Len Over 21 wrote:

Gosh. A long time ago I stated that all I was advocating was a removal
of the morse code test from a license test.

Lots of the Believers in here didn't believe that.

....largely because they'd read your posts.



We didn't sit around cross-checking messages like a QSL Bureau.
We just sent and received them, working 24/7 regardless of what
the cashew-cruncher said. Duty was done.

No, Foghorn, you got it wrong again. You claimed personally to have
worked 24/7. You have never in your life done so.


But...*my* serving there was not the point. The real POINT was
that the U.S. military did NOT use "CW" for the majority of
messaging necessary to maintain a worldwide military. The U.S.
military of 50 years ago relied on teleprinter to do that. Teleprinter
was fast, reliable, as close to error-free as possible, and could
work without interruptions (save to change paper, tape, ribbons).

That isn't much of a point. Almost no hams use teleprinters. Plenty of
'em still use morse code. Are you advocating a typing test for amateur
radio?

Manual morse telegraphy was still used by the USN and USCG of
50 years ago, but on shipboard. Those were relatively small
stations. USN networks of fixed-point to fixed-point were still relying
on teleprinter for the mass of necessary messaging...and for the
on-line encryption and decryption of sensitive material, something
they pioneered more than 60 years ago.

All very interesting and pretty much known by anyone with interest in
such matters. Are you advocating a test for encrypting/decrypting
messages for amateur radio?

Olde-tyme hammes chafe at such reality. They have no real
comeback but instead misdirect to their own "ranks and statuses"
(if they had any) and old, old myths of morse to justify morse
testing for hobbyists of today. Those that can do neither come
out with personal insults at those pointing out reality of the past
or thinly-disguised insults they claim as "civil."

I'm reminded of your claims of interest in "civil debate". I don't
recall you being very civil to anyone who disagrees with your ideas. I
haven't seen a lot of long time radio amateurs chafing either. Morse
code is still in wide use in amateur radio. Basically, you whole
schpiel boils down to a basic, "but I don't like it".


Heh...the last time I was "bitter" was during a visit to Angostura.

Hmmm...I'm a retired person with a comfortable income, living with
my wife (who was my high school sweetheart) in a nice house that
has long since been mortage-free. I have a nice workshop in the
center of the house (inside, not consigned to a cold/hot garage) and
have the time and money to play with radio-electronics. I've "proved"
myself in the military, then the workplace, don't have to have rank,
status, or some artificial privileges for a hobby radio activity.

You aren't unique. Many people are retired, have comfortable incomes
and paid off mortgages. I can't see what having a workshop in the
center of the house has to do with anything but perhaps it is a point of
pride to you. How many of those retired, comfortable, mortgage-free
types are self-appointed "advocates" for removal of a testing element in
something in which they are not participants or would-be participants?
How many of them spend hour after hour posting to a newsgroup dealing
with an avocation in which they play no part? You don't have to worry a
whit about your status in amateur radio. You have none.

"Bitter?" I doubt it.

I don't.

Old, yes. If one survives a long time on earth,
that is what one achieves. :-)

It IS fun to watch all the posturing and preening in here, though, all
the chest-pounding and pseudo-religious beliefs manifested. It IS
fun to poke some holes in that posturing, preening, and pounding.

It certainly is fun. For a guy who claims that he needs no titles nor
any status, you feel the need to restate yours of the past quite
frequently.

Tsk. The posturers can't stand up straight on subjects but have to
resort to pejoratives on the "pokers." [their problem, not mine]

But, Leonard. You do those very things. It is quite odd that you are
incapable of recognizing it in yourself.

All that about a HOBBY. Tsk. Hi hi.

....one in which you play no part.



Dave