Mike Raisbeck asked that I post on ODV this note I sent to him yesterday. I am mindful that Joel an the EC are working on the question of an Entry level license proposal and don’t mean to be stepping on any toes.

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Mike:

The Novice license didn’t “fail” because there weren’t enough frequencies. It ceased to be of interest when prospective Amateurs could get a license by just taking a written examination. It wasn’t a matter of frequencies. Though Techs have a wide range of VHF/UHF frequencies and modes to choose from most of them have self limited themselves to the local FM repeater pairs. Either they aren’t interested in HF or aren’t willing or interested enough to acquire 5 wpm Morse proficiency. Most of those folks never try weak signal VHF or UHF. Why? I suspect it is because they like the “solid” contacts on FM. However, the truth is I really don’t know why.

Any survey is open to question and improvement. I have all the electronic replies to the survey I took in the Dakota Division and I could if I had the time enter the information in a relational database. That doesn’t seem necessary when 73.8% of respondents say the entry level license should permit power levels of 100 watts or more and only 8.3% think entry level licensees should have full General privileges.

I’ve worked enough QRP to know that it can be very frustrating for a new ham to keep getting stomped on by medium to big power. It was tough enough with 75 watts as a Novice. Sure I can do quite well running 100 watts with a Yagi at 40+ feet, but that is as much a function of modern gear and 45 years experience as anything else. My 15 years teaching license classes and running VE teams convinces me new hams are very easily discouraged. I just don’t think 5 watts in the” ocean” will do it. I think they will be less likely to be discouraged if the allocations are meaningful and they have a fighting chance based on power. The phrase I like to use is that the allocations and power limits should be intriguing but not satisfying.

73,

Jay, KØQB