[CW] Re: Here come the Attacks!

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/23/04 12:51:06 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
wa4jqs@mikrotec.com writes:


> ok how about this one?
> 
Sounds a bit unwieldy. How about this:

While I am 100% in favor of continued Morse code testing, there are other 
issues in the license structure that need addressing. The following are some 
ideas on a revised license
structure beyond the code test issue. Under the following structure, code 
tests could be applied to all, any or none of the license classes. 

The suggested changes are intended to make the entry-level license both 
easier to get and an "entrance gate" to more of ham radio than the current
Technician, while retaining and strengthening the other two licensing levels. 
The changes are also intended to more closely link additional knowledge
with additional privileges. 

The proposal has 10 concepts:

1) Three classes of license: Basic, Intermediate, Full (these names used to 
avoid confusion with existing names - use Third/Second/First, Novice/General/ 
Extra, whatever, concept is the same) All licenses are 10 year term and fully 
renewable/modifiable. 

2) HF/MF bands including 160 split into subbands by mode and split again by 
license class. WARC bands may be split by mode only, and no analog 'phone on 30 
meters. Bottom of each band is CW only, middle is CW/digital, top is 
CW/phone/image. Percentage division about 20%/30%/50% (varies with band). "Digital" 
includes digital voice modes if bandwidth under 1 kHz. 

3) "Basic" license test is simple 20-25 question exam on regs, procedures, 
and safety. Very few technical and RF exposure questions. Main objective is to 
insure Basics know the rules, safety and some procedures. Basics get 100-50 
watts on HF/MF and 25 watts or so on VHF/UHF (power level is below the point 
where RF exposure evaluation is required). Modes are CW, analog voice, PSK31, RTTY 
and some of the other common data modes like packet. Basics cannot be VEs, 
control ops for repeaters, or club trustees. Basics get most VHF/UHF and about 
half of HF/MF spectrum, including parts of all subbands-by-mode. Basic is meant 
as the entry level - 21st century Novice. Easy to get, lots of privs, yet 
there's still a reason to upgrade. 

4) "Intermediate" license test is more complex 60-75 question exam on 
regulations, procedures, safety and RF exposure. Intermediates get 300-400 watts on 
all bands, all modes. Intermediates can be VEs after qualification (see below), 
control ops for repeaters, and club trustees. Intermediates get all VHF/UHF 
and about three quarters of HF/MF spectrum. Intermediate requires at least one 
year experience as a Basic. 

5) "Full" license test is quite complex 100-120 question exam on regs, 
procedures, safety and technical stuff. Mostly technical, with some regs to cover 
expanded privs. Fulls get all privileges, modes, bands, etc. except that Fulls 
can be VEs only after qualification (see below). Full license requires at least 
one year as an Intermediate. 

6) Basics have six-character calls, Intermediates have five- or six-character 
calls, and Fulls have four-, five-, or six-character calls. Nobody has to 
give up an existing callsign. 

7) Separate 30-35 question test for VE qualification, open to Intermediates 
and Fulls, which allows them to be VEs. Existing VEs are grandfathered without 
retesting. 

8) Existing Novices, Techs and Tech Pluses become Basics, existing Generals 
and Advanceds become Intermediates, and existing Extras become Fulls. Existing 
Tech Pluses who can show proof of license before Mar 21, 1987 get 
Intermediates.  If a an already-licensed ham's new license class has fewer privileges than 
the existing class, the ham can continue to use their current privileges as 
long as they retain license documents showing their old license class. This 
feature is identical to Technician Pluses who have been renewed as Technicians 
retaining their HF privileges. 

9) Change to new system is six months to one year after announcement to allow 
time for question pool reorganization and to allow existing hams can upgrade 
under present rules if they so desire. 

10) Experience requirement is not waived for existing hams to upgrade, but 
their time in existing classes counts.
End result is a system that is easy to get into and has reasonable but 
meaningful steps to reach full privileges. 

Testing matches the privs granted. Power levels are set about one S-unit 
apart. Nobody loses any privileges. There are only three license classes and four 
written tests, so FCC doesn't have more work. 

Examples of new subbands by mode and license class: 

80/75 meters 3500-3575 CW only 
3575-3750 CW/data 
3750-4000 CW/analog phone/image 
Basic: 3525-3625 and 3900-4000 
Intermediate: 3525-3750 and 3850-4000 
Full: 3500-4000 

40 meters 7000-7060 CW only 
7060-7150 CW/data 
7150-7300 CW/analog phone/image 
Basic: 7025-7125 and 7225-7300 
Intermediate: 7025-7150 and 7175-7300 
Full: 7000-7300 

73 de Jim, N2EY



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