On Sun, 7 Jan 2007 09:47:23 -0500, "Carl R. Stevenson"
wrote:

Actually, I believe that the main reason that most emergency/public service
stuff is done using voice (or digital modes) is that they're faster and more
convenient to use in a "tactical" situation.

Yeah. Imagine a high speed chase in the city, and the cop in the
pursuing patrol car tapping out the street names with his key with one
hand while he steers the car with the other hand. Or attempts to steer
the car.

Presenting CW as "something fun" is fine (as long as the presentee is
allowed to decide for him/her self whether it's really fun or not :-)

Presenting it as a "standard" or "value" (implying that without CW you're as
Larry and others used to say "not a REAL ham" is not the way.

Those who like CW should take comfort ... by all reports, in most of the
other countries that have eliminated the CW requirement, MORE people are
learning it now that before - folks may choose to do something if it's
presented right and their choice, but tend not to like having things forced
upon them.

I think by now we should be happy because someone shows interest in
ham radio at all, regardless of which modes of operation they're
interested in.

John Kasupski, KC2HMZ