At 11:29 AM 3/7/2018, Roderick, Rick, K5UR via arrl-odv wrote:

I've heard several reports that some members were surprised by the announcement, yet when reminded that we have written about it previously and received over 8000 comments then most seem to recall at least a little something about "that project."

When I've given talks about it to groups, I mention rather quickly that it's not a dumbing down and we have no plans to suggest the test be weakened. In fact, we need to beef it up to address the new enhancements.

No!    The point the ELL made is that the Tech test is already way too comprehensive for a beginners license.   The current exam covers HF, digital and phone modes so there is no need to make it harder or more comprehensive as a result of allowing digital/phone on 80-40-15.

When the FCC dropped CW as a requirement, the Question Pool committee over-reacted and made the exams more difficult. That was not the right decision.   It would not be the right decision to make them harder in this case either.   One of the points made in our petition is that there is no (or very little) need for changes in the Question Pool.

       -- Tom

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e-mail: k1ki@arrl.org ARRL New England Division Director http://www.arrl.org/
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box J, West Suffield CT 06093 Phone: 860-668-5444