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I can see the similarities between FR and amateur radio too. A good place to "rag chew" as they say. By the way, the last time I checked the ARRL/FCC records, I believe there are close to 600,000 amateur radio operators in the US.

So we need a lot more FR members to equal that number!

As for the license changes, I guess it's one way to keep the hobby alive, since computers and the internet have had a severe impact on new amateur operator applications in the last 10 years.

Well, it's a little jarring for there to be license class changes proposed so soon. I was granted my Technician (no-code) license in 1999, before the license changes that came the next year. That change eliminated the Novice class license and reduced Morse Code requirements.

These newly proposed changes would eliminate my Technician license class and the Advanced class, reinstate a Novice (or similarly-named) class license, and increase HF privileges on all three license classes. A Morse Code requirement of only 5 wpm would be applicable only on the highest license class of Extra.

Personally, I'm for the license class changes for two reasons: one selfish, and one practical. The selfish reason is that since I have a no-code Tech license, I would be "grandfathered" into a General class license and instantly have HF privileges that I don't have, because I have been too lazy to learn Morse Code. The practical reason is that since I would suddenly enjoy HF privileges, I will definitely be playing around with HF bands, and I have no doubt that this would lead me to wanting an Extra class license. This would be the motivation I needed to learn Morse Code.

I firmly believe that the Morse Code requirement should always be in place at the highest license class level, and even at 5 wpm, it will be enough for people to be able to pass it easily, and play around with code as a curiosity, and maybe even learn to love it as many have.

I think that while this license changes could be perceived as hurting Morse Code in the short run, I actually think they will help curb Code's death in the long run, and certainly they will be a benefit to the long-term health of amateur radio as a hobby.

What do you think about the possible license class changes?

Two classes:
Extra: Code and all current theory. Full frequency and power priveledges.

Genetal (Novice, Tech, whatever): No code and all theory through current general. Full priveledges above 30MHz. Limited voice priveledges on 10, 15, 40 and 80 meters.

I see no reason to split hairs any further. BTW my license is Extra now.