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From: jhs%Mitre-Bedford@sri-unix.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: No-code: the search for reason  (longish flame)
Message-ID: <1768@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Jul-84 08:18:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.1768
Posted: Mon Jul  9 08:18:00 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Jul-84 01:25:37 EDT
Lines: 45

Right on, Pete.  Andy, I enjoyed your pitch also.  Also the suggested new
exam questions from Mike, K3MC, which however I thought were not sufficiently
demanding if they were intended as a substitute for Morse code proficiency.

I also lament the dearth of "real" hams these days who can wire up fully
synthesized full-duplex quadraphase multiplex SSB transceivers out of parts
from an old discarded telephone handset.  Or even fix their own equipment when
it breaks.

My own reply comments to the FCC, though stressing the emergency
communications value of the code, also allowed as how a code-free license
might not be too bad if it substituted a tough technical examination and if
it restricted operations to the less crowded bands above 220 MHz.

Since the issue is dead at the FCC for now, I submit that it would be
constructive for us all to shift our energies to the task of encouraging
and helping newcomers to the hobby to get past the code requirement.

For example, does anybody out there have a code practice program that will
run on reasonable hardware?  I have one which is in Fortran and runs on a lot
of terminals, using the beeper to generate the sound.  Unfortunately this
VT-100 won't sustain the beep so I can't make it work on this one.  Does
anybody know how to modify the VT-100 so the beep timer will "retrigger"
without a glitch?  Is there a simple timer chip substitution that will do
this?  I haven't looked into it.  The Lear-Siegler ADM-3 worked fine at about
7WPM and the Tektronix graphics terminals would go up to about 20 WPM with
very nice keying quality.  If anybody would like a copy of the program I would
be glad to forward it over the net.  (Please allow a week or two for delivery
as I have to locate the tape and get it read in and maybe fool around with
format problems.)

If there is any interest, I for one could run some code practice on the air
for anybody in the East or Midwest.  Also, for Novices or Techs trying to
upgrade, I would be happy to make skeds for code practice.  I could also be
persuaded to record code practice on tape for anybody who wants to send me a
blank tape (if demand is not too great).

Is anybody else out there willing to help in these ways?  If so, perhaps you
could identify yourself to those who could use your help.  Let's not make
everybody wait 12 years for the FCC to look at the issue again!  Let's
encourage them to go ahead and learn the code!


					73 de W3IKG
					jhs at mitre-bedford