Brenda Ann wrote:
"MnMikew" wrote in message
...

"dxAce" wrote in message
...
You sound like the atypical code snob Steve.

Nothing snobbish about it at all.

Getting rid of the code req. is
the best thing the FCC has done in a long time.

I suppose it is for those who are unwilling to learn it!

You seem to have this idea that no-code hams are somehow "dumber" that
ones
who know it.

A large number are. What challenge is there to getting a ham license when
the test pool questions are available to anyone that wants them, and all
they have to do is memorize the answers?

You could substitute several difficult to learn but equally meaningless
tests for the cw test and still meet your requirement for challenging
new hams. For instance we could require hams send messages with
semaphore flags; or we could take them down a completely different path
and require that they exhibit a thorough knowlege of COBOL; or we could
require that they show proficiency in automobile transmission repair.


I actually had to know something
about what I was doing to get my license. I started like most with a Novice
ticket and 5WPM code. I taught it to myself by writing a BASIC program to
send to myself using my old VIC20 computer. A month later, I got my Tech
Plus ticket. I never could work my way up to 14WPM because I have to
'translate' in my head (like I do with all the human languages I have
studied), so didn't get my General till April 2000.

Congratulations on passing the test. However to require that
meaningless test of new hams when there is no practical use for morse
code will do nothing more than drive prospective hams from the hobby.
Fortunately the FCC is finally realizing that the world of
communications has moved forward from the 1950's. It is time that many
members of the hobby do so as well.