From: on Jul 24, 6:26 pm

Joe Guthart wrote:

I am glad the FCC finally took charge of the situation and
decided to drop the code requirements.

Well, it's what they're proposing to do, anyway.

You thought that out by yourself from Notice of PROPOSED
Rule Making (NPRM)? :-)

Here's why ...

I like Amateur Radio and want it to be a life-long hobby
for me ... however, I just plainly can't take time
to effectively study the code at this point in my life.
I think my story is pretty common for most of the
new people entering Amateur Radio today. I am a
43 year old married father of three children. I
have a background in Aerospace Engineering and my
full time work is in the high technology sector
working with many well known computing infrastructure
companies. I got my Technician license about two and
a half years ago because it was a neat little challenge
for me to combine radio communications with some of
the newer digital modes. Basically, it was fun, not
really technical challenging, but a nice way to relax.
I do enjoy making contacts on 6 meters. I would
play around with some different radio, antenna, and
computer configurations and started to develop a relationship
with some fellow ham buddies. Soon I became limited
with the VHF/UHF band and wanted to hop onto HF. Of
course, by the current rules one would have to jump on
and take on learning Morse Code. I am absolutely sure
I could do this if I had enough time. Having an ongoing
career and being a family man, doesn't really leave
a whole lot of time to practice dits and dahs. I have
actually played around with the code several times, but
real life events and changing priorities always got in
the way; not en excuse just reality. I really do see
learning the code as similar to my older engineering
brethren making me learn how to use a slide rule; it's kind of
neat, but not really effective for me, or most folks, given the
advance of other computing methods and devices.

So what that boils down to is this, Joe: You don't want to
spend the time or effort needed to learn enough Morse Code
to pass the test.

Amazing intellect you display, Jimmie!

However, before you slide into more snide remarks, try
to understand that NOT everybody lives a life of
radiotelegraphy. True!

What about the written tests for General and Extra? In order
to use digital modes on HF, you need at least a General
Class license.

Tsk, tsk. Misdirecting into the writtens again, are you?

Let's get back to the MORSE CODE TEST NPRM, WT Docket
05-235. NOTHING in that NPRM proposes to change
anydamnthing in the WRITTEN test elements.

Fellow hams need to sit back and take an objective look
at this hobby because it is dying a rapid death!

How do you figure?

Is morse code ANYTHING in radio in this new millennium
besides being a niche interest area for a bunch of
olde-tyme hammes stuck on telegraphy?

When I became a ham in 1967, there were about 260,000 US hams.
Now there are over 650,000. The peak was about two years ago,
but there have been ups and downs before.

Tsk. There has been a slow but STEADY decline in
licenses for two years.

Amateur Radio needs me and people just like me to join in on
the HF bands and to use our real world high tech expertise to
help further Amateur Radio.

OK, fine, how *exactly* will that happen?

Will you design and build new high tech radios?
Develop new high-performance modes of communication?
Set up some sort of new radio network?
Get more people interested in amateur radio by
demos, articles, etc.?

Let's put it this way: It AIN'T gonna be by "designing
and building state-of-the-art VACUUM TUBE transmitters
in the 1990s!" :-)

Where will the time come from to do that stuff?

What...are you now a time-study man for the "amateur
community" management?!?

For that matter, where will the time come from for
you to set up an HF station and operate it?

Isn't it about time YOU came up with some solid-state
designs yourself?!?

The solid-state era in all electronics happened 40
years ago.


Finally, I honor all those of you who are code proficient.

Thank you!

Jimmie, you are an absolute CREDIT to amateur radio...of
the 1940s.


I too may one day still be code proficient even if there is no
formal testing.

Why not now?

Why EVER?

20-45 minutes a day for 4-6 weeks should get you to 5 wpm. There
are freeware Morse Code trainers that will run on most PCs. I
recommend the G4FON one.

Gosh, Jimmie, a half hour to an hour a day studying solid-
state circuitry could get you into shape to "design and
build your very own TRUE state-of-the-art transmitter!"

Why, heck and darn, all your neighbors could come over and
admire it, go oooh and aaahh and you explain every solid-
state bit of it!

However, I do think that the right decision has been made
by the FCC and will ultimately be finalized with little
changes.

I don't think it's the right thing, but I'm afraid FCC will
do it anyway.

Have courage. Do not be afraid!

The sun will come up...tomorrow...down music

This will not kill our hobby, but will inject more life into
it.

I hope you're right.

He IS right, sweetums. All this radiotelegraphy was
beginning to stagnate in-place. Gangrene is sure to follow.

New, BETTER blood needed, stuff that doesn't want to revert
to 1940s and 1930s in standards and practices!

But...YOUR amateur radio world looks dark and dreary indeed.
No more will you be able to show off your "federally
authorized" morsemanship rank/title/privileges!

What will your neighbors say then?

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