About a month ago, Southgate reported on a new proposal for a beginner’s license in the U.K. by John G4SWX, the RSGB VHF Manager. I think in a lot of ways this makes more sense than the proposal put forth by the ARRL more than a year and a half ago now for expanded Tech privileges.
Basically, what G4SWX is proposing is a low-power VHF/UHF (144/430 MHz) license with the following features:
- Targeted at newcomers and offering opportunity for involvement by youth organizations.
- A relatively simple online examination with a pass certificate issued by the RSGB.
- A clear path for further progression with the online ‘Beginner’ exam being accepted as exemption/credits for part of the Foundation exam.
- Equipment to be used will be limited to low power, 5W output, <25W ERP, CE approved VHF/UHF FM/Digital Voice transceivers. (To protect other users of the VHF spectrum in the UK and nearby nations).
- Equipment to be unmodified.
- Abuse identified by AROS will result in license revocation.
- Callsigns issued to use an additional letter to clearly identify ‘Beginner ‘licensees.
- ‘Beginner’ licensees to be permitted to operate amateur club stations under supervision of a full licensee.
- Process administered by RSGB with weekly updates provided to Ofcom.
- Launch initiated by RSGB including outreach by local radio clubs to forge links with youth organizations.
- RSGB to investigate whether ‘Beginner’ amateur licence could be accepted as part of personal development and training by established youth organizations (Scouts, Air Cadets etc).
- Minimal cost of administration for Ofcom.
- The training and development of communications skills by young people taking up a ‘Beginner’ amateur license will ensue additional benefit to ‘UK plc’.
Personally, I thought that something like this is what the ARRL was going to propose before they came out with their expanded privileges proposal, as this is more like what the Novice license used to be. I’m not sure how it morphed into giving Techs more privileges.
At any rate, if you’re interested at all in this kind of thing, there’s a discussion of this proposal on the RSGB-Workshop Group, and you can see John’s post and comment on it there. To do so, you’ll have to join the group, but it’s an open group, so there’s no problem doing that.
Hi, I just thought I would give my thoughts on this idea, I do have reservations, I don`t think after a while they would be satisfied with 5w of low power I have already heard of a 2E0 looking to buy a linear amp. for HF, As for being Policed, I don`t think so it`s not Policed now, I have complained before about being threatened on the 2 meter Band, the RSGB or Ofcom did not want to know., and the abuse still goes on. I do know that something has to be done to encourage guys of any age into the Hobby I`m aware of that. Don`t get me wrong I in fact have been encouraging 2 M7s as they progress into the Hobby. That all for now. Best regards Brian.
Excelente
73
HC4Z
Milton
I think the ARRL didn’t try to ask the FCC to re-introduce a new Novice/Beginner class, because the feds have all been about reducing their workload for some time now. Something that would complicate the current licensing system is therefore, a non-starter.
Better to work on doing something that doesn’t increase the FCC’s administrative workload.
Scouts, Cadets and St Johns already have access to VJF and UHF Business radio simple frequencies with Ofcom group licences. Also Cadets have their own AM and FM VHF and UHF frequencies.
All an online test Beginner class licence will do is encourage CB type activity on 2M.
How could an online test be proved to have been taken by the claiment?
As for an additional letter to the callsign would that be to the 5 character Foundation callsign or the 6 character intermediate?? How about fixing the situation that the foundation callsign should have one more than intermediate first? ie M3 / M6/ M7 should have it’s M replaced by 2E3A/2E6A/2E7A
IMO the foundation licence is already too easy, with too many bands
the first question should be
is there are problem?
if the answer is yes
does the proposed solution address and solve the problem
the rsgb have recently made all the radio exams harder
in september 2019 only 19 people passed the foundation licence
when its usually around 130
it remains to be seen what the changes in the long term will have on the hobby
but its what some wanted
73 ian g3zhi
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