Should Technicians be given 17m, 12m, and 10m phone?

[WA4BRL]

I look at it this way:

Novices and Techs have had 10m access for more than twenty years. Most 10m SSB activity takes place in the 28.300 -- 28.500 window, so it's not as if the Techs have been missing out on DX. Letting Techs have the full range might get more hams of all licenses to utilize more of the 10m spectrum (there's quite a bit of it!). I've always wondered how to get more hams to use 10m above 28.500. Also, allowing Techs all modes on 10m only would give them a chance to try AM and FM HF.

17m is a band that American hams often use, but 12m is often underutilized. Giving Techs full privileges on 12m will increase the utilization of the band. Maybe 17m should be reserved for General and up. Still, I don't see why a band like 12m should lay fallow. If hams with higher tickets aren't using 12m, give it to the introductory license.

Although Techs have limited CW privileges on 80 and 40, realistically most Techs will only have 28.300 to 28.500 as their HF experience. Allowing Techs one or two more bands might not only relieve 28.300 -- 28.500 congestion but also get hams of all licenses to use underutilized bandwidth.

I'm actually not a phone operator. Still, all bands, including the unused space on 10m and the phone WARCs, should be used frequently. Maybe I'd be against this idea if I operated phone more than CW.

73, Jordan

No, Jordan.

Technician licensees already have an easy way to get those privileges. They may earn them just like everyone else did. Jeez, it's not like you have to pass a 13-wpm code test or sit before an FCC examiner to take a test of unpublished questions, sweating out whether you studied the right subject material. You simply study known rules and theory and then repeatedly take practice tests made up of the exact questions and answers will be be used to create the real exam.

Why would you believe that any new privileges should be just handed over to you or any others? Such a lazy attitude seems like the drudgingly predictable result of an entitlement complex. My advice is to immediately reject any semblance of that attitude. You'll be better off for it.

You have successfully identified something you want. Know that this is a good and positive thing. Now set forth and do what's required to achieve it. That's a life lesson.

[AF6LJ]

So is the EXTRA. All three test are easy memorization test. The pool of questions just gets larger.

That's reason enough to leave things alone.
I have to admit I wish the Extra was more theory intensive.
(I guess it's a good thing they don't let me make the rules )

[AB2T]

Ok, if we are talking about "giving" more band space to the techs, let's look at a couple of more areas that could be looked at and let's see who got ripped off in all that has happened in the past 15 years.
1) All advanced class should get extra class privileges. Why? They had no access to questions/answers pool and they had to take a comprhensive test in front of an FCC examiner at least equal to the present extra class pool test.They also had to have a 13 WPM code test in front of that examiner.
2)All generals licensed before 1986 should get advanced class privileges. Why? They had to have a 13 WPM code test passed in front of an FCC examiner.....Plus they had to pass a no questions/answer pool test also in front of an FCC examiner.
Do see where this is all going????? There are many hams that can have their hats out for the instant upgrade program.

I remember the day I passed the Extra. It was a weekday, Thursday? Mom drove me to the test center, so she already knew that I passed. She was called in from the waiting room with me when the results were read.

Back home.

"Dad, I passed the Extra." Pause.

"Oh, that means your done your ham exams now. Good for you."

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I got attaboys from the VE's in my club. "Congrats, Jordan, you'll never have to take a test again!" I was too young to be a VE, but I was allowed to hang out outside the testing room. That was that. 16 years ago.

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I would expect someone who has been licensed only a short time to perhaps feel shortchanged if the Technician license were "enhanced". I was very surprised when hams that have been licensed for a long time have had a similarly visceral and negative reaction to my proposal. I wasn't thrilled when five classes were reduced to three. I was particularly unhappy when the 5 wpm was dropped for all classes. However, the experiences of the past decade have taught me that license evolution and rationalization will continue. Perhaps changes should be viewed in a positive light, given that the hobby must continually adapt to circumstances or perish. Still, I am saddened that at every juncture in licensing evolution we hams must battle with one another. For the vast majority of us, our livelihoods are not dependent on our tickets. A non-ham would be forgiven to think this given our tenacity.

I apologize to the moderators for having brought this question to the table. The reactions are predictable. Changes arrive only when absolutely necessary, as in the cases of international treaty changes and similar.

73, Jordan

[WA4BRL]

I'd vote no on the specifics and the reason....BUT....

I think we loose a lot of Techs who get licensed, try 10 as their HF experience, have limited luck in the down cycle, or time of day they can work, and decide it ain't that fun. I did end up going on to extra but I do remember working 10 as a tech and thinking this sucks...four days for one local ground prop CQ I recall.

I think an additional phone allocation in the lower bands somewhere would be good for giving them a real HF experience and much more motivational for them to go on. Sad as it is, there isn't the same interest in CW as their was when the whole novice/tech band scheme was originally designed....time to adapt.

Ten-meter phone needn't be a technician's only HF experience. They also have CW privileges on 80, 40, and 15 meters (as well as CW and digital on 10). If they don't learn the code and make use of it, it's by their own choice.

Perhaps the FCC should make the Technician license non-renewable and good for only one year. Those who are and wish to continue being good hams will upgrade to General or Extra. After all, it's not like they need time to build code speed in order to move up. The whiney gimme-gimme guys will disappear from the database after twelve months.

[WA4BRL]

As far as giving away the WARC bands to the techs...remember....it is just 35 more questions for a whole new HF experience. A great deal!

