Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site ky2d-2.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!mtuxo!mtunh!ky2d-2!k2sk
From: k2sk@ky2d-2.UUCP (Bob)
Newsgroups: net.ham-radio
Subject: Re: current crrl proposal
Message-ID: <67@ky2d-2.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 30-Nov-85 23:38:44 EST
Article-I.D.: ky2d-2.67
Posted: Sat Nov 30 23:38:44 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 3-Dec-85 08:03:30 EST
References: <36@ttidcc.UUCP>
Organization: KY2D-2 Packet Radio Gateway, Little Silver, NJ
Lines: 70

> < munch! gobble! chomp! chew! Why don't "THEY" fix this bug? >
>  As an individual who is about to take the 5 wpm test and become a Novice
> for the 1st time I am (understandably) interested in the tone of this
> proposed license change and concerned about it's possible effect on the
> format of Amateur licenses here in the US. It has long been proposed that
> the FCC restructure the licenses so as to permit the operation of radio
> equipment by individuals without Morse communications skills. The typical
> hue and cry from the ARRL and the 'ranks has been; "What? then it'll be
> just like CB radio out here! NO WAY!" ... this was what made me learn the
> code. I've resigned myself to the fact that there is but one way to have
> that ticket! As an aside, one of my friends asked a question, which I simply
> couldnt answer: "Why don't they (the FCC) require a tough-technical exam,
> and convey voice/data/etc privs. then if a person wanted to use A1,F1/etc
> _then_ require them to pass an exam on Morse code!" ...I couldnt answer him
> because I was laughing too hard! (-|
> 
> -Avatar->
> Erik K. Sorgatz
> Transaction Technology Inc. (Citicorp's R/AD West)         ... . ... . ...
> 3100 ocean Park Blvd. (zone V1)                            . | |..|..| | .
> Santa Monica, Ca. 90405                                    |.|....|....|.|
> USENET path: {garfield,lasspvax,linus,cmcl2,seismo}        |.|....|....|.|
> 	     !philabs!ttidca!sorgatz                       | | ...|... | |
> ("..My poor Krel! Even they must have evolved up from the  ..| | .|. | |..
>   mindless primative..after a million years of shining sanity, they could
>   hardly have known what power was destroying them!" -Dr. Morbius F.P.)

Eric and Peter, I hardly know where to begin in answering your
question about the necessity for a code exam. except to say
that I have been a ham for 26 years and I can remember the issue
being as hotly debated when I started. The real answer as i see
it is that for some even the toughest technical exam is easy
because of professional training, more brain power or just being
still in school and practiced at studying. On the other hand,
a lot of potentially good hams would be screened out by such
tactThe technical exam should be (and is) just hard enough
to insure that new hams can handle the equipment without
danger or inconvenience to themselves or others and without
creating unnecessary interference with other radio services.
That part is tough enough for most. The code, in addition to
the obvious serves another purpose. It is a skill that one cannot
"cram" for. It is like learning to ride a bike or speak a
new language. It requires one to put in his time and there
is no real shortcut to its learning. It is a barrier which
tests ones determination to become licensed. In ham radio
we have a nearly century old proud tradition of community
service, self help and policing, strict adherence to the
FCC regs (no matter how arbitrary!) and a kind of "Can Do"
attitude which has served this country well in exchange
for the precious spectrum we borrow from it. The real 
difference between us and CBers (it is foolish to 
characterize them all as illiterate truckers) is that we
all had to WORK for our licenses and we CARE about the 
hobby. We didn't just get a rig as an Xmas gift. I have been
giving the exams for just over a year now and I believe in the
system now more than ever for I see the people who pass and
those who fail. If you were in my place and with the power to
judge, you would probably fail a lot more of them! Of course
we do NOT have that power nor want it and we try to give 
everyone every opportunity to pass. If as I believe we might, 
the FCC bows to the pressure from within and without and 
eliminates the CW requirement, it will be the beginning of
a process that will change Ham Radio beyond our recognition
and may even destroy it. In addition to all that, CW can be
very handy and (above about 25 or 30 wpm) useful and fun!
It may even save your life someday! Give it a try. 50,000
hams can't be all wrong! Thanks for wading throught this
wordy reply! 73 GL in your test! Bob K2SK >>

P.S. LOVED your Morbius quote!! - (old Robby the Robot fan!)