Leo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:37:30 GMT, "K=D8HB"
wrote:

An interesting announcement! Here in Canada, Morse Code is now an alte=
rnative method of qualifying for HF privileges.

In other words - Morse survived!

Morse Code *testing* survived - it's just not mandatory anymore in
Canada.

IIRC, this was exactly what the commentary on the proposal supported.

A couple of the other requests from the Amateur community
via the
RAC proposal) were granted as well - increasing the pass
marks on the
exams to 70% from 60%, and the addition of commercial
kit-building
privileges for Basic license holders.

Not bad - now there's a regulatory agency that listens. Well
done, Industry Canada!

I agree 100%!

They found a way to give everyone some of what they wanted.
They listened to what the majority of those expressing an
opinion supported, and acted on it. They produced a set of
regulations designed to reconcile or at least minimize
polarization, rather than increase it.

What concepts, eh? ;-)

Perhaps we in the USA should suggest such a system to FCC....



73 de Jim, N2EY

N2EY:

Perhaps introduce testing for "African Message Drum" also, bet some of those
guys could pound out a little ditty and have it carry a message to! Maybe
chant a little rap with it too!

Some testing in the care maintenance of carrier pigeons might be in order to,
for the guys who wanted real DX!

John

wrote in message
ups.com...
Leo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:37:30 GMT, "KØHB"
wrote:

An interesting announcement! Here in Canada, Morse Code is now an
alternative method of qualifying for HF privileges.

In other words - Morse survived!

Morse Code *testing* survived - it's just not mandatory anymore in
Canada.

IIRC, this was exactly what the commentary on the proposal supported.

A couple of the other requests from the Amateur community
via the
RAC proposal) were granted as well - increasing the pass
marks on the
exams to 70% from 60%, and the addition of commercial
kit-building
privileges for Basic license holders.

Not bad - now there's a regulatory agency that listens. Well
done, Industry Canada!

I agree 100%!

They found a way to give everyone some of what they wanted.
They listened to what the majority of those expressing an
opinion supported, and acted on it. They produced a set of
regulations designed to reconcile or at least minimize
polarization, rather than increase it.

What concepts, eh? ;-)

Perhaps we in the USA should suggest such a system to FCC....



73 de Jim, N2EY

From: "John Smith" on Sat 30 Jul 2005 08:39

N2EY:

Perhaps introduce testing for "African Message Drum" also, bet some of those
guys could pound out a little ditty and have it carry a message to! Maybe
chant a little rap with it too!

Sounds good! Message Drums were in use long before morse and
telegraphy...very TRADITIONAL. The first use of "comm nets"
with "message relays" too!

Problem is, USA ham radio is basically done by WHITE MALES so
it wouldn't go over big. Dunno about Canadian demographics
but British Columbia is largely white...

Some testing in the care maintenance of carrier pigeons might be in order to,
for the guys who wanted real DX!

Har! The United States Army Signal Corps actually had a
Carrier Pigeon Service...trainers, handlers, mobile coops,
the whole magilla. Came into being before WW 1 but was
disbanded afterwards. Sounded like a good idea at the time,
faster than a land courier, minimal handling, no electricity
needed (bird poop is safer than RF burns). That time might
have been the start of the phrase "eat the bird," though.
Anyone on WW 1 field rations might look at pigeons with a
hungry eye. "DX" wasn't so hot and "propagation" effects
weren't good using "pigeon code."

I like the Message Drum idea, though! Sounds like a plan...

bat tat

On 30 Jul 2005 14:17:19 -0700, wrote:

Problem is, USA ham radio is basically done by WHITE MALES so
it wouldn't go over big. Dunno about Canadian demographics
but British Columbia is largely white...

I know in Edmonton, Alberta there is at least one Chinese male and a
fairly active group of Philipino's. Also some women. But yes
predominantly in Edmonton I'd say at least 80% are white male.

I do not recall seeing any folks at the meetings who were black or
East Indian. In the Edmonton demographics there aren't many blacks
but there are a fair number of East Indians.

BTW there are a considerably number of hams in their 20s and 30s.
I'd say a third or so of the executive of the larger organizations is
in that age bracket.

Tony

Tony:

Tune in the chicken band, channel 6--27.025 when the DX band conditions are up
on 11 meters (skip), just think how it will be when those
multi-kilowatt-ebonic-speaking-brothers get their tickets!!!

