Perhaps what bothers some people the most about the code test
is that it isn't something most people already know. And it
isn't something that can be learned by reading a book, watching
a video, etc. It's a skill, not "book learning".

That makes it a real PITA to people who are good at book
learnin' and not so hot at motor skills.

In learning the code, a Ph.D in EE has to start at the same place
as a grade-schooler. And the grade schooler may learn faster and
do better! Perhaps it is this characteristic of the test - its
ability to act as a Great Equalizer - that causes some to resent
it so much.


That makes ham radio that much harder to "sell" to the
PhDs and such people. Code is something that can be
outperformed by various signaling and signal processing
methods (JPL doesn't use Morse code to communicate with
their deep space probes). Sure, Morse code requires a
bare minimum of technology, but today technology is
cheap and reliable. Not like 50 years ago with vacuum
tubes. No other radio service uses Morse code for
anything beyond some automatic IDers. So why require it
anymore.