Al Klein wrote:

The original claim wasn't that it makes him more proficient in
everything, just that it makes him a more proficient operator. Being
equal in everything else, but more proficient in code, makes one more
proficient.

Is logic a lost art?

I still hold to the belief, claim, whatever that knowing CW in itself,
does not make an operator more proficient in anything but CW. I would
even submit that some operators who only use CW are less proficient
operators than a modern ham who uses many more modes and methods,
including modern digital modes, to communicate. Follow the logic Al.
Someone who is versed in more facets of Amateur Radio than simply CW is
a more proficient operator. Yes, I guess you are correct, logic is a
lost art.



You may be able to use the code, but if you cannot use modern digital
methods, use sat communication, able to handle emergency communication,
able to set up digital networks and use them effectively, build modern
solid-state equipment, etc., then you are not a more proficient amateur
operator, you just are more proficient in code and that is not going to
help us much in the 21st Century.

And, if there's effectively no testing, which is the current case, how
do you propose that we get operators who CAN "use modern digital
methods, use sat communication, able to handle emergency communication
...", etc? Wishing makes it so?

No, desire does. Every amateur has their niche that they want to
pursue. Forcing a CW test on someone does not make them have a desire to
use it. In fact, forcing someone to test on an archaic mode of
communication may in fact keep them away from the service and therefore
they will never develop an interest in learning and using modern
communication methods.


As I said before, PSK31 can be copied when the human ear cannot even
hear the signal, if you cannot hear code, you cannot copy it period.

CW can be copied below the noise. Whether it can be copied as far
below the noise as PSK31 can is a good question. With the amount of
experience I have with both modes, I think I can safely say that CW
can be copied further into the noise than PSK31 can. (You need SOME
detectable original signal for PSK31 to work - after all, you have to
be able to detect the phase shift. CW can be copied even if it's
nothing more than modulated noise. And, if there are any old sounder
operators left, even key clicks can be copied.)

Al, you seem to have trouble reading. I never mentioned copying below
the noise level. What I said was CW cannot be copied if the human ear
cannot hear it. I have copied PSK when the audio of the signal could
not be copied by the human ear. It's just that simple. All the BS
about CW being the only true weak signal mode is well just BS. There
are superior modes to CW and PSK is one of them.


So code is no longer the be-all-end-all. Modern 21st communication methods
have replaced it.

It never was all there is, but let's see you use "modern 21st
communication methods" in an emergency situation when all you have is
a source of RF - nothing to modulate it with. Going to yell at the
oscillator and hope it's microphonic enough to produce some NBFM?

Yup, if all you have is a source of RF and nothing else, I guess you are
screwed. But that is not reality. You would have a real problem if you
did not have a source of RF, gee Al, let's call it a transmitter and use
big people words. I wonder why NASA does not have CW capability on the
Shuttle and Space Station - you know, just in case. Why have our armed
forces stopped using it? What happens in war if all they have is a
transmitter? Get real.


If we are going to attract new people to the service, we need to get
into the 21st Century and get the old farts away from the old code and
tubes crap.

They said that in the 50s too - "we have modern communications like
SSB - who needs CW?" ... yet CW still lives. I doubt it'll be a
requirement in 100 years , but I also doubt that no one will be able
to copy it.

Yup CW still lives and it will go on for quite awhile. Forcing people
to learn and use it is not the way to keep it going. It probably won't
be a requirement in 5 to 10 years. I guess that is just evolution. Out
with the old and in with the new.