Because the code is still in place, maybe???
It's not 20wpm keeping people from getting on HF, it's the willpower to sit
down and LEARN the code in the first place.
Speed has nothing to do with it.
rb

I don't agree. After the code speed requirement was lowered in the US, a lot of
new upgrades happened, probably more than would have happened if they didn't
lower the speed. Ham radio didn't fall apart as many had predicted.

Also, you have to remember that just because they drop the code, doesn't mean
every ham that doesn't have HF privilages will upgrade, and out of those that
do, how many have the money and space for HF radios and antennas? If anything,
10 meters might show an increase due to the large number of cheap "export"
radios (illegal here in the US though) and the simplicity of a 10m vertical
(little to no tuning required of an 11m CB antenna to get it on 10m and CB
antennas are cheap).

I think you give too little credit to the hams that can't currently talk on HF.
There's been restictions in place to make it hard to get on HF for a long time,
and look at the quality of some of the "old timers" or "REAL" hams talking on
160, 80, 40... An influx of new hams into the HF band might just make it a
little more enjoyable. However, with anything in life, the more people you
involved, the greater the number of idiots you'll encounter. It's just life,
not ham radio.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73! de Andy KC2SSB - WPYI880 (GMRS)
Beachwood, NJ USA! Grid FM29vw
http://vhfradiobuff.tripod.com