“Why did she bother to get the license?”
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THAT is the key question!
1. FCC has enforcement authority over the airwaves and can impose fines and even jail time for offenders.
2. There are FCC-santioned volunteer enforcers that will send postcard notifications to a licensed operator for minor things (too much power, operating outside of band, causing interference).
3. Anyone can purchase amateur radio equipment - no license required.
4. Virtually EVERY piece of ham transmitter equipment you can buy is capable of transmmitting outside the Technician frequencies. Hams are supposed to ‘self-police’.
Given these facts, the only reason I can surmise to answer your question is...
Many repeaters are ‘closed’ meaning you have to be a member of a club or group in order to gain access. In order to be a member of a club, you generally need to show them your license. If you can’t present a license, or don’t have one yet, there’s no reason for you to get the repeater codes. Thus, getting the basic Technician license would get you onto many repeater networks through club membership. Hiding in plain sight?
Quod erat demonstrandum.
K
This makes Ol' Nell the fall guy, or gal. Even with Steven Schmidt, no names multiple repeater owner, Nellie’s license is the ticket round the world.