Mike Coslo wrote:


I'm firmly convinced that many of the people that think of Element 1 as
the "great barrier" will be dismayed when they find out that there are
other barriers to Amateur radio.

"I tried but I'm just not able to learn the code." I heard it in the
1950's and I still hear it today. The global-standard copout which
probably goes back to 1912.

Putting together a station is probably
harder for most people than learning Morse code. Putting together a
*good* station is definitely so.

Agreed. The upcoming wave of nocode Extras and Generals will have to
face and resolve the same age-old problems us 20wpm OFs have faced for
decades when it comes to put up or shut up time as it relates to
actually operating in the HF bands. Like being able to spend the money
it takes to acquire decent HF equipment, having the ingenuity and
knowledge needed to home-brew decent antennas for constricted spaces
for instance, ditto solving QRN and RFI problems, etc. Those have
always been far bigger HF show-stoppers than the code tests ever were
and will continue to be so.

Those who want to get on HF badly enough will by one means or another.
Those who can't be bothered with learning the code, spending the money,
doing the learning and the physical work required to get on HF won't
get on HF. In some huge percentage of cases those in this category are
the same bunch who have been eagerly waiting for the code test
"barrier" to completely disappear so that they can upgrade to HF
tickets.

I expect that after the smoke and flames die down there won't be any
noticeable differences in the HF bands between now and 2010 as result
of eliminating the code tests. Which is where the rubber actually hits
the road.

- Mike KB3EIA -

w3rv