My gawd, diversity--don't ya just love it?

John

"Tony VE6MVP" wrote in message
...
On 30 Jul 2005 14:17:19 -0700, wrote:

Problem is, USA ham radio is basically done by WHITE MALES so
it wouldn't go over big. Dunno about Canadian demographics
but British Columbia is largely white...

I know in Edmonton, Alberta there is at least one Chinese male and a
fairly active group of Philipino's. Also some women. But yes
predominantly in Edmonton I'd say at least 80% are white male.

I do not recall seeing any folks at the meetings who were black or
East Indian. In the Edmonton demographics there aren't many blacks
but there are a fair number of East Indians.

BTW there are a considerably number of hams in their 20s and 30s.
I'd say a third or so of the executive of the larger organizations is
in that age bracket.

Tony

"John Smith" wrote in
:

N2EY:

Perhaps introduce testing for "African Message Drum" also, bet some of
those guys could pound out a little ditty and have it carry a message
to! Maybe chant a little rap with it too!

Some testing in the care maintenance of carrier pigeons might be in
order to, for the guys who wanted real DX!

John

wrote in message
ups.com...
Leo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:37:30 GMT, "KØHB"
wrote:

An interesting announcement! Here in Canada, Morse Code is now an
alternative method of qualifying for HF privileges.

In other words - Morse survived!

Morse Code *testing* survived - it's just not mandatory anymore in
Canada.

IIRC, this was exactly what the commentary on the proposal supported.

A couple of the other requests from the Amateur community
via the
RAC proposal) were granted as well - increasing the pass
marks on the
exams to 70% from 60%, and the addition of commercial kit-building
privileges for Basic license holders.

Not bad - now there's a regulatory agency that listens. Well done,
Industry Canada!

I agree 100%!

They found a way to give everyone some of what they wanted.
They listened to what the majority of those expressing an
opinion supported, and acted on it. They produced a set of
regulations designed to reconcile or at least minimize
polarization, rather than increase it.

What concepts, eh? ;-)

Perhaps we in the USA should suggest such a system to FCC....



73 de Jim, N2EY




It's a little late, isn't it Jim?

I find it interesting that South Africa was the first one to propose such a
system, but I don't think the ZAs adopted it in the end. I have no trouble
in principle with an alternative theory/code system, but how would you do
it? Maybe Elements 2 and 3 + 20 wpm or elements 2, 3 and 4 to get full
privileges?

It's all moot now anyway. We all know the NPRM will become the R&O.

There is one loose end, though. I read the NPRM to say that Tech+ would
become closed, so that all new Techs would have to get element 3 to get on
HF, but others have read it that all Techs would get Tech+ privileges. Does
anyone know which is right?

My XYL (N3MKR) is a no-code Tech, but she will be taking element 3 anyway.
Her object is to get a UK licence. As she is not a US citizen (neither am
I), the only way for her to do that short of taking the UK tests is to get
her General, which would entitle her to a UK Full licence. She isn't
prepared to learn code to do it, but then neither is she in the least
interested in getting on HF, or anything besides 2m FM as a matter of fact.

I reckon she could take her element 3 now (or could if she had studied,
LOL!), as it shouldn't have expired by the time the R&O comes out.
Hopefully, by the time she got her General the free lifetime licences
should have been introduced in the UK, which would work out very nicely.

I have reverted to my original no-code call for the UK, as it is now a Full
licence. For a while I held an 'A' call, G0VUK, obtained on the basis of my
US Advanced as then was. Over there calls can only be re-issued to an
immediate family member or to a club, and only with the licencee's
permission (or next of kin). So, just for a laugh, I could let her have my
A call while I now have a B (no-code) call, although I have passed 20wpm CW
and she can't read code atall! That should wind up a few people.

73 de Alun, G8VUK, N3KIP

"Alun L. Palmer" wrote in message
.. .
"John Smith" wrote in
:

N2EY:

Perhaps introduce testing for "African Message Drum" also, bet some of
those guys could pound out a little ditty and have it carry a message
to! Maybe chant a little rap with it too!

Some testing in the care maintenance of carrier pigeons might be in
order to, for the guys who wanted real DX!

