On Jan 7, 12:13 am, Jeffrey D Angus wrote:

Oddly enough, the only mode that was outlawed by the FCC was spark.

FCC didn't outlaw spark use by hams. The Department of Commerce did;
FCC would not exist for several more years. (yes, I'm a stickler for
historical accuracy).

But it was only outlawed after hams stopped using it (1927 IIRC).

Yet some people still carry as if dropping Element 2 was somehow
banning CW (Morse Code) from the airwaves.

I just don't get it.

I think it's a semantics/attitude thing. People write "they dropped the
code" not "they dropped the code TEST". Or they name an organization
"No-Code..." not "No-Code-Test..."

It may be a minor difference to some, but not to others.

You know, there's other "out dated" modes that are still in use
on the Amateur bands. AM and RTTY to name a couple. And yet,
there NEVER was a proficiency test for either mode.

People who are going to use AM already know how to speak and listen.
And I don't think it's possible to get an amateur license if you can't
read, which is the main skill needed to use RTTY.

I think the big issue with Morse Code testing was that most would-be
hams don't already have the skills needed to use the mode, even at a
basic level. So having a test, even a basic 5 wpm test, meant actually
learning a new skill. Unlike "book learning", skills take practice and
active engagement of the student to learn.

All ancient history now.

Things change, but there will always be room for and people who use
CW on the Amateur bands.

I hope so. But there are a few who would completely ban Morse Code
*use* if they could.

Oh, and in answer to your question, you promote it by using it.
And you make a point to tutor others how to use it. And that means
putting up with people like me that are a bit rusty when I happen
to get on the air. QRS doesn't mean calling CQ on my frequency
instead of slowing down so I can copy.

Of course. Speed is relative. To the 5 wpm operator, 15 wpm is blazing
fast. To the 45 wpm operator, 15 wpm is crawling slow.

Speed isn't the only skill, either

See you on the low end of 80 and 40.

73 de Jim, N2EY