"Larry Roll K3LT" wrote:

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. (snip)


A learning experience that can be accomplished without a license exam (Boy
Scouts routinely did it), therefore not an argument supporting a code
testing requirement.


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


You still haven't answered the question, Larry. I asked why there should
be an effort on the part of the ARS or FCC to encourage (boost, promote, or
push) this single operating mode (CW)? Or, to put it another way (and use
your own words), why should the ARS or FCC make an attempt to "retain the
ability of radio amateurs to USE this single operating mode?" Again, this
operating mode offers nothing today beyond simple recreation. So I guess
another point might be to ask why the ARS or FCC would require testing of
all for a primarily recreational operating mode?


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, (snip)


And I can relate from personal experience that electronics can be learned
easily without building a CW transmitter. Ramsey alone has more than a dozen
radio-related kits worthy of consideration by those seeking electronics
skills. So, while building a CW transmitter is certainly worthwhile for
those interested in CW, there are other avenues for those not interested in
CW (a fact that undermines any association this may appear to have with a
code testing requirement).


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

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