"Helmut" wrote in message
...
......
what are you guys going to do, if you hear a station from lets say VK, GB,
DL, HB9, and many others, among them rare DX countries? First thing to ask
wether or not they did pass the CW Test? and then not continuing the QSO??
Would this be polite? hamlike? How would your reaction be if some DX ham
offends you like that?


The point is not that wanting qualified operators to have CW or any other
radio-related skill is done for any reason of elitism, it is that it USED
to take much effort to EARN a license. Now you can get the answers to
memorize for a few (far too few) questions and "earn" a license with only a
few days of "study". Those of us who took the exams at the FCC offices
without any chance of helpful hints, winks or nudges by those giving the
exam do not like seeing all our efforts wasted. I had a lot of trouble and
spent many, many hours studying to pass the 20 WPM test. I don't even like
CW operation very much. But I was glad I spent the time because it really
meant something to pass the tests. Now, I realize that it will have been a
WASTED EFFORT if this new plan goes through since I would have had extra
privileges anyway.

10-4 good buddy, I guess I might as well sell my linears at the nearest
truck stop.
---- Brian