Oh Really

Can you find code these days outside the ham band? Does the U.S. Army
Signal Corps have any use for code in 2006? Is there a wire telegraph
system anywhere in the world which uses some version or other of Morse
Code?

As a matter of fact, you can:

http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...morse-code.php
"The main area in which Morse is used today is for radio transmissions.
While the requirement for ships at sea to be able to send Morse code
distress signals ended on 31st January 1999, many other still use Morse.
Some ships still use it as a cheaper option than the satellite
communications systems that are in general use now. Also some armed
forces still use it as a last ditch form of communications."

http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthe...rks/index.html

http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/v...?id=277&bhcp=1
"Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore
satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat,
facsimile, email, tactical international and administrative voice radio,
flashing light (Morse code), flag signalling and semaphore"

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/...s_e.asp?id=240
"* Integral units include:all Canadian warships stationed on the West
Coast; one of the Navy's three Fleet Schools, where sailors learn about
everything from Morse code to high-tech weapon systems; the Naval
Officer Training Centre, known as "Venture," where all naval officers
receive their initial training; and the west coast Fleet Diving Unit,
which, along with a range of services to the Fleet, provides explosives
disposal and diving services to local police forces."

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"TRAINING

Job training for a Signals Intelligence Analyst requires 9 weeks of
Basic Training, where you learn basic Soldiering skills. Then you will
attend Advanced Individual Training that consists of 18 weeks of
classroom training, including practice in operating radio equipment.
Some of the skills you'll learn a

* Use of specialized radio receivers
* Security operations
* Morse code
\
\http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"RADIOMAN (RM)

School Code No. 30

SELECTION QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM TEST SCORES: GCT 50; SPELL 50; CLER 50; RADIO* 55.

PHYSICAL: Hearing in each ear must be 15/15 by whispered voice. Ears
free from disease. Manual dexterity.

PERSONAL: No older than 28, unless experienced in code reception.

MISCELLANEOUS: Hobby as "Ham Operator," if code work included. Knowledge
of typing desirable. H.S. experience desirable.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES: Sends and receives encrypted (codes and ciphers) and
plain-language messages by radio. Receives messages in Morse code
through earphones and records them by typewriter. Transmits with a
telegraph key or microphone. May be required to make simple emergency
repairs to receivers and transmitters. Must be familiar with the parts
of Naval messages, including abbreviations and shortcuts (prosines,
etc.); keeps a radio log. Stands watch in radio "shack".

EQUIPMENT USED: Radio telegraph, radio telephone, direction finder,
typewriter. Radio repair tools, electrician's tools, testing meters.

TYPES OF BILLETS: All ships; radio stations ashore.

I could easily find many many more

People still ride horseback and use boats powered by wind energy. Or
for that matter, strap very expensive sticks to their booted feet and
slide down a snow-covered mountain after paying a small fortune for
"lift tickets". Expending energy and lots of money to go up and down
the same hill over and over in the freezing cold.

By any reasonable measure, these are obsolete methods, and probably not
all that logical.

But that's entirely beside the point.

Ham radio is a hobby, and some people enjoy working CW. More power to
them, and I hope CW continues to be used as long as there are people
interested in using it.

My idea was to retain the CW requirement for the highest class of
license, or as an endorsement to the lower classes of license. The CW
portions would remain restricted to those who hold the endorsements,
and people who care a lot about CW can continue to demonstrate their
proficiency via their callsign class.

And perhaps add more operating practice questions to keep the LIDheit
down.

That said, I truly don't see the logic in demanding proficiency in CW
when the majority of hams probably use voice or (true, computer-based)
digital modes today. Isn't it a little like requiring mastery of
horseback riding to get a license to drive a car? If there's something
wrong with this analogy (and note: horseback riding can be a useful
skill in some circumstances one might find oneself in, just like CW
can. But that fact doesn't justify requiring everyone to learn to ride
horseback in order to get a license to operate a car.)

