In article , Mike Coslo
writes:

So...now you've got this "instant gratification" thing going again?

Yes sir! Just like you have your thing going again.

My "thing" has been "going" all the while...no problems. :-)

So has this ridiculous "necessity" of amateur radio to pass a morse
test in order to "qualify" for HF privileges for over a half century.

A mere 51 years I did not even have to pass any special test to
operate an HF transmitter outputting more power than any ham
is supposed to have (in 1953 that was 15 KW from the old Press
Wireless transmitters, went to 40 KW with the Collins rigs of
1955). No morse test needed. Didn't even have the MOS for
Fixed Station Transmitters, was MOS for microwave radio relay.

But, in 2004, U.S. radio amateurs MUST still pass a morse test
to "qualify" for operating an amateur radio transmitter on HF. No
other radio service (other than certain Maritime radio services)
require morsemanship testing.

Does my posting offend?

No, not me personally. I AM "offended" by the self-righteous hams
who insist (and some demand) that the morse test MUST remain
as if it is some kind of importance to "the service." This is the new
millennium, not some olde-tyme raddio where the "operators" sit
around with eye shades and sleeve garters while keying their bugs
and sideswipers and thinking they are Very Important or something.

Amateur radio is a HOBBY activity. Always was, and probably always
will be since the rest of the world can jolly well get on with life without
all those amateur hobbyists to Save The Planet from whatever.

If that morse test is so absolutely "needed," then the definition of the
ARS should be changed in Part 97 to "Archaic Radiotelegraphy
Service" for the USA.