Ticket Talk
FCC Proposes Voice Privileges For Novices
“One of the fundamental purposes of amateur radio is to maintain a pool of operators, technicians, and electronics experts. In light of the apparent downward trends in Novice operators, we are concerned that a valuable national resource is being diminished. Accordingly, we will propose rulemaking in the hope that an enhanced Novice license will benefit the service and reverse the trends.” from FCC Rule Making, April 18, 1986.
Most newcomers to the hobby are disappointed at being restricted to Morse code operation when they enter the amateur ranks at the Novice level. The greater majority of new amateur radio operators feel the code requirement is antiquated and unnecessary in view of today's technology and their main interest—voice or computer operation. The five word per minute code requirement remains the necessary prerequisite evil to grading up to telephony privileges. The attrition rate at the Novice level is high! (See Table I.) Sad to say, a staggering two thirds of all Novices eventually drop out of ham radio without ever obtaining the voice privileges they dearly desire.
Even more of a problem to the future of amateur radio is the declining numbers of new Novices entereing amateur radio. It is becoming an old man's pursuit. The average amateur's age is well up in years, when in reality it should be in the teens and
