '70s, but have hung onto the code test under pressure from some hams, including the League. The question is not whether their minds have changed (I beleive they haven't) but whether they beleive they can get rid of the pesky code test without upsetting too many hams. At this point in time I think they can, but it depends on one's definition of 'too many'. Of course, prior to 2003 they couldn't do it, but they had long since abolished the sending test anyway, even though that was required by the ITU. Talk to Phil Kane and see what he thinks of that from a purely legal perspective. You can't construe a statute in such a way as to ignore it's plain language by arguing that meeting one of the requirements indicates that you _could_meet_ (NB: not _have_met_) the other requirement. I am talking about _sending_ and receiving Morse code by _hand_ and by ear. Of course, it was a treaty, not a statute, but that should make no difference. There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Maybe. But back in 1998, ARRL proposed free upgrades for Novices and Tech Pluses so that there would be four classes and no closed-out classes. Others have proposed similar freebies. FCC has consistently said no, and keeps the Tech Plus, Advanced and Novice alive in their rules and database. At the current rate of decline, it may be 15 more years before the last Advanced is gone. A mistake IMO. I don't think closed classes are a good idea. Why not? It's better to make a clean break and get everybody in the same system. All US hams are in the same system. IMHO, and FCC's to date, free upgrades are *not* a good idea. Look at it from the other way around. It's not right to have a closed Advanced licence with some of the theory and some of the privileges of an Extra and not admit new people to it. That's not fair to the new Generals. IF OTOH, you counter that by saying that there's little difference in the theory level, then why not grandfather the Advanceds to Extra? If everything were done your way you could only create licence classes and never abolish them. Eventually you would have Heinz 57 varieties of licence, but only two or three that you could actually apply for, a system that only a civil servant could love. The only way to avoid that would be to change nothing, ever, which may be your hidden agenda. I predict the code test will not be a continuing feature in the NPRM, whatever else is, since eliminating a test reduces administrative burden and they are already on record as wanting to get rid of it. Yet they have not done so. If they really think Element 1 should go, why wasn't it dumped in 2003? See above. They will have to consider all the petitions and then write an NPRM that either does or doesn't restructure the licence classes. They don't have to do that to dump Element 1. They can say the issue was dealt with in the past and there's no new info and since there's no regulatory purpose served, bye bye Element 1. But they haven't. Reducing the number of classes also appeals to the FCC, so maybe they might even adopt most of the League's proposal but get rid of element 1 as well? I don't think so, though, as the line of least resistance is to keep the current test elements as they are. This means grandfathering Novice to Tech instead of Tech to General, so that is what I predict they will do. Why? Keeping the closed-out license classes costs them little or nothing. Tech Plus will disappear in a little more than 5 years, as the last Tech Plus is renewed as Tech. The other two closed-out classes are slowly dropping, yet may last a lot longer because of renewals. Maybe I'll write a proposal... 73 de Jim, N2EY It's just an unnecessary complication. Three classes are easier to enforce than six. Yet FCC *turned down* such proposals in the past. They prefer more classes to free automatic upgrades. Enforcement is a nonissue; the FCC folks know where the subbands are. And it's the rare ham who strays, judging by enforcement actions. 73 de Jim, N2EY I think they turned them down for lack of consensus on our part. If we agree, then they'll do it. 73 de Alun, N3KIP |
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#6
March 2nd 05, 10:19 PM
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And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? I don't know, but you admit they said it serves no regulatory purpose When did FCC say it? I can't recall, but you know they did. You've admitted it. They said it when they did restructuring back in Dec '99 |
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#7
March 3rd 05, 05:56 PM
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Alun L. Palmer wrote: wrote in news:1109760226.362991.253290 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: wrote in news:1109706299.033324.211320 @l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com: Alun L. Palmer wrote: "Vince Fiscus, KB7ADL" wrote in nk.net: wrote in news:1109689325.032940.133970 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: Firstly, it's very telling that they buried it down the page, just as they did with the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU. And the code test was not abolished by ITU. All that changed was that the treaty no longer requires such a test. Signatory countries are now no longer *required by treaty* to have a code test, that's all. Same thing. No, completely different things. The change does not require member countries to drop the code test. Making a requirement optional is indistinguishable from abolishing it. It's just a different form of words used to keep some countries happy. You wrote: "the announcement that the code test was abolished by the ITU." The *treaty requirement* was abolished, not the test itself. Very different things. The FCC say that they are looking for a consensus amongst us, and they are also on record as saying that the code test useful doesn't serve any useful purpose. When did they say those things? They said that they wouldn't restructure until