wrote:
Iitoi wrote:
Point your internet browser here ---
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-269012A1.pdf

The Man in the Maze
QRS from Babobquivari Peak, Arizona
--
Iitoi

Now that Morse Code must compete in a free market, it is up to the
enthusiasts to promote the mode.

That has always been the case. For at least 50 years, hams have not
been required to *use* Morse Code on the air, only to learn enough of
it to pass the tests.

That test will be gone when the R&O takes effect.

Many of your arguments in favor of
Morse Code were legitimate for the promotion of the mode, but not for
the retention of a stand-alone Pass/Fail Exam which denies access to
the MF/HF privileges to many.

In your opinion. Those who made the arguments thought they were
legitimate.

As for "many", there are currently (Dec. 15) 656,264 individuals with
current, valid FCC amateur radio licenses. It will be interesting to
see if that number increases, and by how much, over the next several
years.

The FCC finally ruled on it, without all
the usual fanfare, comment period, and at least on the sidelines, lots
of argument and name calling.

Y'know, Brian, I'm convinced that you either have a sensory/cognition
problem, or deliberately
post inaccurate information as a way of getting attention.

The restructuring of 2000 eliminated all but the 5 wpm code test,
because FCC said it was still needed to satisfy the ITU treaty - and
for no other reason.

In 2003, the treaty changed to eliminate that requirement.

FCC got no less than 18 proposals addressing the Morse Code test and
other license issues. They all got RM numbers and all got comments,
reply comments, etc.

Last year (2005), FCC replied to all those proposals and put out an
NPRM that proposed eliminating Element 1. It drew thousands of
comments, reply comments, etc.

FCC went through all the SOP steps for rules changes. Yesterday's
announcement is just the FCC's announcement of their decision.

Kinda puts the lie to "without all the usual fanfare, comment period"
and such.

Didn't you know all that?

So, its time to go forth and multiply. The converts you get will do so
for the love of the mode, not because the government made them do it to
gain more voice priveleges.

We will see how many new hams we actually get - and what they are like.