[CW] petitions for rulemaking

[Robert Maskill]

Donald Chester wrote:

>> there are three new petitions for rulemaking for
>> amateur radio license restructuring that the fcc is
>> soliciting comments on.
> 
> 
>> i particularly objected to RM-10870, filed by the
>> national conference of volunteer examiner
>> coordinators. Their petition would prohibit licensees
>> with the entry-level license from homebrewing their
>> own apparatus(!).
> 
> 
> They adopted a similar rule in Canada a decade or so ago.  This will 
> institutionalise appliance operating in the rules once and for all.  It 
> could eventually evolve into mandatory type acceptance for all amateur 
> equipment for all classes, like CB is today.
> 
> When I passed my Novice test in 1959, I used the two-month waiting 
> period before the ticket arrived, to build my 30-watt 6AG7-807 homebrew 
> transmitter and get it working into a light bulb.  I still needed help 
> from the experienced ham who gave me the exam to get it to load into a 
> real antenna.  We finally got it on the air and I made my first contact 
> while he was still in the shack.
> If that thrill is denied to newcomers, they might just as well use a 
> cell phone or wireless internet connection to communicate, and not even 
> bother with a ham licence.
> 
> And some people still insist that ham radio hasn't been dumbed down!
> 
> What's the point in continuing the charade of Incentive Licensing, with 
> all the useless operator class subband divisions and exams with 
> published question pools?
> 
> Don K4KYV
> 

The entry level licence in the UK does not allow for home brew or 
converted equipment.

I have heard new licencees who have spent lot's of money on commercial kit.
-- 
Robert Maskill G4PYR
Peterborough Cambridgeshire
www.coastalradio.greater-peterborough.com
www.robertmaskill.dsl.pipex.com