In article , Radio Amateur KC2HMZ
writes:

Dwight:

Well, I'm glad I finally got your attention directed toward reality. If the
Morse code isn't relevant to any communications service outside the
ARS, then the fact that the commercial and military services have
stopped using it isn't relevant or responsive to the issue of code testing
withing the ARS.

Sure it is. Part of the basis and purpose of the ARS as specified in
Part 97 is to develop a pool of trained radio operators. Since nobody
else uses CW anymore, it is no longer necessary to develop pools of
Morse-trained radio operators.

Did you see that everybody? "...nobody uses CW anymore." Yup,
he REALLY said that!

Do me a favor, John, and tell that to K2RSK next time you see him!

The Morse/CW mode remains as a valuable, basic communications
tool within the ARS, and the code testing requirement is current and
essential to the continued use of this mode. End of story.

Hmmm...

Valuable? In some respects, perhaps. It does have its advantages,
although it also has its disadvantages.

Whaaaaat? I thought you just said "...nobody uses CW anymore."
Well, anyway, please enumerate all the "disadvantages" of the
Morse/CW mode.

Basic? I'm not too sure of that. It was once upon a time. I'm inclined
to think that time is either passed, or very close to it. I don't know
what percentage of hams is sufficiently skilled with the mode to
actually use it for on-air contacts, but surely the percentage must be
shrinking daily.

And just exactly what do you think is causing that, John?

As for the code testing requirement being essential to the continued
use of the mode - if that's the case, then the patient is already
brain dead and being kept alive through purely artificial means, and
will expire anyway as soon as somebody pulls the plug, either
accidentally or deliberately. The question then becomes, for how long
do we prolong the inevitable, and for what purpose?

I'm not suggesting that we pull the plug. I'm suggesting that we use
a well-known cure and allow the patient to recover.

73 de Larry, K3LT