The Numbers:
This petition would grant (380,000) present license holders of the US Technician Class (as of 4.7.2018) these privileges...
50% of the US General Class Phone Band on 80 meters
60% of the US General Class Phone Band on 40 meters
67% of the US General Class Phone Band on 15 meters
The Technician class numbers have grown almost 3% since the Petition was filed. How many more will be added before this is possibly enacted?
The present figures now have the US Technician Class Licencees holding almost 51% of the TOTAL US License's.
The ARRL has seen this, thus now they are requesting Public Comment be accepted by the FCC on this proposal. They have thus swayed the balance of License Holders to be Granted these privileges instantly in their majority favor.
One can not deny they are trying to manipulate the comments percentage in favor of their proposal.
Now granted, I am not totally opposed to all the changes this proposal would bring.
The Digital privileges on the bands specified, I think are quite acceptable.
The new advancements in software and the number of transceivers all ready capable of operating these modes with little or no additional equipment is growing rapidly.
The manufactures already are producing most of the new HF transceivers "Digital" ready.
I do think it ridiculous to think that some of those instantly granted these privileges are going to adhere to the 200 watt PEP power limit. One has only to listen and see that rule has already been disregarded by many Technician Class operators in the 10 meter (28.300-28.500 MHz) operating section. This being just an observation, does anyone really think this will not happen in all the bands to be allocated.
The 200 watt PEP limit on 80/40 meters only invites more abuse of this privilege given the present and, to continue poor band conditions.
Those of you that do not find this "Fascinating" are kidding yourself...Hmm...manufacturers will sell more equipment and in greater numbers, then possibly ever in resent history.
One must wonder who is ultimately "Lobbying" this proposal in reality.
One can not deny also that ARRL membership stands to possibly jump in record numbers, by operators who have been instantly granted these additional privileges.
I am just wondering why the ARRL has seen it fit to further degrade the significance of the US General Class Operating License with this amount of new operators, without consideration of the others all ready allocated for these sections of the bands, regardless of when we were granted these privileges.
I guess I should look at the numbers myself.
We are a minority, much the same as the Advance Class and Novice operators now holding US licenses, therefore we are an insignificant number.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