a consensus emerged *When* did FCC say that? They restructured in 2000 without a consensus. Maybe a google search would find the answer to that My point is simply that something said by FCC years and years ago may or may not still be their thinking today. btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! Thanks for correcting the wording, but it really isn't much of a difference Yes, it is. Since FCC's role is regulatory, their interest is in what should be regulated, not what's good and bad. i.e. no regulatory purpose means no purpose useful to them as regulators - no contradiction there Not useful to them doesn't mean not useful at all. And if FCC still thinks the code test serves no regulatory purpose, why didn't they just dump Element 1 in late summer 2003, as proposed by at least two groups? I don't know, but you admit they said it serves no regulatory purpose When did FCC say it? I can't recall, but you know they did. You've admitted it. Not the point - of course they said it. My point is simply that something said by FCC years and years ago may or may not still be their thinking today. All it would take is a Memorandum Report and Order. In fact, as a temporary measure pending rewriting the rules, they could have simply ordered that anyone who passed Element 2, 3 or 4 gets Element 1 credit. But they didn't. Maybe they didn't feel that they could do that when they had 19 petitions dumped on them? Maybe. Or maybe their mind has changed on the subject. I think they have beleived that since the '70s, but have hung onto the code test under pressure from some hams, including the League. The question is not whether their minds have changed (I beleive they haven't) but whether they beleive they can get rid of the pesky code test without upsetting too many hams. At this point in time I think they can, but it depends on one's definition of 'too many'. What if their minds *have* changed? Perhaps they have looked at the arguments provided by pro-code-test folks, and at the results of the reduction/elimination of code testing in the USA and other countries, and have concluded that Element 1 is no big deal. Maybe they've even concluded that it *does* serve a useful, regulatory purpose! Of course, prior to 2003 they couldn't do it, but they had long since abolished the sending test anyway, even though that was required by the ITU. Talk to Phil Kane and see what he thinks of that from a purely legal perspective. You can't construe a statute in such a way as to ignore it's plain language by arguing that meeting one of the requirements indicates that you _could_meet_ (NB: not _have_met_) the other requirement. I am talking about _sending_ and receiving Morse code by _hand_ and by ear. Of course, it was a treaty, not a statute, but that should make no difference. One alleged violation of the treaty (no sending test) does not justify another. There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Maybe. But back in 1998, ARRL proposed free upgrades for Novices and Tech Pluses so that there would be four classes and no closed-out classes. Others have proposed similar freebies. FCC has consistently said no, and keeps the Tech Plus, Advanced and Novice alive in their rules and database. At the current rate of decline, it may be 15 more years before the last Advanced is gone. A mistake IMO. I don't think closed classes are a good idea. Why not? It's better to make a clean break and get everybody in the same system. All US hams are in the same system. IMHO, and FCC's to date, free upgrades are *not* a good idea. Look at it from the other way around. It's not right to have a closed Advanced licence with some of the theory and some of the privileges of an Extra and not admit new people to it. Sure it is. In fact, there's a precedent for it. From Jan 1 1953 to November 22 1967, you could not get a new Advanced but existing ones could be renewed and modified. That's not fair to the new Generals. Sure it is. They get the current tests, not the old ones. IF OTOH, you counter that by saying that there's little difference in the theory level, then why not grandfather the Advanceds to Extra? Because there *is* a difference. If everything were done your way you could only create licence classes and never abolish them. Nope. Eventually you would have Heinz 57 varieties of licence, but only two or three that you could actually apply for, a system that only a civil servant could love. The only way to avoid that would be to change nothing, ever, which may be your hidden agenda. Not at all. The closed-off license classes are slowly but surely disappearing. As hams holding those licenses upgrade or drop out, the numbers will decline and eventually reach zero. At that point, the license class can simply be written out of the rules. FCC kept Advanced as a separate license class not available to new issues from 1953 to 1967. During most of that time the "database" was not computerized. Advanceds made up about 40,000 of the then-250,000 US hams. Today with a computerized database it's a lot simpler. I think keeping old license classes is better than free upgrades. Apparently so does FCC. Yet FCC *turned down* such proposals in the past. They prefer more classes to free automatic upgrades. Enforcement is a nonissue; the FCC folks know where the subbands are. And it's the rare ham who strays, judging by enforcement actions. 73 de Jim, N2EY I think they turned them down for lack of consensus on our part. If we agree, then they'll do it. Perhaps. But we don't agree! The fact is that comments to FCC show no consensus on a number of issues. In fact, if you look at the number of *individuals* who comment pro-or-con on code testing, you find majority support *for* the test. Now since everyone is free to comment on FCC proposals, why shouldn't the majority opinion decide? 73 de Jim, N2EY |
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#8
March 3rd 05, 07:32 PM
