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Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
From: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,rec.ham-radio
Subject: Re: morse code
Message-ID: <1689@ke4zv.UUCP>
Date: 20 Dec 90 09:54:31 GMT
References: <1990Dec12.231058.23895@engin.umich.edu> <1990Dec14.012315.7858@zoo.toronto.edu> <1990Dec14.152659.8250@val.com> <1916@Terra.cc.brunel.ac.uk>
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Followup-To: sci.electronics
Organization: Gannett Technologies Group
Lines: 73

In article <1916@Terra.cc.brunel.ac.uk> ccopjss@cc.brunel.ac.uk (John Smith) writes:
>
>There is a point no-one seems to mention, the concept of "filtering
>out the noisy".
>
>Unfortunately it is not one hundred percent successful but it does
>make a lot of difference.
>
>Anyone who has listened to the quality of the conversations on both
>amature radio bands and the so called "citizen"  radio bands have
>noticed the difference in the mentalities involved.
>
>As long as the difficulties of learning Morse code in order to
>get a licence, continues to keep to a minimum the number of the
>ignorant and foul mouthed types allowed to use certain frequencies
>I have no doubt it will be used.
>
>So let us hope that "the powers that be" keep obstacles such as
>the technical exam and the morse code test, for the benefit of those
>who can use radio sensibly.
>
>I do not have an amature radio licence, but I know people who do
>and on the whole they are better than the CB types who dont.
>

The average age of amateur radio operators is 50. The average age of
CB operators is between 20 and 30 (no one knows for sure since licensing
for CB is now nonexistant). The number of CB operators is at least 10
times the number of amateur operators and they are all crowded into 
40 channels. The classic generation gap between the more mannerly oldsters
and the young rowdies is a reflection of social change not differing 
licensing requirements. The huge numbers and the extreme crowding make
the problems heard on CB seem much worse than they are. If you confined
your amateur operations to 14.313 Mhz and certain portions of the 75 meter
band and certain 2 meter repeaters, you would think that amateur radio
was as bad as CB.

We must wake up to the fact that amateur radio inevitably will face the
effects of social change as the older generation dies off and new blood
trickles in whether there is a code test or not. Now that there is not
a code test for one class of license, this trickle may accelerate a bit.
We must prepare to deal with these changes. Fortunately, we still have
a bit of room so the intense crowding that CB suffers won't be a big
factor in making things worse. Also we have the advantage that we out-
number the newcomers and will for some years to come. CB's problems
started with an explosion of new operators who overwhelmed the few early
users. There was no chance to introduce the newcomers to established 
operating practices. We have that chance, if we don't blow it. Things
will change as the demographics and size of the operator pool changes.
We have the opportunity to guide the changes that will inevitably come
to amateur radio, if we are willing to get out and work to do so. Not
all of the changes will be bad. We will either learn new ways ourselves,
or be relegated to the old fossil's corner. Times of change are times of
opportunity if you have an open mind. Only dead things don't change.

As a positive example of what you can do. In your licensing classes,
spend the time you would have taken teaching Morse to prospective
Techs, teaching good operating practice. On the air, welcome the newcomers
and demonstrate by example good operating practice. At your club meetings,
seek out newcomers and welcome them. Invite newcomers to participate in
your activities.

To handle the inevitable troublemakers found in any new barrel of apples,
dust off that DF equipment. Organize a group of turkey hunters. Bring
social pressure to bear against the bad guys. As a last resort, work
through the ARRL monitoring system to aid the FCC in shutting them down.
Become a part of the ARRL monitoring system yourself, make it work.

We have the power to make amateur radio better than it is, if we are willing
to work at it. Sitting on the sidelines gripping and whining won't do the
job.

Gary KE4ZV