From: mont@netcom.com (Mont Pierce)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: License Delays
Date: 22 Jan 93 17:32:43 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)

If things keep going the way they are, something is bound to happen.

Waiting 2-3 months for an upgrade is not a big problem, since we 
have the /kt /ag /aa /ae suffixes for use during this period.

Waiting 2-3 months for your FIRST license seems outrages.  I guess I
just missed the floodgates, got mine in 5/92 after only waiting 5 weeks.
I cannot imagine having to wait 2-3 months.

Since all those who are waiting for there first license have already
done everything required to get it, the ONLY item missing is their
callsign.  Seems like we/ARRL/FCC should be able to come up with some
way to at least assign a temporary call to a licensee that can be used
until they get their official call/license from FCC.

Why couldn't the examiners be supplied with temp. license stickers with
temp callsigns like a fishing or hunting license, valid for 6-12mo?  One
part of the sticker could be attached to the 610 form sent FCC and the 
other issued to the new first time licensee.

Well, it just seems like something is going to give, and probably not
to long from now.  At the current rate that the backlog seems to be
growing, it won't be long for it to take up to a year to get your 
ticket...

Another thought.  If they eliminate 2 of the license classes, won't that
eliminate 2/5ths (or more) of the work for FCC??  How about this:

    technician class     no code,  xx questions,   same priv. as tech today 
                                                   plus code on some sub-bands
                                                   like 6m, 10m and/or 15m
                                                   (they need someplace to 
                                                    learn and practice code)

    general class         7 wpm,   xx questions,   same priv. as gen. today

    advanced class       10 wpm,   xx questions,   all privledges

    (xx questions = same kind of questions as today from the question
                     pools, just combine the elements into only 3 tests
                     instead of 5)

The current backlog is for the birds.  Here we are trying to encourage 
more to become hams with the current examination process, no-code tech
class license, and such, and all the while it is becoming increasingly 
more discouraging waiting and waiting for your first callsign.

Maybe FCC could have two seperate addresses for 610 forms.  One address
for new licenses and one for upgrades.  Then FCC could process all the
new licensees first and get them their callsigns faster and then process
all the upgrade forms.

What do you think can be done to improve FCC's licensing process? 

73, 
-- 
Mont Pierce

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| Ham Call: KM6WT             Internet:  mont@netcom.com                  |
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|    modes: cw,ssb,fm                                                     |
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Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc