In article et, "Dwight
Stewart" writes:

"Bert Craig" wrote:

(snip) The fact is that Morse code IS
the second most popular mode in use
in the ARS today. IMHO, that in itself
is sufficient justification. (snip)

And, in my humble opinion, it is not sufficient justification - no more
than the fact that vacuum tubes or circular analog tuning dials were once
popular justifies a requirement that they continue to be used.

There were never any test questions on circular analog tuning dials AFAIK.
There used to be lots of test questions on tubes but they are almost all gone
now - because most hams' rigs don't use tubes any more.

But the use of Morse Code in amateur radio is very popular. It's a big part
of *today's* amateur radio, not just its past.

There are far more hams on the air today using Morse Code than hams
using homebrew ham rigs. Yet we still test for theory knowledge even though
most hams won't ever need to use most of it.

Clearly,
unless there is a valid reason otherwise, anyone should be free to use those
if he or she wants, but there should be no government regulation mandating
that. The same with Morse code.

Yet in order to get a ham license today, one must pass written tests
containing many questions on solid-state electronics - even though
there is no requirement to use that technology. A ham who wants to
get on HF in the non-General parts of the bands using only vacuum-
tube equipment still has to pass 3 tests full of questions on solid-state
technologies, even though there is no mandate that s/he use those
technologies.

Remember, we're talking about the 5-wpm
test, NOT 13 0r 20.

If a person has no interest in code, the speed certainly isn't going to
change that.

Apply that same logic to the written test...

(snip) Yes, I would very much "like to
continue mandating a skill test for a mode
that is all but gone from the world of
radio communications EXCEPT WITHIN
AMATEUR USE." Thats because it's a
skill test for upgrading within, not entry
into, the ARS (snip)

The Amateur Radio Service does not exist in a vacuum, Bert. The FCC
recently said "the emphasis on Morse code proficiency as a licensing
requirement does not comport with the basis and purpose of the service."

The FCC also said that BPL was a step toward "broadband Nirvana". Heck, a
*commissioner* said that...

They came to that conclusion after looking at modern communications systems
outside Amateur Radio and the changes that have occurred in communications
over the last fifty years.

Sure. Did anyone think they would contradict themselves?


They noted that "no communication system has been
designed in many years that depends on hand-keyed telegraphy or the ability
to receive messages in Morse code by ear."

Has any communication system been designed in many years that depends
on *any* special radio operator skills?

And they said reducing the
emphasis on telegraphy proficiency as a licensing requirement would "allow
the amateur service to, as it has in the past, attract technically inclined
persons, particularly the youth of our country, and encourage them to learn
and to prepare themselves in the areas where the United States needs
expertise."

But that hasn't happened. Didn't happen after 1991, nor again after 2000.

You mean the second most popular mode
in use today doesn't rate as a valid test
requirement determinator. (snip)

If you're going to argue that to justify a test requirement for the second
most popular mode, why not argue the same for the third, forth, or even
fifth, most popular modes?

Because none of those modes require learning specific new skills.

By the way, where did you get the idea that CW was the second most popular
mode? I agree that SSB is probably the most popular. But, given the sheer
numbers of Technicians today and the fact that not all others use CW on a
regular basis, certainly far more people use FM than CW today.

On amateur HF/MF, it's the second most popular mode. And a code test is only
needed
for amateur HF/MF.

73 de Jim, N2EY