Just my 0.02. Opinions seem very heated on this topic, but to a degree
it just sounds like people who worked to get their CW endorsement being
bitter that other people can get what they did without going through
the same process. That's understandable, but doesn't really have much
to do with reality or progress, which is that a large number of hams
really aren't all that excited about working CW.






KA6UUP wrote:
Oh Really

Can you find code these days outside the ham band? Does the U.S. Army
Signal Corps have any use for code in 2006? Is there a wire telegraph
system anywhere in the world which uses some version or other of Morse
Code?

As a matter of fact, you can:

http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...morse-code.php
"The main area in which Morse is used today is for radio transmissions.
While the requirement for ships at sea to be able to send Morse code
distress signals ended on 31st January 1999, many other still use Morse.
Some ships still use it as a cheaper option than the satellite
communications systems that are in general use now. Also some armed
forces still use it as a last ditch form of communications."

http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthe...rks/index.html

http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/v...?id=277&bhcp=1
"Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore
satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat,
facsimile, email, tactical international and administrative voice radio,
flashing light (Morse code), flag signalling and semaphore"

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/...s_e.asp?id=240
"* Integral units include:all Canadian warships stationed on the West
Coast; one of the Navy's three Fleet Schools, where sailors learn about
everything from Morse code to high-tech weapon systems; the Naval
Officer Training Centre, known as "Venture," where all naval officers
receive their initial training; and the west coast Fleet Diving Unit,
which, along with a range of services to the Fleet, provides explosives
disposal and diving services to local police forces."

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"TRAINING

Job training for a Signals Intelligence Analyst requires 9 weeks of
Basic Training, where you learn basic Soldiering skills. Then you will
attend Advanced Individual Training that consists of 18 weeks of
classroom training, including practice in operating radio equipment.
Some of the skills you'll learn a

* Use of specialized radio receivers
* Security operations
* Morse code
\
\http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"RADIOMAN (RM)

School Code No. 30

SELECTION QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM TEST SCORES: GCT 50; SPELL 50; CLER 50; RADIO* 55.

PHYSICAL: Hearing in each ear must be 15/15 by whispered voice. Ears
free from disease. Manual dexterity.

PERSONAL: No older than 28, unless experienced in code reception.

MISCELLANEOUS: Hobby as "Ham Operator," if code work included. Knowledge
of typing desirable. H.S. experience desirable.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES: Sends and receives encrypted (codes and ciphers) and
plain-language messages by radio. Receives messages in Morse code
through earphones and records them by typewriter. Transmits with a
telegraph key or microphone. May be required to make simple emergency
repairs to receivers and transmitters. Must be familiar with the parts
of Naval messages, including abbreviations and shortcuts (prosines,
etc.); keeps a radio log. Stands watch in radio "shack".

EQUIPMENT USED: Radio telegraph, radio telephone, direction finder,
typewriter. Radio repair tools, electrician's tools, testing meters.

TYPES OF BILLETS: All ships; radio stations ashore.

I could easily find many many more

wrote:
People still ride horseback and use boats powered by wind energy. Or
for that matter, strap very expensive sticks to their booted feet and
slide down a snow-covered mountain after paying a small fortune for
"lift tickets". Expending energy and lots of money to go up and down
the same hill over and over in the freezing cold.

By any reasonable measure, these are obsolete methods, and probably not
all that logical.

But that's entirely beside the point.

Ham radio is a hobby, and some people enjoy working CW. More power to
them, and I hope CW continues to be used as long as there are people
interested in using it.

My idea was to retain the CW requirement for the highest class of
license, or as an endorsement to the lower classes of license. The CW
portions would remain restricted to those who hold the endorsements,
and people who care a lot about CW can continue to demonstrate their
proficiency via their callsign class.

And perhaps add more operating practice questions to keep the LIDheit
down.

That said, I truly don't see the logic in demanding proficiency in CW
when the majority of hams probably use voice or (true, computer-based)
digital modes today. Isn't it a little like requiring mastery of
horseback riding to get a license to drive a car? If there's something
wrong with this analogy (and note: horseback riding can be a useful
skill in some circumstances one might find oneself in, just like CW
can. But that fact doesn't justify requiring everyone to learn to ride
horseback in order to get a license to operate a car.)

