"Dee D. Flint" wrote in
gy.com:


"N2EY" wrote in message
...
In article .net,
"KØHB" writes:

"Dee D. Flint" wrote

And it has the unique characteristic that
you can't take advantage of it until you have acquired a basic
skill level.

Unique? What's unique about Morse in that regard. There is no mode
which you can use without some basic skill level in that mode.

What's unique is that most people old enough to pass the amateur radio
license exams do not already have Morse skills, and will have to learn
Morse skills in order to use the mode. But the vast majority of those
same people already posess the skills to use other modes.

So what it comes down to is that a little serious skill-learning is
required to use Morse on the air, except for a very few people who
have learned Morse elsewhere. I think that plain, simple fact bothers
some of the most vociferous and abusive anti-code-test folks.

73 de Jim, N2EY

Excellent summary there, Jim. I think that is what many of us are
trying to say but not finding the right words.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE



What is annoying is that a skill test is foisted on those who don't have
the desire to use the skill. Learning the theory of modes you don't want
to use is not too onerous, but having to pass a typing test to use phone
would be just as annoying and stupid as having to pass a code test to use
phone, for example. Besides, having to know about other modes is
reasonable, but actually learning to use them is another matter. Also, if
I hear CW on my frequency I may be able to read it with some difficulty,
but if I hear RTTY or PSK31 there is no chance.