Kim wrote:
BUT, Bert, you are among those who do recognize that--for some--other
than
the public service role of amateur radio, the only reward they gain
is just
a real simple, real down-home QSO via phone. That's the pleasure of
amateur
radio; the many various ways in which people enjoy it.

Kim W5TIT


"Bert Craig" wrote in message
...
"Barry OGrady" wrote in message
...
Morse gone by the beginning of last year.

Barry

Sad that many folks will likely never give themselves the
opportunity to
bag
some of that rare DX that seems to only show up on the bottom of
the
bands.

Just bagged HZ1EX on 7013 kHz. 99.999% CW op and luvin' it.

--
Vy 73 de Bert
WA2SI
FISTS #9384/CC #1736
QRP ARCI #11782



Hi Kim,

I'm not sure how I missed this. I guess it's because I rarely check
USENET anymore, I'm mostly OTA in my spare time. (Which, sadly,
isn't much.)

I do agree that there are a multitude of ways folks can enjoy AR. I
also believe that the code "impediment" was removed in 1991 (?)
when the No-code Technician class license was created, thus negating
the infamous "barrier" argument. Some have said that this is
insufficient without HF privies. From a relative newbie's
perspective, this is kinda shameless. (I really don't mean to sound
inflammatory, but...)

I suppose I'm "old school" but I think privileges are just that,
privileges and not rights. I consider it a privilege to be able to
access part of the HF spectrum where calls like 3D2NA (Fiji Isles) or
3Z1IARU (Sp. IARU commemorative station) literally "emerge from the
ethers," work 'em and subsequently receive their QSL card. Is that
for everybody, I suppose not. Many of these calls are not so prevalent
on phone though.

I also believe it was a very good thing that the No-code Tech ticket
opened AR to many who weren't quite ready to commit themselves to
learning the Morse code. However, to ask that all three license classes
be made "No-code" is somewhat akin to being given a nice juicy
hamburger and then demanding that it be steak, hence kinda shameless.

My original statement stands. There are lots of folks that could be
enjoying some serious DX who don't even know how much they'd enjoy
it if they would simply focus their energies on rote memorizing 43
sounds rather than complaining about how unfair the code test
requirement is.

Anyway, I don't believe it was ever really about the code test. Drop
Element 1 completely AND do away with the published Q&A pools, THEN
brace for some serious bellyaching. I think the FCC will recognize that
too many present licensees support the retention of Element 1 to drop
it completely. Look for it to remain for the Extra class ticket.

My $0.02. :-)

Vy 73 de Bert
WA2SI
FISTS #9384/CC #1736
QRP ARCI #11782