[TenTec] Re: ARRL proposal

[Norman Wald]

I know that the TenTec reflector is not the place for the ongoing
discussion regarding licensing changes, but as a person who owes his
livelihood to what I learned to get my ham license, and from my experience
as a volunteer examiner...

It's about time we got rid of the Novice class, it's been nearly
non-existent for many years now. But you're going to make many Generals
angry that they now will have the same privileges as Tech Plus and Novice.
I don't think Advanced or Extras are going to lose anything, in fact will
be gaining some band width that our DX cousins have been using for years.

I have many friends who are Technician and Tech Plus class that would have
gone to General, Advanced or even Extra except for the CW. Most of the
Techs that I have known are more qualified in electronics than I am with my
Extra! Often their communication skills leave little to be desired.
Therefore the CW speed requirement has always been an arbitrary barrier.
And by the way, I operate 90 percent CW at 30 wpm plus!

Certainly having an Extra class license doesn't stop the Yahoo's on 75
meters (and often on 20) from acting like animals. What's the difference
between much of 75 and 11 meters? One group passed a rigorous set of tests
in electronic theory, rules and regulations, and 20 wpm Morse code!

You know, we are a TECHNICAL HOBBY. Remember the reason the FCC and the ITU
let Ham Radio exist? May I quote?

a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the
public as a voluntary non-commercial communication service, particularly
with respect to providing emergency communications.
b) Continuation and extension of the Amateur's unique ability to enhance
the advancement of the radio art.
c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur radio service  through
rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communications and
technical phases of the art.
d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of
trained operators, technicians and electronic experts.
e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance
international good will.

Uh, did I leave anything out? Have the principles of the charter under
which we exist changed?

This means thst when new technology evolves, we should investigate it and
perhaps embrace it. I'm just old enough to remember that many hams fought
against SSB feeling it would kill AM! Many much older hams remember that CW
was going to be the death of good old fashioned spark! How many of us still
build our own radios? When was the last time you had a conversation with
someone on the air about something other than the weather or a hit and run
599 exchange?

We as hams therefore must evolve with change, or become extinct in clinging
to what once was while hoping that change won't effect us. In other words:
grow, or die.

Respectfully,

Norman N9NW




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