Alun L. Palmer wrote:
wrote in
snippage
It's the classic case of a red herring diversion. Blame the code test
for everyhting bad while the real problems are not addressed.
73 de Jim, N2EY
It depends what you mean. Will repealing the code test provide a vast
increase in numbers? No. Will it provide some increase? Yes. Are there
thousands of hams that could pass the General or Extra theory trapped above
30 MHz? Yes. Will there be a large increase in HF use? Yes.
How are people "trapped" above 30 MHz? When I was limited in that
manner, I could take a test and have full access?
In addition I would note that many of the No-coded Tech's are perfectly
happy to be where they are at. How many that is overall, I don't know,
but it's conjecture, same as yours.
All of our discussion of how many new HF qualified Hams will show up
due to a presumed elimination of the Morse code test is a bit of a red
herring in itself.
Is it a good thing to have more new Hams? Most people would agree.
Is it a good thing to reduce qualifications to get new Hams?
Probably somewhat less agreement.
What has our experience with uncoded licensees been?
I'd say generally good, but I am concerned about retention.
What has happened in other countries in which no code has been needed
for HF access?
I'd have to say that even the idea of trying to argue about it from an
HF/VHF access view is a red herring too.
Seems like we should be trying to ensure that New Hams remain Hams. Is
HF access the secret? I doubt it. HF is in general more difficult to set
up for and to operate.
- Mike KB3EIA -