Interesting comments posted in the rec.boats.cruising NG:

Subject: Ham license issue
Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 09:08:44 -0400
From: Larry

I thought the ARRL only acted in an advisory role.

FCC has been heavily lobbied by ARRL since the 1930's. Because of this
fact, ARRL has had a virtual lock on what FCC does about ham radio.
ARRL
is the only reason voice transmission is segregated in tiny bands. ARRL
caused the stupid caste system where their old buddies that were
grandfathered into Extra had the finest DX frequencies, while newcomers
had
to struggle through the caste system ARRL created with "incentive
licensing" all these years. It nearly has ruined ham radio,
discouraging
the young from joining the caste system.

In more recent history, a new communications mode has bypassed this
nonsense created by ARRL. The youngsters now have computers on
broadband
internet and can talk to anyone they like, bypassing this archaic caste
system ARRL created. So, ham radio is dying of old age, still stuck in
the
caste system.

FCC, noticing ham radio's demise, has recently broken away from allowing
ARRL to virtually run things. FCC dumped part of the caste system by
eliminating Novice and Advanced Class caste system licenses. FCC, over
the
strenuous lobbying of ARRL, dumped 20 and 13 wpm code tests the caste
system used to prevent too many people from getting ham licenses and
crowding the old farts on their little near-private HF bands. Too bad
this
attempt to save it was too slow and too late.

Set up two tables 15 feet apart at any function for young people, say a
Scout Jamboree or school function. On one table put up a gee-whiz ham
radio exhibit with a big antenna and all the toys. On the other table,
put
a PC hooked to the internet with nothing but a simple sign saying
"Internet
Access". Watch what happens. Ham radio is, rightly, perceived as an
old
man's hobby. Internet just attracts them like flies to sugar. Too
slow,
too late, too DOOMED....and it's all ARRL's fault and the old farts that
run it.

--
Skipper