Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#201
|
|||
|
|||
|
#202
|
|||
|
|||
"Dee D. Flint" wrote:
"Dwight Stewart" wrote: [snip] The FCC recently said "the emphasis on Morse code proficiency as a licensing requirement does not comport with the basis and purpose of the service." They came to that conclusion after looking at modern communications systems outside Amateur Radio and the changes that have occurred in communications over the last fifty years. They noted that "no communication system has been designed in many years that depends on hand-keyed telegraphy or the ability to receive messages in Morse code by ear." And they said reducing the emphasis on telegraphy proficiency as a licensing requirement would "allow the amateur service to, as it has in the past, attract technically inclined persons, particularly the youth of our country, and encourage them to learn and to prepare themselves in the areas where the United States needs expertise." That deemphasis has already occurred. The no-code tech was instituted in the late 1980s and the code for the higher classes was dropped to only 5wpm in 2000. There is no need for further deemphasis. (snip) I disagree. The reasons stated for reducing code (changes over last 50 years, no system dependant on code in many years, and so on) could just as easily be used to argue against a code test of any kind. In other words, how are those facts changed by a 5 wpm test instead of a 13 wpm test? (snip) Morse code/CW is unique and cannot be covered by the written tests. Actually (snip) It is unique only in the level of emphasis placed on it. Without that emphasis, there would be no unique test for it. Which brings us right back where I started, pointing to what the FCC has said - "the emphasis on Morse code proficiency as a licensing requirement does not comport with the basis and purpose of the service." Dwight Stewart (W5NET) http://www.qsl.net/w5net/ |
#203
|
|||
|
|||
"Bert Craig" wrote:
Nobody's forcing anybody to use it, just learn it...and only for HF privies. Given another statement in your reply ("unique skill...decoded by the human brain"), that statement is rather illogical, isn't it? If the "skill" tested is the ability to decode code with the human brain, it would seem one would have to "use" that ability at some level just to pass the test. At 5-wpm, it's more a demonstration of discipline than proficiency. That is where the true crux lies. The FCC doesn't have a mandate to test discipline. And, beyond the rules and good operating practices, we shouldn't expect it either. After all, we're not the military or a karate school. They've already reduced the emphasis by creating the no-code Technician ticket and further by reducing the required code speed for the General and Extra tickets. As I told Dee, the reasons quoted in my earlier message for reducing code (changes over last 50 years, no system dependant on code in many years, and so on) could just as easily be used to argue against a code test of any kind. In other words, how are those facts changed by a 5 wpm test instead of a 13 wpm test? Dwight Stewart (W5NET) http://www.qsl.net/w5net/ |
#204
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike Coslo" wrote: Dwight, how about giving us a good rational reason to continue testing at all. I can break every reason with either rationale or minor modifications to equipment. The FCC itself has already effectively provided that answer when they said "the emphasis on Morse code proficiency as a licensing requirement does not comport with the basis and purpose of the service." Clearly, the written tests do comport with the basis and purpose of the service, and I doubt many of us, including you, would disagree. Dwight Stewart (W5NET) http://www.qsl.net/w5net/ |
#205
|
|||
|
|||
cb and shortwave groups trimmed
Dan/W4NTI wrote: "Mike Coslo" wrote in message some snippage As I figured, the BPL internet access concept is going down fast. A test of BPL was run in Alabama. A engineer friend of mine told me it was not coming up to what was advertised in Birmingham. Repeaters were needed way too often, thus jacking up the expense. Unless the FCC is totally braindead I think BPL, as proposed will die by itself. However what they want is INCREASE the power of BPL over and above what is presently allowed under part 15. They may take that route. We shall see. I think they should be told that "Ya can't polish a Turd!" - Mike KB3EIA - |
#206
|
|||
|
|||
That deemphasis has already occurred. The no-code tech was instituted in the late 1980s and the code for the higher classes was dropped to only 5wpm in 2000. There is no need for further deemphasis. Particularly when the stated reason was attract technically inclined people. That hasn't happened so the reason for deemphasis has been proven to be invalid. Get the foul mouthed red necked yahoos off of HF and I'll consider wasting my time to learn CW to meet and exceed your criteria. |
#207
|
|||
|
|||
At 5-wpm, it's more a demonstration of discipline than proficiency. That
is where the true crux lies. A better demonstration of discipline would be if CW trained amateurs would stop using HF like it was 11 meters. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
ARRL Propose New License Class & Code-Free HF Access | Antenna | |||
ARRL Walks Away From Bandwidth Restrictions | Dx | |||
ARRL Walks Away From Bandwidth Restrictions | Dx | |||
BPL, the ARRL and the UPLC | Homebrew | |||
ARRL FUD about BPL | General |