Bill Sohl wrote:
..


So how come the other services abondoned morse as such a
valuable back-up?

Cheers,
Bill K2UNK


I am sure the Coast Guard and Navy are trembling in their boots
that the day will come when the only thing they may have to rely
on is CW and no one will have the skill.
The other services realized that CW has been outmoded for
communications for some time and finally gave it up. For hams it
is just another mode to communicate and those who like that mode
will learn it whether it is required or not. Don't set on the edge
of your chair Larry and Dick, anticipating the day when you and
your code skills are going to be the only thing to save the day.
With all the different types of coms available today, it ain't
going to happen. CW is outdated, but it will be a part of ham
radio for some time to come just because of the tradition, but
that is the only importance CW can hold in ham radio, tradition.