"Bill Sohl" wrote in
link.net:


"Alun" wrote in message
...
snip
Several countries around the world have moved, or are moving,
forward to
eliminate the Morse Code testing requirement while the United States
sits back and watches.

What's the count now?

I think they include at least the UK, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland,
the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia
(not until Jan 1st). New Zealand may actually do it before Australia,
as they have said it would be before the end of the year, but have
given no date. I am pretty sure I have missed a couple out, too.

See the list at:

http://www.rsgb.org/licensing/nomorse.htm


OK - The RSGB list has UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Norway, the
Netherlands, Ireland, Singapore and Luxembourg. However, I'm also aware of
Papua New Guinea and Finland who have abolished the code test already,
Australia who have announced a date of Jan 1st, and New Zealand, who say
sometime before the new year (but no date). So that's actually 11 so far,
and at least 13 by the new year, probably more. I don't think we will know
which countries might keep a code test until at least July (i.e 12 months
after the ITU decision), and I don't think they will be a majority (?).

How many countries have eliminated the code test, vs. how many have
retained it so far?

Most do still retain it, but I think this has far more to do with
bureaucracy than intent

The changes to government regulations, in the USAand in many other
countries, take time. Did Jim expect an overnight change in the 100+
countries? Frankly, I'm pretty amazed at the ones that have been able
to do so on such a short time interval.

Is this the actions of a modern, progressive, country with feet
planted firmly on today and eyes on the future?

What does all that mean, exactly? Besides the removal of the last
remaining vestige of code testing?

It's time to move on, Jim.

To what?

Let's say that tomorrow FCC just dumps Element 1. One sentence:
"Element 1 is waived for all applicants, pending revision of the
rules". Could happen, y'know.

Bring it on!!!

Probably will

What happens next?

Lots of upgrades, plus no-coders on 10m the next day

Works for me. Anyone see a problem in that?

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK