Chris, I was never one that said we should make ALL hf ops know CW. I made
a suggestion, in writing, to the ARRL years ago wherin I simply stated that
we should require EVERYONE that wanted to work CW, to take a test in that
mode. Unlike any of the other modes, it is a SKILL SET, and not just
something from memory, or which can be picked up in a few minutes of
operatin,such as PSK. When they first started making noises about dropping
the CW rule (way back in the mid 60s) it was ILLEGAL for any government to
allow any ham who had not demonstrated their SKILL in CW (It did not mention
a code speed)was not to be allowed operations on the HF bands. That was an
international law and no government had the right to go against it in their
own country whether they wanted to or not. It was only a year or two ago,
that this rule was changed to allow countries to determine for themselves if
they wanted to go that way or not. ONLY at that time was any government
allowed to do so. I re-impressed on the FCC, the ARRL, and my local ARRL
reps my suggestion that we could immediately allow ALL amateurs the use of
the HF bands, but we SHOULD continue the testing for CW operations, for the
above reason. Not only did they completly ignore my suggestion, but those
of many others who were of like mind. The ARRL took at least one survey
asking members what our wishes were, and according to their own
representatives, the MAJORITY desired the continuation of CW testing, which
the ARRL apparently and reluctantly agreed to. Suddenly, a few weeks later,
the board of ghastely representatives of the ARRL turned complely around and
so advised the FCC that they (the ARRL) agreed there was no need for further
testing in CW for ANY amateur band. Suddenly the ARRL no longer represented
the majority.
Had they taken our wishes to heart, you and others who never have, and never
wanted to pass CW, would have been able to upgrade and used ALL amateur
bands - except those which were ONLY CW sub-bands. The intent, at that
time, was not to have CW and digital operations mixed up in the same
sub-band such as we have now. Non-code amateurs could still have worked the
digital modes, in their own sub-set band.
So yes - the way they put it is pure B A L O N E Y !
The concept of CW testing did not have to discourage or put a burden on
ANYONE from " advancing their skills and participating more fully in the
benefits of Amateur Radio" If they did not wish to participate in CW - they
would not have to. But if they wanted to work on the CW mode, they would
have to pass a test like everyone else had.
They threw the whole concept of the Extra class code, and its selective
sub-band right out the window, the same as the other bands where CW was the
mode of choice within the subbands.
So - I am happy you and others are able to now advance your technical skills
and participate in the SSB and other modes you may have not been able to do
before. It IS still advancement. And I have taught many techs over the
years - but I also taught them CW.
I am unhappy that you or anyone else can now come direct to the CW bands and
operate the mode without having proven your skill to do so, in advance. I
have taught CW to hundreds of would-be amateurs and EVERY ONE of them was
able to pass 5 WPM, sometimes within a day or less. Remember - the Majority
of those who responded to the surveys said there should be a CW test
continuation - and every one of them I spoke with, agreed to my concept, and
said they could support it - EXCEPT OUR ARRL REPS. And of course the FCC
who did not bother to respond at all. Frankly, it was a done deal, no
matter how many of us responded, unless of course, we responded the "right"
way.'
It will be a death knell to CW, eventually, because withs fewer ops, the
narrow subbands will become even more narrow, to the point they wont exist.
Slow but sure. I already have students who have said "why should we
bother?" Many, in the past probably never went on to use it - but they
COULD.
Danny Douglas N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA
SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB all
DX 2-6 years each
.
QSL LOTW-buro- direct
As courtesy I upload to eQSL but if you
use that - also pls upload to LOTW
or hard card.
moderator [EMAIL PROTECTED]
moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DXandTalk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Danis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 8:51 PM
Subject: Re: [digitalradio] US Hams Codeless Feb 23
> On 1/19/07, Danny Douglas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > "This change eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden that may
> > discourage current Amateur Radio operators from advancing their
> > skills and participating more fully in the benefits of Amateur
> > Radio," the FCC remarked in the Morse code R&O.
> > B A L O N E Y
> > SK
>
> Dan,
>
> I am sorry you feel this way. I've been licensed for 13 years now --
> as one of those dirty, no-code Techs. I've always wanted to get on HF
> but could never quite find enough time to learn Morse (despite a
> failed attempt or two). I am now, however, eagerly awaiting the next
> VE exam in my area so I can take the General and Extra elements.
>
> If it makes you feel any better, I promise to always listen before I
> transmit, to always "QRL?" before I CQ, and generally, to be a
> courteous op and to not be a lid or a nuisance on the air.
>
> I admit that I may not be the common case, but I don't think that
> removing the Morse requirement is going to be to HF what "the
> September that never ended" was to Usenet [1].
>
> 73,
> -chris N2YYZ
>
>
> References:
> [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September
>
>
>
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telnet://cluster.dynalias.org
>
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>
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>
>
>
>
> --
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6:47 PM
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