Kim W5TIT wrote:
"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message
...

"Mike Coslo" wrote:

First off, I don't think I've ever said "dumbed
down". If you know I have, post the reference.


You've agreed with Brian and 'dumbed down" were his words.



I do not consider the Morse Code to be *any
test of intelligence or desirability whatsoever.

What I do consider it is a method of ensuring
that the person actually wants to be in the
service. It is a measure of inclusivity, not
exclusivity. Kind of like learning to parallel
park or do a three point turn.


That ridiculous, Mike. Surely you must be joking. That premise is absurd
at its very core. It's basically saying nearly half the Hams today, those
without code skills, didn't actually want to be involved in Ham Radio -

that

all their money invested in radio equipment and efforts invested in
activities were done because they didn't really want any of this. And

that,

in the end, only a code test will prove they actually did want it. If I
didn't think you were serious, I'd be laughing at this point.



(snip) We do already have indications of what
the spectrum of behaviors are. Right now, those
who favor less knowledge have the upper hand.


Okay, now I'm laughing. Where are all those people who have the upper

hand

(the ones who favor less knowledge)? There must be many thousands of them

if

they have the upper hand. I've been involved with Ham Radio for a number

of

years now and I have yet to hear all those people advocating less

knowledge

about Ham Radio. I haven't seen any web sites stating that goal. I've

never

talked to a person on the radio who has stated that goal. If these people
actually exist, they must be the most secret group in America.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/



That's because you won't hear it anywhere but here--as whining, Dwight.
With the exception of a few on this newsgroup, the participants in this
newsgroup are very out of touch with ham radio...

I know many hams who are bothered by this, Kim. They don't participate
in this newsgroup, but they still are concerned. And it really is pretty
hard to argue that complete removal of a test element is not a reduction
in the amount of knowledge needed to pass a test.


- Mike KB3EIA -