The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) has apparently discussed a measure proposed by Doug Rehman (K4AC) Southeastern Division Director, which proposes giving Technician and Novice class licensees limited digital privileges on the 80, 40, and 15 meter bands. Since these licensees already enjoy CW privileges on those bands, I assume that “digital” in this case means computer modes such as PSK31 and RTTY. I think this is a great idea.
I believe that the current limitation of Novice and Technician licensees to, essentially, VHF and above for non-CW modes is stifling and discourages many new hams from “trying out” HF. While I personally have an appreciation for CW as a mode, particularly for its simplicity and approachability for homebrew construction, I think many new hams find it old-fashioned and somewhat uninteresting. Now that the FCC no longer requires CW competence for licensing (and it's arguable whether or not they ever did, at the Novice/Tech level), many such new hams may also have no experience in the mode. This means that their only effective(ly interesting) HF privileges are 10 meter phone and limited data — which can be a very frustrating band, particularly as the solar cycle declines! (It can also be a very rewarding band, but that takes a bit more experience.)
The addition of limited data privileges on one or more lower-frequency bands would open new hams up to an HF experience that can really show them the magic of the short waves. Many younger hams are very comfortable with computers and digital communications, and may even find this less intimidating than keying down the mic and opening up a phone QSO! The enormous effective reach at limited power levels would also give new hams with little equipment the ability to make world-wide contacts on a budget. It is my hope that such capabilities would lead hams that might otherwise never work their way off the local VHF repeaters before losing interest and buying a new smartphone into the wilds of HF, where they can get an experience that is unlike those offered by the Internet or mobile phone technologies.
I haven't seen the proposal mentioned in the article yet, but the executive committee recommended that the ARRL solicit comments from the membership on the issue. I look forward to reviewing the proposal if they should do so, and I am confident that some variation thereof would meet my approval. Nothing can help swell the ranks of active Amateur Radio operators like including new hams in exciting radio activities.