Just my 0.02. Opinions seem very heated on this topic, but to a degree
it just sounds like people who worked to get their CW endorsement being
bitter that other people can get what they did without going through
the same process. That's understandable, but doesn't really have much
to do with reality or progress, which is that a large number of hams
really aren't all that excited about working CW.






KA6UUP wrote:
Oh Really

Can you find code these days outside the ham band? Does the U.S. Army
Signal Corps have any use for code in 2006? Is there a wire telegraph
system anywhere in the world which uses some version or other of Morse
Code?

As a matter of fact, you can:

http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...morse-code.php
"The main area in which Morse is used today is for radio transmissions.
While the requirement for ships at sea to be able to send Morse code
distress signals ended on 31st January 1999, many other still use Morse.
Some ships still use it as a cheaper option than the satellite
communications systems that are in general use now. Also some armed
forces still use it as a last ditch form of communications."

http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthe...rks/index.html

http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/v...?id=277&bhcp=1
"Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore
satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat,
facsimile, email, tactical international and administrative voice radio,
flashing light (Morse code), flag signalling and semaphore"

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/...s_e.asp?id=240
"* Integral units include:all Canadian warships stationed on the West
Coast; one of the Navy's three Fleet Schools, where sailors learn about
everything from Morse code to high-tech weapon systems; the Naval
Officer Training Centre, known as "Venture," where all naval officers
receive their initial training; and the west coast Fleet Diving Unit,
which, along with a range of services to the Fleet, provides explosives
disposal and diving services to local police forces."

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"TRAINING

Job training for a Signals Intelligence Analyst requires 9 weeks of
Basic Training, where you learn basic Soldiering skills. Then you will
attend Advanced Individual Training that consists of 18 weeks of
classroom training, including practice in operating radio equipment.
Some of the skills you'll learn a

* Use of specialized radio receivers
* Security operations
* Morse code
\
\http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"RADIOMAN (RM)

School Code No. 30

SELECTION QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM TEST SCORES: GCT 50; SPELL 50; CLER 50; RADIO* 55.

PHYSICAL: Hearing in each ear must be 15/15 by whispered voice. Ears
free from disease. Manual dexterity.

PERSONAL: No older than 28, unless experienced in code reception.

MISCELLANEOUS: Hobby as "Ham Operator," if code work included. Knowledge
of typing desirable. H.S. experience desirable.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES: Sends and receives encrypted (codes and ciphers) and
plain-language messages by radio. Receives messages in Morse code
through earphones and records them by typewriter. Transmits with a
telegraph key or microphone. May be required to make simple emergency
repairs to receivers and transmitters. Must be familiar with the parts
of Naval messages, including abbreviations and shortcuts (prosines,
etc.); keeps a radio log. Stands watch in radio "shack".

EQUIPMENT USED: Radio telegraph, radio telephone, direction finder,
typewriter. Radio repair tools, electrician's tools, testing meters.

TYPES OF BILLETS: All ships; radio stations ashore.

I could easily find many many more

This reply was to the above quote.
The military is still training and using morse code.
I am really not interested in your opinion

Oh, you're a nasty obnoxious person. Probably a Republic party member
then.

You guys sure got your ASSES handed to you when America repudiated the
Republic party. Took Americans long enough, but they finally figured
out the truth.

You will too. CW is obsolete. Fact.




KA6UUP wrote:
wrote:
People still ride horseback and use boats powered by wind energy. Or
for that matter, strap very expensive sticks to their booted feet and
slide down a snow-covered mountain after paying a small fortune for
"lift tickets". Expending energy and lots of money to go up and down
the same hill over and over in the freezing cold.

By any reasonable measure, these are obsolete methods, and probably not
all that logical.

But that's entirely beside the point.

Ham radio is a hobby, and some people enjoy working CW. More power to
them, and I hope CW continues to be used as long as there are people
interested in using it.

