"Bill Sohl" wrote in message
. net...

"Dee Flint" wrote in message
. ..

[snip]

Well I would propose dropping the Tech altogether and upping the General
written to 50 question test once the code is dropped. The difference in
technical material is not great and it's not that hard to memorize the
difference in privileges.

Sounds reasonable to me. My ultimate view/perspective...
we need a tiered license structure that makes sense.

Once the code is dropped, in the classes that I teach, I will combine the
material and encourage all the students to go straight to General. There
really won't be a need for an introductory license.

But they'll still need to approach the testing on a two element
basis.


Agreed. Just like when I got my Tech+ (called Tech with HF then) in 1992.
I had to take all the elements involved (i.e. code and two writtens) but I
went straight to the Tech+ and never held a Novice.

For now, people will still have to take two writtens to get to General after
the code is dropped but I can see the possibility of an eventual two license
system (General and Extra).

My question to you...
should there be a true introductory license to bring
new hams, especially youth, to ham radio along the lines
of the previous Novice. THE only reason (IMHO)
that Novice ceased to be the entry level exam
was because Novice didn't get folks the majority of
repeater operation which is now a mainstay of
ham radio.


No I don't think an introductory license is needed anymore. The material
for the General written is well within the grasp of young people to learn
and comprehend. It's really no more difficult than what they are supposed
to be learning in school. It is merely different.

Going straight to General will result in the candidate having a wide range
of privileges available at both VHFand up and at HF and down. This will be
more meaningful and (in my opinion) more successful than some scaled down
introductory license.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE