Man, Jim,
You posted this on Several BBSs and It has certainly stirred the Fires!
Even I posted some thoughts on the "FORUM".
I would humbly suggest that Although Jim has merely posted what the ARRL
has "PROPOSED" to the FCC, this is NOT LAW. These CHANGES are NOT a part of
Part 97.
I would humbly Suggest that you watch the FCC sight and if you see them
Post some proposed CHANGES and YOU don't agree with those Changes then
Please Please exercise your fingers and WRITE them expressing that this
does nothing to enhance the hobby, it is going to merely create more
congestion on already crowded bands.
A Much more important issue to me is the fact that CW is dead for all
practical purposes, it "IS" still a means of communicating when nothing
else will work. but the FACT is the TIMES have changed, YOU can go into
the CW portion of the band and dial up and down for 100's of KC's and NEVER
hear a signal. And, you can call CQ at times for over and HOUR and
finally just give up because NOBODY will come back to you. Question to ASK
YOURSELF. When was the last time "YOU" made a CW Contact? HUH? if its
been at least 5 years or more then this will be a "hoss" you may want to ride!
My thought is that we petition the FCC, to OPEN most all The CW portion of
the band for Phone operation, leave 5 to 10 kc's for all the CW op's to be
able to go there and find, a MUCH more used portion of the Band. But
reallocate the rest of the CW portion of the bands for phone operation,
still maintaining some LICENSE classification separation!
IF, these ARRL PROPOSED changes do in fact get put into Law, then at the
same time we could have perhaps a bit more phone band to help over come
the ONSLAUGHT of the newly licensed and the Grand fathered higher classes.
I am a died in the wool "AM'er" and I will clear a frequency and fire the
old RIG up anywhere in the phone portion of the band. WE DO have that
privilege you know. Yet for the most part, if I want to communicate with a
Fellow "AM'er" then I will traditionally go to the "AM Window" where I
know there are folks listening there and will respond to my CQ.
Now, before all you, Oklahoma Indians, Massachusetts Pilgrims, Alabama
Rednecks, Washington State Frontiersman come knocking at my door to Hang
me from my old Pecan in the Front yard. Why don't "WE" as a collective
group band together and find out what must be done to Petition the FCC.
Some of you Attorney/Hams out there might just communicate with me on this
subject. I'm up to my eyeballs in all the HOT AIR being Expelled about
this.. Lets PUT some FEET to our "WIND" and step up to the plate and try
to put one OUT OF THE PARK!
The very organization that I have always felt was my ONLY VOICE to the FCC,
seems to be directing things away from the Path that a large number of Hams
want the Amateur Community to go. I guess I haven't been involved enough
to KNOW how these proposals get put into Action by just a few elected
members of the ARRL! When you tune the bands, it doesn't sound like the
masses out here are too happy about this PROPOSAL!
Since I'm on a Roll, this morning. I'm going to jump out of the Boat of
Security and Start "Walking on the Water"!
I keep hearing noises that we MUST Attract NEW members to our Hobby! I'm
all for presenting the kind of operation from my station, that might just
intrigue a NON Ham into considering joining the ranks of amateur
Radio....BUTTTTTTT, I'm not going to just fork over a license just because
that youngster/Oldster shows a bit of interest. Genuine DESIRE to join
this group when the requirements weren't so EASY kept NOT only the BANDS
LESS Crowded, but maintained a certain DECORUM which I still feel today
each time I "KEY" the old Rig UP! I've been involved in two other Hobby's
over the course of my life that were fairly "EXCLUSIVE" for lack of a
better word. ONE such hobby, has only about 1,000 MEMBERS Nationwide yet
for those involved with that Hobby, they enjoy loads of events, for those
after it there are national Contest for Recognition if thats your
"GIG"! Yet for the TECHNICIANS in that Hobby there are grillions of ways
to enjoy it and NEVER GET your name up in lights! YET if you talk to those
Technicians, you might just find that 7 out of the TOP 10 in that hobby are
using his custom made product! So where is the tie in ????? This IS a
HOBBY with so many varied venues, Why are we so concerned about
"ATTRACTING" young "Johnny come Lately" or his DAD "Cantankerous OLD
COOT"? We have over crowding now, so why NOT Keep the 'STANDARDS' high so
that those who "DO" put forth the effort to get the license would have a
much deeper since of pride and accomplishment. They would also have a
great deal more respect for the "PRIVILEGE" of being an "Amateur Radio
Operator" no matter what class of license they HOLD!
I'm more than willing to BEAT the drum, stand against an oncoming tidal
wave, and I can do all this if those reading this will ** NOT ** just
apathetically sit and let the STEAM ROLLER crush me into the concrete! !
When you have a strong foundation, well rooted in tradition and the true
"DESIRE" to make a difference, it will happen!
Thank you for your time in reading this... and a final thought which was
very graphically demonstrated twice in my life...
"All for one, and ONE for all!"
73,
Tony/W5OD
River House Radio
Boling,TX
