On 16 Oct 2003 18:58:55 GMT, Alun Palmer wrote:

Experienced, yes, but no professional test went above 20wpm, which I think
may be the real reason for the speed chosen for Extra. The 1st class
Radiotelegraph licence in the US had random blocks at 16wpm and plain
language at 20wpm,

The First Class Radiotelegraph test was 25 WPM plain language and
20 code groups per minute, one minute solid copy out of five minutes
sent and corresponding error-free sending.

To qualify for that license, one also had to be over 21, have or
qualify for the Second Class Radiotelegraph Operator certificate,
and have at least one year in the aggregate (360 days "on the
books") of handling manual Morse traffic at a ship or coast station
open to public correspondence, civilian or military.

whereas UK radio officers had to copy random blocks at
20wpm. I think 20wpm was standard around the world for testing ship's
radio officers. Of course, they don't have to do it anymore.

The UK requirements were the same as the US requirements for each
level of certificate - both contries' requirements derived from the
ITU Radio Regfulations and the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

My reference for the UK requirements is: Handbook for Radio
Operators Working Installations Licensed by Her Majesty's Postmaster
General, General Post Office, London, 1961 - Appendix 4.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane