"Dwight Stewart" wrote in message thlink.net...
"N2EY" wrote:
"Dwight Stewart" writes:

Considering the power levels, the number
of frequencies and bands, the overall
safety considerations, (snip)

You're avoiding my question, Dwight.


No, you just don't like the answer given.

Would you accept "it's obvious" as an answer to "why a code test"?

Didn't think so.

If anything, I'm ignoring a
fanciful, long-winded, exchange that cannot add anything of real substance
to the discussion about Morse code testing (see below).

Since you keep asking this, do you
have a point to make, Jim?

Yes.

The point is that some folks apply a double
standard when deciding which tests to keep
and which to get rid of.


The only double standard that exists is not having the same testing for
all operating modes.
Unless there is a justification to do otherwise, either
have skill testing for all modes or no skill testing for any mode.

I disagree. Would you have skill testing for modes that few hams use,
like EME or TV, on an equal par with those that are widely used, like
voice and Morse?

There is
no longer any justification today for a unique test solely for Morse code.

I disagree. YMMV.

In the end, it's simply an opinion question.

That opinion is consistent with recent FCC published statements.

Does that mean FCC is always right?

Was FCC right when they required 20 wpm for full privs and no waivers?

As such,
the unique Morse code test should be eliminated.

And perhaps it will be - someday.

Not willing to accept that, you ignore the obvious double standard and
instead try conjure up an imaginary double standard relating to the written
tests.

Nope.

I simply point out that the same arguments used against the code test
can be used against most of the written tests.

But most people support the written tests as they are for opinion
reasons, nothing more.

No such double standard exists. Those written tests, and their
contents, serve a valid purpose today.


What valid purpose do the General and Extra written tests serve? Why
is *all* of their content necessary to operate HF beyond the small
sample of privileges granted to Novices and Tech Pluses?

None here, including you, have said
otherwise.

I've simply used the same arguments against them as are used against
the code test.

The same cannot be said about the Morse code test.

Sure it can. I've done it.

With all that in mind, I have no desire to engage in a fanciful discussion
about the contents of the written tests, especially when that discussion
cannot possibly lead to a valid point - no conflict or double standard
exists concerning the written tests. As such, I've ignored the rest of your
message and have instead addressed the specific point you've acknowledged
trying to make.

You choose to ignore it because you don't have a definitive
counterargument. You cannot prove that most of the content of the
writtens, particularly the General and Extra writtens, are
*necessary*.

IOW, you know that if the same criteria of "is it necessary?" were
applied to most of the written questions, the answer would be the same
as you get for the code test.


73 de Jim, N2EY