John

wrote in message
ups.com...
Leo wrote:
On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 19:37:30 GMT, "KØHB"
wrote:

An interesting announcement! Here in Canada, Morse Code is now an
alternative method of qualifying for HF privileges.

In other words - Morse survived!

Morse Code *testing* survived - it's just not mandatory anymore in
Canada.

IIRC, this was exactly what the commentary on the proposal supported.

A couple of the other requests from the Amateur community
via the
RAC proposal) were granted as well - increasing the pass
marks on the
exams to 70% from 60%, and the addition of commercial kit-building
privileges for Basic license holders.

Not bad - now there's a regulatory agency that listens. Well done,
Industry Canada!

I agree 100%!

They found a way to give everyone some of what they wanted.
They listened to what the majority of those expressing an
opinion supported, and acted on it. They produced a set of
regulations designed to reconcile or at least minimize
polarization, rather than increase it.

What concepts, eh? ;-)

Perhaps we in the USA should suggest such a system to FCC....



73 de Jim, N2EY




It's a little late, isn't it Jim?

I find it interesting that South Africa was the first one to propose such
a
system, but I don't think the ZAs adopted it in the end. I have no trouble
in principle with an alternative theory/code system, but how would you do
it? Maybe Elements 2 and 3 + 20 wpm or elements 2, 3 and 4 to get full
privileges?

It's all moot now anyway. We all know the NPRM will become the R&O.

There is one loose end, though. I read the NPRM to say that Tech+ would
become closed, so that all new Techs would have to get element 3 to get
on
HF, but others have read it that all Techs would get Tech+ privileges.
Does
anyone know which is right?


At first reading the text is confusing. However after going over it several
times, the FCC does explicitly state that Techs will have to take the simple
General exam to get HF privileges. They state that since the test is
simple, it is unwarrented to give Techs HF privileges.

Also on eHam, one of the posters states that he has called the FCC and
gotten clarification that it is indeed their intent to require Techs to
upgrade to get additional privileges. However I haven't confirmed if the
poster has or has not called.

The best thing to do would be to read it yourself several times through (it
is a bit confusing at first).

My XYL (N3MKR) is a no-code Tech, but she will be taking element 3 anyway.
Her object is to get a UK licence. As she is not a US citizen (neither am
I), the only way for her to do that short of taking the UK tests is to get
her General, which would entitle her to a UK Full licence. She isn't
prepared to learn code to do it, but then neither is she in the least
interested in getting on HF, or anything besides 2m FM as a matter of
fact.


Ok, this is confusing. If she isn't interested in anything besides 2m FM,
why is she upgrading and why is she interested in a full UK license since
you are now residents of the US. Not that there's anything wrong with this
but it doesn't make sense.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Alun L. Palmer wrote:
"John Smith" wrote in
break
There is one loose end, though. I read the NPRM to say that Tech+ would
become closed, so that all new Techs would have to get element 3 to get on
HF, but others have read it that all Techs would get Tech+ privileges. Does
anyone know which is right?

I read it as techs all tech end up with what amounts to what was once
called tech plus,

but anyone that claims to know what the result is likely to prove
themselves a lair

"an old friend" wrote


but anyone that claims to know what the result is likely to prove
themselves a lair


"Lair". Maybe you meant "a liar"?

In any case, more likely just "mistaken in their understanding of the proposed
rule".

73, de Hans, K0HB
~~~
We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is put by different
people, we read the poetry; we meditate over the literature; we play
the music; we change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society
evolves this way, not by shouting each other down, but by the unique
capacity of unique, individual human beings to comprehend each other.
--Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail (1979)
~~~

KXHB:

Interesting, not even a great speelcheeker would have caught lair and liar
error...

John

"KXHB" wrote in message
.net...

"an old friend" wrote


but anyone that claims to know what the result is likely to prove
themselves a lair


"Lair". Maybe you meant "a liar"?

In any case, more likely just "mistaken in their understanding of the
proposed rule".

73, de Hans, K0HB
~~~
We pass the word around; we ponder how the case is put by different
people, we read the poetry; we meditate over the literature; we play
the music; we change our minds; we reach an understanding. Society
evolves this way, not by shouting each other down, but by the unique
capacity of unique, individual human beings to comprehend each other.
--Lewis Thomas, The Medusa and the Snail (1979)
~~~