QRE: [Elecraft] Slow Code Watering Holes?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/26/06 6:16:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
rondec at easystreet.com writes:


> It's too bad we no longer have the Novice license and bands,
> because it gave everyone a place to congregate while developing CW skills.
> 

???

Yes, the Novice license was closed to new issues back in 2000. But the 
"Novice bands" still exist! 

And while FCC no longer issues Tech Plus licenses, if a Tech passes Element 
1, s/he gets access to those bands.

So in effect we still have a form of the Novice. If a newcomer passes Element 
1 and  Element 2, the licensed issued is a Technician but the licensee has 
"Novice" HF privileges (plus all VHF/UHF).

An informal organization caled SKCC has been promoting CW activity by making 
their "watering holes" in the 80 and 40 meter "Novice" bands (3720 and 7120).

73 de Jim, N2EY

SKCC #307