[BARC-List] License Structure

[Dave Hunt]

What an interesting new proposal for the licensing structure, given
the changes to the international regulations adopted by WARC 03.
Let's take simplification even further!

Why have a stratified license structure at all?  Suppose we were to
fold all the license classes into one new license.  Lets' just call it
"Amateur Radio Operator".  Give licensees all the privileges of what
we now call the "Extra", and require passage of a written exam like
that we require of the "General".  To keep the Amateur Radio Service
one of "self-training" etc, we could require that operators re-cirtify
periodically.  We could either give administration of the exams back
to the FCC or have the FCC be the one who acredits VE teams.

I know this needs some fleshing out, but, what do you all think?

-Dave  wx1g