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#27
August 3rd 05, 12:02 AM
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Michael Coslo wrote:
wrote: Dee Flint wrote: wrote in message groups.com... Dee Flint wrote: wrote in message legroups.com... Dee Flint wrote: Or perhaps FCC thinks that anybody who really wants HF should just go for General or Extra. But what would be the rationale of giving the priveliges of a class that tehy chose to remove (not test for, and eventually merge with Technician) earlier? I'm not sure what you're getting at, Mike. 05-235 isn't just an NPRM, and it isn't just about Element 1. It's actually FCC's response to the 18 petitions, and denies most of what was requested, with explanations of FCC's reasoning. For example, FCC states that they see a 3-license-class system as the correct number of license classes to work towards. They specifically deny four-class and two-class suggestions (sorry, Hans - FCC obviously read your ideas and disagreed). Yet at the same time FCC doesn't want free upgrades, giveaways, more complexity in the license structure, nor anybody to lose privileges. FCC also doesn't see any need for a new entry level license, nor changes in the subband structure, nor big changes in the written test methods. All this is spelled out in detail in 05-235. It's not speculation nor interpretation. One by one, almost all the proposed changes are denied by FCC. All that is left up for grabs is the one remaining code test, which FCC proposes to eliminate. As I've said before, I'm surprised it took FCC this long. When FCC wrote in the R&O for 98-143 that the only reason Element 1 was being retained was the treaty, the future was pretty clear. The only testing difference between a Tech and Tech Plus/Tech- with-HF is that the latter passed Element 1 and the former did not. The latter has some HF privileges and the former has none. The FCC says that Element 1 is no longer necessary, and proposes to remove it completely. If someone accepts that reasoning, it follows that all Techs should have the same privileges - but that's not what FCC proposes?! The only explanation I can think of is that FCC is looking for long-range simplification. Perhaps what FCC wants in the long term is for all entry-level licensees to be on VHF/UHF only, and require at least a General for HF. It is hard to say what the FCC was thinking. However perhaps they too are looking at the statistics and interpret it as no need for the introductory license to have HF privileges. Afterall the Novice are declining at a fast enough pace that it looks like almost none are active and that almost all are failing to renew. They can easily go into the data as they have it and see how many Tech Pluses actually upgraded, let themselves lapse, or simply renewed. The last indicating a low activity level and/or interest level since they have not upgraded. The number of upgrades isn't easily obtained from the database, though. Also, they may be thinking that this keeps the minimum number to tests to get onto HF at least at two. The Novices had to take two and Techs after April 2000 had to take two to get on HF. Prior to that, Techs had to take 3 tests to get on HF (Novice written, Tech written, and code). True enough! And when you consider that the old, pre-restructuring 20 wpm *Extra* was earned by at least one third-grader at the age of 8, it's a bit hard to accept that the written tests are "too hard". (OTOH, the same can be said about the code tests...) They also discussed the concept that they do not want Techs to stay at the Tech level. They consider upgrading as a significant element in individuals fulfilling the basis and purpose of ham radio (i.e. self training, etc). Allowing the Technicians some HF privileges reduces the motivation to upgrade. And the FCC repeately referred to the Techs being able to get on HF by taking the simple written test to upgrade to General. It gets more and more interesting. Sounds like a rebirth of Incentive Licensing. THey better call it something else! ;^) Why? FCC specifically uses the term "incentives" and says the primary incentive is spectrum space. They say such incentives will not be removed. In the discussion where FCC denies automatic upgrades and expansion of privileges for various license classes, FCC says such things are disincentives to upgrading. In fact if you read the document carefully, there's a bit of a tone that says 'how easy do you want us to make it? We're saying we'll dump the code test. If you want the privs, take the tests!' Think about it: FCC saying that it's *not OK* to stay a Tech!?! That upgrading is part of being a good ham and supporting the Basis and Purpose... Works for me! Yup. It's clear where FCC wants things to go. Start out the beginners on VHF/UHF, offering HF/MF as the big incentive to get a General. Those who want those little pieces of HF and a fancy callsign can go for Extra. They're also clearly saying that anybody with an existing license will be able to upgrade by just taking a written test, so what's the problem? Are the tests really so hard, and VE sessions so difficult to access? Eventually the closed-off license classes will disappear from the database, and the rules governing them will be removed. -- Another idea: Suppose Element 1 is eliminated, but the number of US hams continues to decline. What will be the fix then? 73 de Jim, N2EY 313 |
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