My idea was to retain the CW requirement for the highest class of
license, or as an endorsement to the lower classes of license. The CW
portions would remain restricted to those who hold the endorsements,
and people who care a lot about CW can continue to demonstrate their
proficiency via their callsign class.

And perhaps add more operating practice questions to keep the LIDheit
down.

That said, I truly don't see the logic in demanding proficiency in CW
when the majority of hams probably use voice or (true, computer-based)
digital modes today. Isn't it a little like requiring mastery of
horseback riding to get a license to drive a car? If there's something
wrong with this analogy (and note: horseback riding can be a useful
skill in some circumstances one might find oneself in, just like CW
can. But that fact doesn't justify requiring everyone to learn to ride
horseback in order to get a license to operate a car.)

Just my 0.02. Opinions seem very heated on this topic, but to a degree
it just sounds like people who worked to get their CW endorsement being
bitter that other people can get what they did without going through
the same process. That's understandable, but doesn't really have much
to do with reality or progress, which is that a large number of hams
really aren't all that excited about working CW.






KA6UUP wrote:
Oh Really

Can you find code these days outside the ham band? Does the U.S. Army
Signal Corps have any use for code in 2006? Is there a wire telegraph
system anywhere in the world which uses some version or other of Morse
Code?

As a matter of fact, you can:

http://www.radio-electronics.com/inf...morse-code.php
"The main area in which Morse is used today is for radio transmissions.
While the requirement for ships at sea to be able to send Morse code
distress signals ended on 31st January 1999, many other still use Morse.
Some ships still use it as a cheaper option than the satellite
communications systems that are in general use now. Also some armed
forces still use it as a last ditch form of communications."

http://www.astrosol.ch/networksofthe...rks/index.html

http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca/v...?id=277&bhcp=1
"Communicate inter-ship by ship/shore radio teletype, ship/shore
satellite, voice and radio teletype, video conferencing, chat,
facsimile, email, tactical international and administrative voice radio,
flashing light (Morse code), flag signalling and semaphore"

http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/...s_e.asp?id=240
"* Integral units include:all Canadian warships stationed on the West
Coast; one of the Navy's three Fleet Schools, where sailors learn about
everything from Morse code to high-tech weapon systems; the Naval
Officer Training Centre, known as "Venture," where all naval officers
receive their initial training; and the west coast Fleet Diving Unit,
which, along with a range of services to the Fleet, provides explosives
disposal and diving services to local police forces."

http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"TRAINING

Job training for a Signals Intelligence Analyst requires 9 weeks of
Basic Training, where you learn basic Soldiering skills. Then you will
attend Advanced Individual Training that consists of 18 weeks of
classroom training, including practice in operating radio equipment.
Some of the skills you'll learn a

* Use of specialized radio receivers
* Security operations
* Morse code
\
\http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=174
"RADIOMAN (RM)

School Code No. 30

SELECTION QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM TEST SCORES: GCT 50; SPELL 50; CLER 50; RADIO* 55.

PHYSICAL: Hearing in each ear must be 15/15 by whispered voice. Ears
free from disease. Manual dexterity.

PERSONAL: No older than 28, unless experienced in code reception.

MISCELLANEOUS: Hobby as "Ham Operator," if code work included. Knowledge
of typing desirable. H.S. experience desirable.

JOB DESCRIPTION

DUTIES: Sends and receives encrypted (codes and ciphers) and
plain-language messages by radio. Receives messages in Morse code
through earphones and records them by typewriter. Transmits with a
telegraph key or microphone. May be required to make simple emergency
repairs to receivers and transmitters. Must be familiar with the parts
of Naval messages, including abbreviations and shortcuts (prosines,
etc.); keeps a radio log. Stands watch in radio "shack".

EQUIPMENT USED: Radio telegraph, radio telephone, direction finder,
typewriter. Radio repair tools, electrician's tools, testing meters.

TYPES OF BILLETS: All ships; radio stations ashore.

I could easily find many many more

This reply was to the above quote.
The military is still training and using morse code.
I am really not interested in your opinion