[UK-CONTEST] UK/US licensing (Off Topic)

[Chris Partington]

Hi Ken,

 

I didn't really want to get into a debate about the old versus new system,
but anyway.

 

TBH, I don't remember it taking that long to receive results after taking
the C & G exam. I suppose it may have depended in which part of the Country
you were in etc.

 

In my case I took the RAE in May 1981 at Melton College of FE and was
licensed in July 1981, although I had taken the CW test just before the
Christmas 1980 at the tender age of 17.

 

At the time I was studying Physics A level, which helped me in many ways. At
the time also, due to my nationality I got a G5 call.

 

Visiting amateurs to this Country were allowed to take out a UK G5 call
using the FCC exam results without having to take the UK test. The CEPT
changes wrt to reciprocal licences was a good thing in that visiting
amateurs were able to operate using their own calls eg G/N*** without the
hassle of applying to get a UK call. In doing that, it meant that I lost my
G5 call and was allocated a G0 call, which at the time did not bother me. 

 

This then led to a problem with amateurs permanently resident in the UK
after this change in that they had to take the RAE to obtain a UK call, in
my view a backwards step. If any Amateur has passed the test in their own
Country they should be able to apply for a UK call using their Certification
and receive a UK call, no issue. The guy from the States who wishes to get a
UK call, is in a ridiculous situation in having to start taking the
Foundation course, then Intermediate followed by the Full course, it's
laughable.

 

The problem with the current system is, as I previously posted, is that
students or visiting amateurs with technical ability will find the
Foundation Licence too easy, almost tedious. I can't understand why a
potential amateur or existing amateur is not able to go straight to the Full
licence if he/she is able complete the exam. The Expert class US ham was the
most technically difficult and challenging radio exam in the World, the
thought of an Expert Class US ham taking the Foundation Course, makes me
cringe.

 

Furthermore, the RSGB are now involved in the system. As anyone who deals
with systems, they will know that the smaller  the number of people involved
in the system the better. Systems are only as good as the people involved in
using them. Systems are there to be developed and improved, not to be made
over-bureaucratic, top heavy and tedious.

 

I hope I have been factually correct in this post, if not I welcome any
comments and corrections.

 

73's,

 

Chris G0CLP/P