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In article , "Phil Kane"
writes: On 16 Sep 2003 00:19:14 GMT, N2EY wrote: The old code test worked like this: A rather accurate description of how license tests should be run..... Thanks! You were allowed to bring a mill for receiving and speed key for sending, but you'd better be well-prepared if you showed up with same. No mill was allowed for amateur tests - all copy was by hand. I'll take your word for it, Phil. Were mills permitted if a person was disabled? Perhaps that's the source of the stories I heard. A mill was allowed only for the First RadioTelegraph (Commercial) 25 WPM plain language test - not even for the 20 WPM code group test. Yet oddly enough, the US Navy was very big on copy by typewriter. Speed keys or later on electronic keyers were allowed only if they could be hooked up to the straight key terminals (with about 67 V "B+" on them). And be sure the thing is battery powered or bring an extension cord. Only once in all the years did I see anyone with a bug who used that special "spring" for connection to the body of a J-38 type straight key. The term is "wedge". Most of us just used the straight key. I sadly do not expect the FCC to get back into the exam business, but there is nothing stopping them for requiring the VEC/VEs to run the tests like they used to be run. All it takes is commitment. And some rules changes. Didja know that the FISTS petition to the FCC calls for an end to "instant" retests? It proposes that if an element is failed, the person cannot be retested on that element until the next day. 73 de Jim, N2EY |
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"S. Hanrahan" wrote in message
... On 6 Sep 2003 07:23:43 -0700, (Brian) wrote: Oh, geez. Here's another Morse Elitist that apparently advocates sending code so **** poorly that it can't be computer copied. Hoo-ah! At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. I came into the fray relatively unbiased re. the code vs. no-code debate. However, once you hear some of the arguments presented, it's hard not to see it for what it really is. 73 de Bert WA2SI |
On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:35:58 GMT, "Bert Craig"
wrote: "S. Hanrahan" wrote in message .. At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. Exactly. I look at it this way, if a person doesn't want to learn the code, fine, if they want to fine, just don't come up to me and bitch and moan that 5 WPM is a hurdle or mountain too high to climb. I'm hearing impaired in both ears, and I can copy 45-50 WPM in my head solidly, and attained the 20 before taking my General class written, without waivers. As I said, I can copy 45-50 WPM solidly. 99.9% of my casual CW contacts are no faster than 18 WPM or adjusted accordingly if I'm responding to someones else's CQ. Stacey/AA7YA |
S. Hanrahan wrote in
: On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:35:58 GMT, "Bert Craig" wrote: "S. Hanrahan" wrote in message . . At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. Exactly. I look at it this way, if a person doesn't want to learn the code, fine, if they want to fine, just don't come up to me and bitch and moan that 5 WPM is a hurdle or mountain too high to climb. I'm hearing impaired in both ears, and I can copy 45-50 WPM in my head solidly, and attained the 20 before taking my General class written, without waivers. As I said, I can copy 45-50 WPM solidly. 99.9% of my casual CW contacts are no faster than 18 WPM or adjusted accordingly if I'm responding to someones else's CQ. Stacey/AA7YA 5 wpm is easy. I admit that. However, as you can copy 45-50 wpm, you are so far to the other extreme end of the bell curve that I don't beleive you really know that yourself. It would be like Michelle Kwan wondering how beginners can fall over on the ice. More to the point, a 5wpm test is slow enough to be pointless, as someone who passes it doesn't really have much of a useful skill level. At 13 wpm it was a significant hurdle, but at 5 it's merely a waste of time. Either way, it still has no relevance to the use of a microphone.It's like learning to ice skate to take part in a bicycle race. |
S. Hanrahan wrote:
On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:35:58 GMT, "Bert Craig" wrote: "S. Hanrahan" wrote in message . . At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. Exactly. I look at it this way, if a person doesn't want to learn the code, fine, if they want to fine, just don't come up to me and bitch and moan that 5 WPM is a hurdle or mountain too high to climb. I'm hearing impaired in both ears, and I can copy 45-50 WPM in my head solidly, and attained the 20 before taking my General class written, without waivers. Now you have my attention, Stacey! What is the nature of your hearing loss, if I may ask? I have tinnitus and am about 60 db down compared to normal hearing, with several 100 db plus holes in various places. One of the weird things about my particular flavor of hearing loss is that all incoming sounds seem to get equal treatment in my brain. Whereas it appears that most people can filter out the good stuff from the noise, I end up treating all sounds equally. No mental DSP here, unfortunately! 8^) At any rate, I've had to do a lot of work to get this far. Took 6 months of intense work to get to 5wpm, and I've been working daily on increasing my speed for the last month or so. I don't envy much, but I envy those who were able to pick Morse code up in a few weekends. - Mike KB3EIA - |
Alun Palmer wrote in message . ..
