The need for CW has been waining for many years now and technology has
eliminated a need for it. Why do we still need CW? How many Hams still
use CW? I think technical knowledge far outweighs the CW requirement.
If it's eliminated, more people will PROBABLY take the test, however,
you must also understand that it takes a lot of money to set up a proper
station, and an operator that's devoted to the hobby. I don't think you
will see a lot of folks running out purchasing $1000 Yaesu's and
Kenwoods to get on the air if CW is eliminated. The FCC eliminated the
requirement for a fricken CB license (KABE 1356) long ago and you sure
don't see folks yapping away on CB's. They have cell phones now to
communicate and GPS' to know where they are going. I have a couple
GMRS/FRS radios and even paid the $80 FCC license fee. I believe in
being legal. It doesn't pay to get caught and fined.

Therefore, if CW is eliminated, I do not think it will harm Ham Radio
one bit. Things change with time. There won't even be an exam to talk
on Ham frequencies in the future either. You young folks may see that
happen. The cost of equipment will keep those that only want to screw
around away from the hobby, believe me. Cost is one of the reasons I
haven't got a ticket. I had a good friend of mine that had a Technician
Class license (WB7RFL Tom Buckner, deceased) that was willing to teach
me what I needed to know. However, the sheer cost of equipment kept me
out of it. Anyone looking for a couple Cobra CB's? One is SSB.

Besides, what are all of you Ham operators afraid of? Sure you had to
take the CW test and passed. Like I said, things change with time. Take
a young person interested in the hobby and teach them the proper way to
operate and pass the exam. QRT.