"clfe" wrote in message
...
"Bill Turner" wrote in message
...
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Mon, 05 Jun 2006 23:59:38 -0500, "David G. Nagel"
wrote:

The problem with the newbys with nocode techs is that they don't realize
that knowing the code is just as important as knowing how to press the
on/off button.

Dave WD9BDZ

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR ***********

"Just as important"?

Boggles the mind.

73, Bill W6WRT
49 yr ham, Extra Class

I don't think you can really expect the newbies to want/desire to know
that which they know may be being phased out soon. Why worry about
learning it if they know it will soon be gone?

I am of the opinion that a 5 WPM at least - should be kept on as a
requirement - as someday - it may be needed. Think not? Say you're in the
midst of an attack - of terrorism, a war on our homefront OR a large scale
natural disaster, a microphone isn't working or available. You can key the
radio but don't know code - now what? With code, even at 5 WPM - you could
get some very important information to those needing it to help save you -
to them. You could tell them WITH code, what is needed, exact whereabouts,
how many people involved, etc........ Just clicking a mic pin with a wire
won't tell anyone anything and could delay any help or a response big
enough to do much good. In these times with the large scale disasters as
we've seen and attacks - even for any said to be planned, NOW is a good
time to WANT to know code. IT may save you........ It is one of those
skills you learn - just like CPR or whatever - you hope you never have to
use, but you're glad you have it - when you need it.

5 WPM is NOT hard to learn or do. ANYONE with any interest can learn it in
a month at most if you take x amount of characters a day and start using
them. Many learn it sooner but it shouldn't take more than a month to get
to 5 WPM. "I" know how I learned it but my method won't work for all, just
as others didn't work for me. But the main thing is, you must "want" to
learn it. If you were 16 and didn't want to learn to drive a car - plain
and simple your driving days would be non-existant or very short lived at
best- point being MOST 16 year olds WANT to learn to drive. YOU HAVE TO
WANT IT.

Many of you may have heard of the Quecreek Mine incident in PA some time
ago. A pipe was drilled down into the shaft. Those at the surface heard 9
taps on it, signifying there were 9 miners there. NOW - if any of those
miners KNEW code, they could have gotten a message to the surface as to
what conditions were exactly, the extent of injuries as best they could,
etc. Maybe even instructions to help those on the surface plan their moves
a tad better. Luckily, the 9 were saved but that is an example of just
those 9 taps - crude MORSE - which sent a valid message. Were it not for
that, no one would have known they were alive until someone may have went
in. AND - MAYBE - those digging operations after a couple hours would have
slowed due to lost hope. The fact they knew those guys were still alive
gave them urgency to press on......... Code CAN have a place in your life.

clfe


One other thing........ I cut my teeth on CB back when the FCC was busting
CBers regularly for violations. I then got into Ham and Electronics. ALL
radio services "CAN" and "DO" have a place when it comes to chatting,
information exchange OR emergencies. ALL groups "can" work in unison for the
betterment of mankind if desired. Ham has it's place. CB was used mostly by
those such as "Auxiliary Police" - where not everyone had to have a "code"
much less a license to have studied for - to use radios for their purposes.
SEAT-REACT when operated properly was as useful as the Ham groups for
emergencies.
At one time, I belonged to REACT and some local Ham groups. I'm heavily
involved in Public Safety - so I got the best of both worlds. The REACT team
died and if I'm not mistaken, maybe the founding unit. Believe me - in a
HUGE disaster our fire band was SWAMPED. Ham and CB alike WERE IMPORTANT.
I had information on both coming to me - which was of enormous help. I was
getting information that was not able to be had via the Fire Radio - due to
it being so laden with traffic. I often use FRS radios now too - to avoid
tying up the Fire Frequencies here. I USE WHAT I MUST to get the job done.

clfe

An EMA Coordinator/Firefighter - line officer and former medic - self
employed in radio.