SAN FRANCISCO: It may be the ultimate SOS.

Morse Code is in distress.
.......
.......
While the decision had been expected, some ham radio operators fear that
their exclusive club has been opened to the unwashed masses
- and that the very survival of Morse Code is in question.
.......
The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham radio
itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to about
500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
.......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor of World
Radio magazine and a field representative for the
Centers for Disease of Control and Prevention in Metamora, Michigan. "We
live in a society today that wants something for nothing."

A female in a mostly male radio world, Kott is one of about 660,000 licensed
ham operators in the United States and is the U.S.
leader of Fists CW Club, an organization that calls itself the International
Morse Preservation Society.

... So true, Ms. Kott...

Stefan Wolfe wrote:
...
... So true, Ms. Kott...



Let's demand Ms. Kott learn to do calligraphy, make handmade parchment
and operate an old franklin press, before we license her to be a mag's
editor!

Then let's see how she feels about "dumbing down."

JS

Stefan Wolfe wrote:


The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham radio
itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to about
500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor of World
Radio magazine

In the R&O, the FCC observed that there was no connection between morse
code knowledge and compliance with the rules. The old 14.313 disaster
was back in the days of 13 WPM and above coded hams. And VHF didn't
turn into a CB mess since no code technician licenses started. And HF
didn't get worse with 5WPM generals and extras. So as far as the FCC is
concerned, they decided that there was no regulatory point in keeping
element 1 in the tests. And the FCC isn't in the business of handing
out merit badges. The whole point in requiring license testing is to be
sure that people are at least aware of the responsibilities involved
with transmitting RF into the radio spectra, that we do it in such a way
that doesn't trash the spectrum for other users, ham and others. We
then get permission to build, modify and so on transmitting equipment if
we want to. CBers or FRSers are not supposed to do that.

As for newbies, virtually all new hams want to be accepted into our
world, and will learn and adjust their operating habits as needed to be
accepted. This has been true since day one, and aside from a few fools
saying things like "No kids, no lids, and no space cadets" everyone
knows what it was like to be a newbie.

My 2 cents on this....
Code has been on it's way out for a long time. With all the new modes it is
hard to require code and not the others.
Being a new ham myself, I found the 5wpm easy, to tell the truth 5wpm is
harder than 15wpm to me. Sometimes you can go too slow...
One thing that I have a problem with in the general written test is the
lack of proper operating procedures. I had no Elmer's for HF so the only way
I learned was by listening and making a few embarrassing mistakes that I was
corrected on with no lack of teasing. I wont say what was said but lets say
there is a wide gap between 2 meters and HF.

BTW I can repair my TS-400s and I run all my rigs off of solar power and
battery storage. I am not an idiot but have found that the more I learn
about ham radio, the more questions I have.
I just wish that there were more people out there like all of you, that
takes the time to help out the newbie's like me. I am a 45 year old newbie.
One more note..I was able to help out the EOC in Gulfport Mississippi,
after hurricane Katrina shortly after getting my technicians license. I was
down there for work and donated my spare 2m rig. So I guess I am proof that
even a newbie can help out when it counts.
Joe
KI4ILB
"robert casey" wrote in message
nk.net...
Stefan Wolfe wrote:


The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham
radio
itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to about
500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor of
World
Radio magazine

In the R&O, the FCC observed that there was no connection between morse
code knowledge and compliance with the rules. The old 14.313 disaster
was back in the days of 13 WPM and above coded hams. And VHF didn't
turn into a CB mess since no code technician licenses started. And HF
didn't get worse with 5WPM generals and extras. So as far as the FCC is
concerned, they decided that there was no regulatory point in keeping
element 1 in the tests. And the FCC isn't in the business of handing
out merit badges. The whole point in requiring license testing is to be
sure that people are at least aware of the responsibilities involved
with transmitting RF into the radio spectra, that we do it in such a way
that doesn't trash the spectrum for other users, ham and others. We
then get permission to build, modify and so on transmitting equipment if
we want to. CBers or FRSers are not supposed to do that.

As for newbies, virtually all new hams want to be accepted into our
world, and will learn and adjust their operating habits as needed to be
accepted. This has been true since day one, and aside from a few fools
saying things like "No kids, no lids, and no space cadets" everyone
knows what it was like to be a newbie.

merlin-7 wrote:
My 2 cents on this....
Code has been on it's way out for a long time. With all the new modes it is
hard to require code and not the others.
Being a new ham myself, I found the 5wpm easy, to tell the truth 5wpm is
harder than 15wpm to me. Sometimes you can go too slow...
...

First you only hear dit and dahs. Then whole letters. Then whole words ...

Regards,
JS

Odd thing that happend in the uk after code was dropped...code useage went
up...
Joe

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote in message
...
SAN FRANCISCO: It may be the ultimate SOS.

