In article , "Dee D. Flint"
writes:

"Clint" rattlehead at computron dot net wrote in message
...
(4) The public at large (ham radio operators) should NOT
be BURDENED with having to make choices; they
should not have the freedom to choose how to use
thier skills to the ends that they see fit; such is an
IMPOSITION upon them.

By eliminating the testing requirement for Morse code, we are seriously
undermining people's freedom of choice.

Incredible illogic!!!

Choices need to be based on sufficient knowledge of the subject.

The FCC determines what is necessary to pass THEIR requirements
for an amateur radio operator license.

Morse code is one of those areas where
a person needs to learn the basics and experience it before they have
sufficient knowledge.

Tested morse code proficiency was required by the GOVERNMENT
in the early days of radio for the first US radio regulatory agency.
Back then, on-off keying codes were the ONLY way to communicate
using early primitive radio. The GOVERNMENT's main reason for the
code test was so that all radio operators in all radio services could be
contacted in order to mitigate radio interference.

This is the year 2003, not 1912, not 1896, and not 1844 (the first year
of commercial code use on the Morse-Vail telegraph system). The
FCC stated publicly 13 years ago that the morse code test was NOT
a real requirement to determine if an amateur should be licensed. The
FCC stated that the only reason for retaining the code test in 1990 was
due to ITU-R S25.5.

Most of ITU-R S25 has been rewritten at WRC-03 and there is NO
international requirement for all administrations to administer any code
test. The new wording of S25.5 allows each administration to evaluate
the code test retention within that nation.

Keeping the test means that individuals will have a
better knowledge base upon which to choose whether or not to pursue Morse
code to proficient level.

Illogical reasoning. Licensing of radio amateurs in the USA is regulated
by the FCC. It is not regulated by any "ARS community." It is not
regulated by any amateur radio membership organization.

There is absolutely NO radio theory imparted by skill at morse code and
it does not serve any purpose in the FCC's determination of whether or
not an amateur radio license applicant should be granted a license.

No one is required to use Morse code after learning it.

Then there is NO reason to subject all amateur radio license applicants
to any morse code test, is there?

LHA