>   I was going to place this in tha sailing echo but since it effects all
 > boaters I will post it here :)
Appreciate this. Because I am currntly agonizing over I need a VHF or not.
 >         What do you all think about the FCCs decision to do away with
 > the voluntary pleasure boat license for VHF marine radio.  Allot of
 > people are worried that it will become just one more CB radio.  What do
 > you think the FCC could do to keep lincensing requirements but keep the
 > cost down?
    The CB radio never was regulated even when it was still under license. 
People never did respect the laws anyway. The users were mostly truck 
drivers, rednecks and free spirits anyway. You'll never be able to regulate 
them on any issue. The FCC had lost that battle before they ever had a chance 
to fight it.
    The VHF on the other hand, has a rather mature group of users to begin 
with. The frequencies used for VHF marine radios isn't of much use to anyone 
else. I imagine there will be an initial period of CB style anarchy, but when 
the more responsible users begin to police the frequencies themselves, things 
will get better.
 >         I was one of the last people who paid for my license, I do not
 > so much mind paying a small fee as long as the FCC and the Coast Gaurd
 > does it's job monitoring the band. However whats your oppinion?
    I was one of the last people that paid to have a CB license. I know how 
you feel. The Coast Guard will continue to monitor the VHF and weather 
reports will still be broadcast just as before. Heck, down at Cedar Creek in 
Texas, the authorities still monitor CBs on boats for emergencies.
    I figure the only difference this action will make is increase the amount 
of non-business or non-navigational traffic a little. More personal traffic 
for a short while.
                                                      Jamie
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