Morse Code is in distress.
......
......
While the decision had been expected, some ham radio operators fear that
their exclusive club has been opened to the unwashed masses
- and that the very survival of Morse Code is in question.
......
The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham
radio
itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to about
500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor of
World
Radio magazine and a field representative for the
Centers for Disease of Control and Prevention in Metamora, Michigan. "We
live in a society today that wants something for nothing."

A female in a mostly male radio world, Kott is one of about 660,000
licensed
ham operators in the United States and is the U.S.
leader of Fists CW Club, an organization that calls itself the
International
Morse Preservation Society.

... So true, Ms. Kott...

"merlin-7" wrote in
:

Odd thing that happend in the uk after code was dropped...code useage
went up...
Joe

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote in message
...
SAN FRANCISCO: It may be the ultimate SOS.

Morse Code is in distress.
......
......
While the decision had been expected, some ham radio operators fear
that their exclusive club has been opened to the unwashed masses
- and that the very survival of Morse Code is in question.
......
The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham
radio
itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to
about 500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor
of
World

The whole quote was:



“It’s part of the dumbing down of America,” said Nancy Kott, editor of
World Radio magazine and a field representative for the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention in Metamora, Mich. “We live in a society
today that wants something for nothing.”

At what point is the potential Ham Dumb and wanting something for
nothing?

Was it when they lowered the requirement to 5 wpm for all license
classes? Speaking of 5wpm, were all Novices dumb and looking for
something for nothing? And were Generals and advanced just dumb enough,
and just looking for something for almost nothing?

I'm just about at the point of thinking that Morse CW use *will*
increase after the test requirement goes away.

I wonder what type of antennas the new dumb hams will use - just to
bring this on topic, since it's crossposted to an rraa.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA

Mike Coslo wrote in
6:

"merlin-7" wrote in
:

Odd thing that happend in the uk after code was dropped...code useage
went up...
Joe

"Stefan Wolfe" wrote in message
...
SAN FRANCISCO: It may be the ultimate SOS.

Morse Code is in distress.
......
......
While the decision had been expected, some ham radio operators fear
that their exclusive club has been opened to the unwashed masses
- and that the very survival of Morse Code is in question.
......
The demise of the Morse requirement, however, could be a boon for ham
radio itself. After the FCC decision, demand for information
about radio licenses surged from about 200 in a typical weekend to
about 500, according to the American Radio Relay League, an
organization representing ham radio operators.
......
"It's part of the dumbing down of America," said Nancy Kott, editor
of
World

The whole quote was:



“It’s part of the dumbing down of America,” said Nancy Kott, editor of
World Radio magazine and a field representative for the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention in Metamora, Mich. “We live in a society
today that wants something for nothing.”

At what point is the potential Ham Dumb and wanting something
for
nothing?

Was it when they lowered the requirement to 5 wpm for all
license
classes? Speaking of 5wpm, were all Novices dumb and looking for
something for nothing? And were Generals and advanced just dumb enough,
and just looking for something for almost nothing?

I'm just about at the point of thinking that Morse CW use
*will*
increase after the test requirement goes away.

I wonder what type of antennas the new dumb hams will use -
just to
bring this on topic, since it's crossposted to an rraa.

- 73 de Mike KB3EIA




Sure it will. I long ago promised I would have a QSO using CW if the test
was abolished. That's at least one additional QSO.

merlin-7 wrote:
Odd thing that happend in the uk after code was dropped...code useage went
up...
Joe


That may well be true but if you go over to uk.radio.amateur you
might be forgiven for thinking that the sky is about to fall in.
There a small number of individuals who are hostile and dismissive
of newcomers but I recall similar behaviour 40 years ago.

This whole code thing has me snoring - I took my RAE in 1964, lost
interest in the hobby but spent 25 years in electronics. At no time
did I ever want to receive or send Morse code. Coming back to the
hobby after 40 years I enjoy making gear and experimenting with
antennas as well as winkling out dx.

I have to say that I will not be complaining because I can have a
full license sans Morse code and it will not make or break me as an
operator. What will make me a good operator is that I understand
where and how I should be operating, that I understand my equipment
and it's limitations and that I respect others users of the amateur
bands. Plus, I am willing to listen and learn


Charlie.

--
www.wymsey.co.uk

"merlin-7" wrote in message
...
Odd thing that happend in the uk after code was dropped...code useage went
up...
Joe

A rather odd statement.

How does one measure "code usage"?

It went "up" compared to what?

It went "up" according to one observer who somehow could simultaneously
monitor all bands everywhere in the UK? Do you also count the code usage of
DX stations communicating with all UK hams or do you only count the UK side
of the QSO's? What was the actual amount of code usage prior to and then
after the elimination of the requirement? How do you express a unit of code
usage? (dits + dahs)/sec/Hz * unit time?