On 16 Jul 2006 18:51:21 +0200, "Alun L. Palmer"
wrote:

More to the point is I can't magine a scenario in which CW would be the
only mode available

A transmitter with no mic, no computer - just a transmit switch. Or
not even a transmit switch, but you can get to one of the battery
wires. Far fetched, but it could happen.

and that hams are about the only remaining users of CW.

Boy Scouts? The military no longer uses CW - what used to be passed
by brass pounders is now passed digitally. Merchant Marine? Same
thing. Aero commo? Same thing, except for voice. I doubt any group
or service actually uses it these days.