Mike Speed wrote:
Where is the statistical study you read.


I read it about two months ago. I will try hard to track it down.

You said the hobby is at risk - prove it.

See above for some facts and just listen to the guys on the bands.
The membership is getting older on average. Not a good sign of
vitality.

Point conceded.


That is one of the ARRL's functions...to limit access to the bands by
requiring and adminstering a testing program. If you don't believe me
read their charter.

I did - yesterday when I was also looking at their independent audit.

The ARRL continues to support out-of-date tests
and do little to entice young blood into the hobby. The ARRL behaves
as though they were in the 1950's when every high school had a radio
club kids built crystal radios and the hobby didn't have to worry about
attracting members. Youngsters were clammoring at the gates to learn
code, take the test and get a license. Times have changed and the
young have other ways of talking with one another and otherwise finding
out about the world. In other words they are not knocking at the gate
manned by the ARRL gatekeeper. In fact they have no idea where the
gate is.


Okay that is purely your opinion - not fact. I asked for proof - not
opinion.


Here's two: Delaware Radio and EEB.

Okay , but whenever I've needed equipment or *parts*
(microwave parts, for example), I have been and am able to get
them today. Can it be the examples you cited are inconsequential?


The fact is that morse code has been abandoned by virtually all
commercial and military users of the spectrum. It is a skill for which
there is no modern day use, other than for hams to talk slowly with one
another. From personal experience I know the military communications
pros tend to chuckle a bit when the discussion comes to hams and mars
activities on hf.

Yes, I was in MARS when they did away with morse traffic handling.

A "...skill for which there is no modern day use..." Another hyperbole.
You
haven't said one word about weak-signal communications. I could cite
example after example in situations in which morse can be copied and
the other modes cannot. There *is* a modern-day use for morse code.

What possible use can there be for morse code if nobody is using it.
Morse code has evolved from once being a key component of commercial
and military communications to a form of entertainment for hams and
nothing more. Hams use it in speed and low power contests to talk with
one another. It has no value outside that realm because none of the
people involved in emergency, rescue or military work have the
equipment, training or need to use it.
Morse code had an exalted place within radio, but it's time as a
practical mode of communication has long since passed. And to continue
to require morse proficiency as a test proves little more than how far
out of touch with the real world those in control of this hobby really
are.


snip