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btw, the FCC's words were "serves no *REGULATORY* purpose" (emphasis added) not "useful purpose". BIG difference! Thanks for correcting the wording, but it really isn't much of a difference The code test is no longer *required*, but is *optional* for countries to test prospective hams for HF licenses. Which means that the treaty doesn't *forbid* code tests or code use for that matter. What if their minds *have* changed? Perhaps they have looked at the arguments provided by pro-code-test folks, and at the results of the reduction/elimination of code testing in the USA and other countries, and have concluded that Element 1 is no big deal. Maybe they've even concluded that it *does* serve a useful, regulatory purpose! The FCC noted that there's been no noticeable increase in violations in HF since they let 5wpm'ers loose on it back in 2000. Trouble spots like 14.313 predate that by many years. So 13 or 20wpm doesn't serve a regulatory purpose, and the FCC isn't in the business of handing out "gold star" awards. One alleged violation of the treaty (no sending test) does not justify another. Way back when (1976) I had to do a sending test. On a straight key mounted to a school desk test station. I pounded a few words of code and the examiner said, "okay, you pass". It seems that it was extremely rare that someone who passed code copying failed sending, so why bother? There is no consensus, so I think they will choose from whatever has been proposed those things that suit their own organisational objectives, i.e. reducing administrative burden. IOW, fewer tests and fewer licence classes suits the FCC. Then keeping code for extras but not generals doesn't satisfy the above. Either the code test exists or it is gone completely. If they decide to keep the code test, the FCC might decide to leave things the way they are now. That requires minimal effort on their part, and then they can do something else like make rules that one company can own every broadcast station and paper in every city..... Advanced licence with some of the theory and some of the privileges of an Extra and not admit new people to it. The FCC could equate 13wpm with the old element 4b (the old pre-restructuring written) and declare that every advanced is now qualified to be an extra and make them all extras. I don't have a problem with that. IF OTOH, you counter that by saying that there's little difference in the theory level, then why not grandfather the Advanceds to Extra? Because there *is* a difference. See above Enforcement is a nonissue; the FCC folks know where the subbands are. And it's the rare ham who strays, judging by enforcement actions. That means that few hams violate that rule, or many do and the FCC doesn't much worry about it. Though with databases like QRZ.com other hams may question why you seem to be out of you subband. I had this happen for a few weeks after I upgraded, and I said that I just upgraded. "Congrads" was the usual reply. I had neglected to do "whiskey alpha two india sierra echo slash alpha echo" to mark my new upgrade. No biggie. The fact is that comments to FCC show no consensus on a number of issues. In fact, if you look at the number of *individuals* who comment pro-or-con on code testing, you find majority support *for* the test. Now since everyone is free to comment on FCC proposals, why shouldn't the majority opinion decide? It's not a popularity contest, a *good* reason will trump many "votes" for a weak reason. Who decides "good" vs "weak" is another issue.... |
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#9
March 3rd 05, 09:15 PM
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robert casey wrote: N2EY wrote: What if their minds *have* changed? Perhaps they have looked at the arguments provided by pro-code-test folks, and at the results of the reduction/elimination of code testing in the USA and other countries, and have concluded that Element 1 is no big deal. Maybe they've even concluded that it *does* serve a useful, regulatory purpose! The FCC noted that there's been no noticeable increase in violations in HF since they let 5wpm'ers loose on it back in 2000. Trouble spots like 14.313 predate that by many years. So 13 or 20wpm doesn't serve a regulatory purpose, and the FCC isn't in the business of handing out "gold star" awards. No, they're not. But they ARE in the business of making sure that thier rules meet the test of the enabling regulations. Part 97.1 establishes the Basis and Purpose of the Amateur Radio Service. The B&P continues to establish an expectation of self training and communications skills that prepare the licensee to meet the needs of the B & P. So...Until Part 97 is altered per process otherwise, Morse Code is still required for access to HF allocations. And as Jim noted, so far, the overwhelming opinion of those who have cared to express an opinion is "Morse Code skills are needed"...Even if Lennie says they aren't... 73 Steve, K4YZ |
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#10
March 4th 05, 04:38 AM
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"Alun L. Palmer" wrote in message ... wrote in news:1109760226.362991.253290 @o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com: [snip] Making a requirement optional is indistinguishable from abolishing it. It's just a different form of words used to keep some countries happy. Abolishing the requirement would have meant that all countries would have had to drop code testing. That is not what the ITU did. [snip] I think they have beleived that since the '70s, but have hung onto the code test under pressure from some hams, including the League. The question is not whether their minds have changed (I beleive they haven't) but whether they beleive they can get rid of the pesky code test without upsetting too many hams. At this point in time I think they can, but it depends on one's definition of 'too many'. In what ways is the code test a nuisance to the FCC? Dee D. Flint, N8UZE |
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