S. Hanrahan wrote in : On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:35:58 GMT, "Bert Craig" wrote: "S. Hanrahan" wrote in message . . At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. Exactly. I look at it this way, if a person doesn't want to learn the code, fine, if they want to fine, just don't come up to me and bitch and moan that 5 WPM is a hurdle or mountain too high to climb. I'm hearing impaired in both ears, and I can copy 45-50 WPM in my head solidly, and attained the 20 before taking my General class written, without waivers. As I said, I can copy 45-50 WPM solidly. 99.9% of my casual CW contacts are no faster than 18 WPM or adjusted accordingly if I'm responding to someones else's CQ. Stacey/AA7YA 5 wpm is easy. I admit that. However, as you can copy 45-50 wpm, you are so far to the other extreme end of the bell curve that I don't beleive you really know that yourself. Well, then here's the voice of the other extreme. It would be like Michelle Kwan wondering how beginners can fall over on the ice. I more liken it to requiring the beginner to learn the basics before they can skate in the same rink with Michelle Kwan. More to the point, a 5wpm test is slow enough to be pointless, as someone who passes it doesn't really have much of a useful skill level. The value is not so much in one's instant proficiency, it's in the exposure level sufficient to allow said newbie to make a truly educated decision as to whether or not s/he wishes to pursue CW any further. There is also the intangible feeling of accomplishment that comes with "earning" privileges by meeting a significant challenge. I truly don't consider a 35 or 50 question multiple choice test out of published Q&A pools of approx. six to eight hundred questions, much of a "challenge." At 13 wpm it was a significant hurdle, but at 5 it's merely a waste of time. The more "challenging" the hurdle, the more "privileges earned." Most licenses aren't "rights," they're "privileges." That includes AR. Either way, it still has no relevance to the use of a microphone. I don't want to reduce it to just that. There's a bigger picture. (Read: more rounded.) It's like learning to ice skate to take part in a bicycle race. No, it's like learning the basics of cycling before being allowed to participate in the race. Most people take issue with the "being allowed to" part and try to give all sorts of lame reasons why they shouldn't be made to "jump through hoops" and hurdle "barriers." Like I said, when you peel away the layers of the onion...theres no substance at the core. And that's the sacrifice some are willing to accept for an "easier" ARS. 73 de Bert WA2SI |
"Bert Craig" wrote in message m... Alun Palmer wrote in message . .. S. Hanrahan wrote in : On Wed, 05 Nov 2003 12:35:58 GMT, "Bert Craig" wrote: "S. Hanrahan" wrote in message . . At 5 WPM, you don't need a computer to copy good or poor code. I think you've just hit the nail on the head. It's really not how hard or easy 5-wpm is, it's the willingness (or lack thereof) to make the initial (i.e. "initiative") effort to learn the 43 required characters. Exactly. I look at it this way, if a person doesn't want to learn the code, fine, if they want to fine, just don't come up to me and bitch and moan that 5 WPM is a hurdle or mountain too high to climb. I'm hearing impaired in both ears, and I can copy 45-50 WPM in my head solidly, and attained the 20 before taking my General class written, without waivers. As I said, I can copy 45-50 WPM solidly. 99.9% of my casual CW contacts are no faster than 18 WPM or adjusted accordingly if I'm responding to someones else's CQ. Stacey/AA7YA 5 wpm is easy. I admit that. However, as you can copy 45-50 wpm, you are so far to the other extreme end of the bell curve that I don't beleive you really know that yourself. Well, then here's the voice of the other extreme. It would be like Michelle Kwan wondering how beginners can fall over on the ice. I more liken it to requiring the beginner to learn the basics before they can skate in the same rink with Michelle Kwan. More to the point, a 5wpm test is slow enough to be pointless, as someone who passes it doesn't really have much of a useful skill level. The value is not so much in one's instant proficiency, it's in the exposure level sufficient to allow said newbie to make a truly educated decision as to whether or not s/he wishes to pursue CW any further. There is also the intangible feeling of accomplishment that comes with "earning" privileges by meeting a significant challenge. I truly don't consider a 35 or 50 question multiple choice test out of published Q&A pools of approx. six to eight hundred questions, much of a "challenge." At 13 wpm it was a significant hurdle, but at 5 it's merely a waste of time. The more "challenging" the hurdle, the more "privileges earned." Most licenses aren't "rights," they're "privileges." That includes AR. Either way, it still has no relevance to the use of a microphone. I don't want to reduce it to just that. There's a bigger picture. (Read: more rounded.) It's like learning to ice skate to take part in a bicycle race. No, it's like learning the basics of cycling before being allowed to participate in the race. Most people take issue with the "being allowed to" part and try to give all sorts of lame reasons why they shouldn't be made to "jump through hoops" and hurdle "barriers." Like I said, when you peel away the layers of the onion...theres no substance at the core. And that's the sacrifice some are willing to accept for an "easier" ARS. 73 de Bert WA2SI Dang Bert....I've never hear it put so well. Thanks for illuminating the playing field. Dan/W4NTI |
"Bert Craig" wrote
No, it's like learning the basics of cycling before being allowed to participate in the race. Did your Dad & Mom make you take a test before they bought you your first bike? But actually, Morse code is a bit like learning to ride a bike.... it's sort of "self testing"..... if you want to use it, you'll learn how. 73, de Hans, K0HB -- "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way." --Bokonon |
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