May 6th 04, 01:13 PM
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(Lloyd Davies - The Time Lord ) wrote in message ...
I think that since Morse Code is old, but not completely useless, I feel it
should no longer be made to be learned to gain access to the HF bands.
The ITU, for one, agrees with you. So do I, but that doesn't count for
much. When the military and the Coast Guard no longer use it, it's
pretty much obsolete. Except among some old-time hams. You know, the
ones that resist all change.
Do I feel that Amateur Radio be made a free for all? No, it should not. There
should be a test, but not a really hard test, but not a easy one either.
Some people think it's already a free for all; note some of the
comments about 2 meters. Personally, I haven't heard what they
complain about, but I'm also not in a major metro area where it may
occur.
I'll even admit, I'll never get a new Icom 7800, at $10,000.00 - I'll be lucky
to maybe get a used 706 at about 400 or 500 or so.
Nobody needs a $10,000 radio to yak with their friends; the "latest
and greatest" technology is not a pre-requisite to enjoying the
airwaves. In fact, some of the newer stuff isn't as good as the older
gear.
It's a hobby, not a life or death struggle.
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