From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!CAD:teklabs!edr
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Title: CODE FREE
Article-I.D.: teklabs.1583
Posted: Fri Dec  3 11:29:57 1982
Received: Sun Dec  5 07:33:10 1982

	Thank you Phil - KA9Q/2.  I too support the concept of a code free
license for people interested in "exotic" communications techniques if
they are required to show a technical proficiency in this area above and
beyond the regualr Ham requirements and they were restricted to 220 Mhz
and above.  In fact I would like to see the regular ham exams updated
and expanded.
	The argument that knowledge of code has saved many people's lives
is to a certain extent an emotional one since in most cases the
mechanism of communication was not ham radio.  In that case all citizens
should know the code and even more lives would be saved.  We could make
it a requirement that you must be able to receive 10 WPM in order to get a
Social Security number.
	Yes 5 WPM is easy.  It only took me 1/2 hour per night for three
weeks to send and copy 7 WPM ( thank you W1AW ), but I know friends of mine
who, for various reasons, wound up taking over a year to get the proficiency
neccessary for a tech license - ARGHHH.  It's all rather meaningless if all
they are interested in is computer communications, packet radio and
electronic mail.

	Flame over, please also enter my name in to the net call book.

Respectfully yours,	Ed Reuss KC7AK	teklabs!edr
			Computer Research Group, Tek Labs
			Tektronix Inc.
			PO Box 500  MS 50-384
			Beaverton, Or. 97077