Kudos 'EET. I think you said it best.

[K7JEM]

I would expect someone who has been licensed only a short time to perhaps feel shortchanged if the Technician license were "enhanced". I was very surprised when hams that have been licensed for a long time have had a similarly visceral and negative reaction to my proposal. I wasn't thrilled when five classes were reduced to three. I was particularly unhappy when the 5 wpm was dropped for all classes. However, the experiences of the past decade have taught me that license evolution and rationalization will continue. Perhaps changes should be viewed in a positive light, given that the hobby must continually adapt to circumstances or perish. Still, I am saddened that at every juncture in licensing evolution we hams must battle with one another. For the vast majority of us, our livelihoods are not dependent on our tickets. A non-ham would be forgiven to think this given our tenacity.

I have been a ham for 37 years and have always seen this attitude of "never change the privs" by a lot of hams. In reality, the vast majority of hams don't care, but many are vocal in their opposition to even minimal changes.

I think, in order to properly do this, it would require a name change for all of the HR licenses. Call them Basic, Full, and CEPT. The basic could be a test similar to what we have now for tech, but with greatly expanded HF privs, including all bands. Power restriction of 100 to 200 watts across the board. The full license would grant all amateur privs, on all bands. Like the extra is today, but testing like the general. The CEPT would be same as full, but testing would comply with all the CEPT or other IARU standards needed for full acceptance worldwide.

Techs would be granted basic privs, generals would be granted full privs, and advanced and extra would be granted CEPT privs. On renewal, the license would be converted to the new class automatically. Changing the name would solve some problems with some people, but nothing will ever make some people happy, if they perceive others are getting some sort of "freebie". That is just human nature, and very apparent in the ham ranks. "I had to do it, so everyone has to do it!"

Joe

[W4AFB]

I'm just glad i never have to see those tests again.

[AB2T]

No, Jordan.
Technician licensees already have an easy way to get those privileges. They may earn them just like everyone else did. Jeez, it's not like you have to pass a 13-wpm code test or sit before an FCC examiner to take a test of unpublished questions,

[...]

You have successfully identified something you want. Know that this is a good and positive thing. Now set forth and do what's required to achieve it. That's a life lesson.

Hold on here. I passed the Extra in 1996. I actually did not pass the 13 wpm, because I passed the 20 wpm and skipped over the middle code test.

Steve, I've been a ham a lot longer than you think I've been.

I'm not requesting reform for my benefit.

73, Jordan

[AB2T]

I think, in order to properly do this, it would require a name change for all of the HR licenses. Call them Basic, Full, and CEPT. The basic could be a test similar to what we have now for tech, but with greatly expanded HF privs, including all bands. Power restriction of 100 to 200 watts across the board.

While I don't mind power restrictions at 200W (I never go above ~120W myself), many operators would have difficulty with such a restriction. I am fairly certain that the US can set an internal power limit (1500 W) without consultation with the CEPT. I am not sure, but the FCC probably has autonomy in this respect. Hams with current CEPT privileges must abide by the regulations of the host country. Most likely, CEPT licencees would have 1500W ERP when operating on US territory.

The full license would grant all amateur privs, on all bands. Like the extra is today, but testing like the general. The CEPT would be same as full, but testing would comply with all the CEPT or other IARU standards needed for full acceptance worldwide.

Techs would be granted basic privs, generals would be granted full privs, and advanced and extra would be granted CEPT privs. On renewal, the license would be converted to the new class automatically. Changing the name would solve some problems with some people, but nothing will ever make some people happy, if they perceive others are getting some sort of "freebie". That is just human nature, and very apparent in the ham ranks. "I had to do it, so everyone has to do it!"

I think your proposal is great. However, it's important to note that many, if not most, hams will stop at Full. The CEPT license is only necessary if one travels abroad frequently. I do, but I rarely have a chance to operate abroad (I wish I did, but I rarely have the time to find a station). A FCC-issued CEPT license would be great for those with vacation homes and DXpedition travelers. Still, many operators would stop at Full unless a certain vanity call is desired.

73, Jordan

[K7JEM]

While I don't mind power restrictions at 200W (I never go above ~120W myself), a lot of operators would have difficulty with such a restriction. I am fairly certain that the US can set an internal power limit (1500 W) without consultation with the CEPT. I am not sure, but the FCC probably has autonomy in this respect. Hams with current CEPT privileges must abide by the regulations of the host country. Most likely, CEPT licencees would have 1500W ERP when operating on US territory.

I am only suggesting the power limit for the basic licensee. On all frequencies, including above 50 MHz, where techs now have a 1500 watt limit. 99+% of techs do not use high power on the VHF bands. The 1500 watt limit would remain in effect for full and CEPT.

I think your proposal is great. However, it's important to note that many, if not most, hams will stop at Full. The CEPT license is only necessary if one travels abroad frequently. I do, but I rarely have a chance to operate abroad. A FCC-issued CEPT license would be great for those with vacation homes and DXpedition travelers. Still, many operators would stop at Full unless a certain vanity call is desired.

73, Jordan

I realize that most hams would not need the CEPT. The full license would convey every priv now enjoyed by extras, except the CEPT certification, and the ability to be a VE for CEPT candidates. Many hams would still get the CEPT, even if they didn't need it, just because it is there. The new FCC regulations would require that the syllabus and question pools would always be CEPT compliant, regardless of what became of the tests for the lower classes.

Joe