In article t, robert casey
writes:

That's the first thing YOU have gotten right, Lennie.

Just get the damm license, you seem to know enough
to get it without much study, Len.

Tsk. It hasn't been my intention to "get a damn license." :-)

I can't see such a personal identification as applying to my
advocacy to remove the morse code test from any test.
The subject of morse code testing should stand by itself,
without all the hoopla over test-passing.

The reality of the radio world is that morse code mode is
either dead or dying or was never born in every other radio
service but amateur radio hobby activity. Even then, morse
code is used only by a minority of those licensed as radio
amateurs.

The attempt to "justify" (realistic word is rationalize) the
morse code test is specious. It serves no real purpose to
anyone desiring an amateur radio license...other than to act
as an "initiation rite" that is kept only because so many others
in the past were required to take that test. The federal
government is NOT obliged to maintain fraternal order
initiation rites. That is something for membership groups,
not something for anything codified into law as regulations.

The argument maintenance of the long-timers boils down to
(via brainwashing by even longer-timers) them having to take
the morse test, therefore all others have to take it also. That
would be valid only if the ARS were an Amateur Radiotelegraphy
Service. It is not.

The morse code test in test element 1 is considered by the FCC
as inapplicable to their need to determine the licensing
qualification of amateur radio license applicants. It remains
(apparently) under pressure by the long-timers and the ARRL
(not the oldest radio club) keeping it in regulations...because
they all feel that it is "necessary" (they had to take a morse
test, therefore all others have to).

Some morse code devotees consider the test necessary to
"preserve and protect" manual telegraphy skills. The FCC is
not chartered as either a historic preservation agency nor as an
academic one. Its lawful activity is simply to regulate ALL U.S.
civil radio.

Unless there has been some covert activity to circumvent the
Constitution of the United States, all U.S. citizens have the right
to "petition their government with their grievances." In smaller
words that means they can comment to any agency of the
government about any laws or regulations made by that government.
"Membership" in any particular agency's activity is NOT required.

Apparently, some in here seem to think that ONLY licensed radio
amateurs "should" comment on amateur regulations or that any
who so comment are "wishing to get a license." I do not so "wish."
That is NOT a "requirement" nor is there any "motivation" to do so.
The elimination of the morse code test is simply long overdue and
should be done for the benefit of ALL citizens, not some aging
fraternity boys wanting to keep an initiation rite forced upon others
for no reason but their own personal desires. Those individuals
are NOT a regulatory agency at all despite their implications.

The elimination OR the retention of morse code testing can be
discussed on its own merits, not the "accomplishments" of a few
who cannot justify their side of the discussion.

You would do better to copy the methods of others and attempt
defamation of the person of those wishing to eliminate the code test.
That IS the way of those PCTA extras found in here.



Posted on 17 Jan 05