[Amps] FCC Denies Expert Linears' Request for Waiver of 15 dB Rule;

[Steve Thompson]

For most of the 40odd years I've had my licence, it's given me a 
unique privilege: that of being able to operate a transmitter 
which hasn't been checked, tested or type approved by someone 
else. No other public or commercial user can. The exam 
requirements go into theory a bit beyond 'basic stuff'. I assume 
that applies elsewhere too.

The UK now has a entry level which excludes homebrewing or 
modifying gear, limited to 10W and requiring commercial gear 
certified to meet EU EMC regs (not that anyone enforces either).

I hope that's not the thin end of a wedge. I recognise ham radio 
has become primarily about assembling and operating a station 
rather than designing and building one but I think the hobby would 
be much poorer if the homebrew side was squeezed out.

Steve

> The basic underlying reason for licensing hams was to prevent the
> utter chaos on the air that was prevalent before licensing. The
> licenses are all about operating, not technical skill beyond the
> basics to get on the air:  Making a resonant antenna, understanding
> SWR, and the like. Basic stuff.
>
> Now days there is also a political issue. There are about 700,000
> hams, many or most of whom vote. That is a constituency no politician
> wants to offend.
>
> As to the rest of our post:  Whatever.
>
> 73, Bill W6WRT