Dwight Stewart wrote in message ...
"Jerry Oxendine" wrote:
(snip) But *if* radio should fail (terrorists,
infrastructure, etc) then CW can get thru when
others fail. (snip)
That is very easy to claim but the fact that neither the military or
government requires all their operators to learn CW clearly suggests there
is something seriously wrong with that claim.
Dwight Stewart (W5NET)
http://www.qsl.net/w5net/
I think BOTH of you have lost context of what everyone is up in arms
over. Who cares if CW will get through when the other modes fail, it's
not important because those who pass the 5-wpm test are NOT equipped
to take advantage of that mode. I'm living proof of that. I'm NOWHERE
close to being Morse code proficient, yet I can pass Element 1 every
day of the week and twice on Sunday...and very likely with 100% copy.
We're talking about donning a set of headphones and having five
minutes of perfectly sent CW piped through in a format that, with some
minimal preparation, is fully expected. Ready? A one and a two and ...
N0CW DE KN0WCW, UR RST IS 589. M_ N_M_ IS J_NA_HON. RI_ HE_E I_ _AES_.
QT_ IS _LORI_A. _EATH_R I_ SU_N_.
The above sample represents 92 characters as sent on the test.
Remember, Numbers, punctuation marks, and prosigns count for two each.
Can ANTONE really look at this and assuming that BOTH calls up front
are missed, believe that the average Joe can't fill in the missed
characters solely from commonn sense?!
Does passing Element 1 demonstrate Morse proficiency? Heck no. It's
not jumping through hoops, it's not a barrier, (Except to the lazy.)
it's a forced TASTE. That's it. YES it's a method by which one is
FORCED to utilize a little self discipline and try out a little CW.
Like it...keep moving and practice on your own. Don't like it...drop
it like a bad habit. But to say that:
A. Morse code is a barrier to ham radio.
B. Passing Element 1 represents "knowing" Morse code.
C. If the military doesn't use it, it's no longer needed.
Is pure horsefeathers. Sorry, but it's time to call the lazy...lazy. I
personally believe that 5-wpm is great for entry-level HF (Including
the General, BTW.) with 13-wpm for the Extra. The no-code Tech allows
those who wish to enter ham radio sans the code so the barrier
argument is empty. Try passing Element 1 and just hopping on 40 and
see how "proficient" you feel. Finally, who gives a hoot whether or
not the military uses CW...this is ham radio, rich with tradition.
It's part of our culture. Don't like it...try scale modelling or
gardening. I wanted more than CB could offer. I researched the
requirements...and fulfilled them. END OF STORY.
You better believe that I'll be writing the FCC and EVERY local and
state rep who'll listen and I'll make sure they know that I'm a newbie
and a CBer too. (No barrier to either.) A suggestion to all. (Even you
NCTA.) When you get those political flyers in your mailbox, respond to
them immediately re. your concerns. Those are when these guys are
hungry for their jobs and will likely, at the very least, make
inquiries. Remember, one ham's letter is responsible for the vanity
call system AFTER his NPRM was denied. His letter ended up in the
hands of a rep who had some say with the FCC's budget. How quickly the
vanity call system was implemented WITHOUT a second NPRM. Your
political and monetary clout will have much more leverage than NCI. I
happen to believe that PCTA outnumber NCTA by 2:1...likely why the
idea of a square and fair vote scares 'em $hitless. Then comes the
"FCC knows best" whine to go along with the "regulatory" cheese. What
a stroke of luck it is that the FCC has ZERO interest in the ARS and
welcomes anything that'll reduce it's "regulatory" workload. (Oh, so
THAT'S where that darned word fits in.)
I for one cannot join in recent "celebration of underachievement."
PCTA's, get off your duffs and write a letter. (Not to the FCC, to
your local reps.)
73 de Bert
WA2SI
FISTS# 9384