In article k.net, "Dwight
Stewart" writes:


"Larry Roll K3LT" wrote:

The Morse/CW mode is the only mode which requires
the operator to acquire a physical psychomotor skill
in order to utilize that mode. Therefore, it makes sense
to test for a prospective operator's ability to receive
Morse code at some level, (snip)


You didn't answer the question, Larry. I asked why why there should be an
effort on the part of the ARS or FCC to promote (boost, encourage, or push)
this single operating mode (CW) and you responded with garbage about
"physical psychomotor skill." One has absolutely nothing to do with the
other. There are skills needed to operate every mode, but those skills are
self-taught. That is not the case with Morse code.

Dwight:

Bingo. You finally stumbled on the truth. To be able to effectively employ
the Morse/CW mode, prospective amateurs need to learn and gain
reasonable proficiency in what is, for most, an unintuitive communications
skill which requires a fairly challenging learning experience. The simple
fact is that most prospective hams, like myself at one time, can't be
bothered to undergo this learning experience, and find it easier to attempt
to do away with the requirement instead.

When I pointed that out,
you talked about an incentive to use CW (incentive by the ARS and FCC). At
that point, I asked you why there should be an effort on the part of the ARS
or FCC to promote this single operating mode. You brought this subject up,
so please do answer the question - why should there be an effort on the part
of the ARS or FCC to promote (boost, encourage, or push) this single
operating mode (CW)?

In order to retain the ability of radio amateurs to USE this single operating
mode, as already (repeatedly) explained.

The above is a non-sequitur, since there is no need for use
of the Morse/CW mode to "help keep the ARS abreast of
modern technology...". Your statement is illogical and
assumes facts not in evidence the negative effect of
Morse/CW use on the development of other communications
technologies within the ARS.

If you're going to argue that Morse/CW has no negative effect on the
efforts to help keep the ARS abreast of modern technology ("one of the
NCTA's more famous but totally worthless "red herring" arguments," you
said), it was not unreasonable for me to ask if CW has a positive effect on
the efforts to help keep the ARS abreast of modern technology.

It is a well-known fact that some of the simplest homebuilding/kitbuilding
projects available to radio amateurs are CW transmitters. As I can relate
from personal experience, building something that actually works and
gives one the ability to communicate on-the-air is a very motivating
learning experience, which usually leads to more advanced technical
involvement. Moreover, in a lot of the more uncommon modes used
by radio amateurs (EME, for instance), the Morse/CW mode is usually
the only type of modulation that works with any kind of useful reliability.
The value of Morse/CW is well-known to QRP enthusiasts, of course.

You've
answered my question (CW is irrelevant in that regard), so we can now move
on.

I never said that, Dwight -- that's just your own self-serving "spin." And,
in the usual Usenet pattern, you lie, you lose.

Feel free to try again if and when you can get it right.

73 de Larry, K3LT