One thing I keep hearing over and over again, is why should CW be a "requirement"
to gain access to the hf portions of the band? The most prevalent answers
thus far are because it is tradition, and it is a way of weeding out those
folks we don't want. Sorry folks, but neither of those arguments hold any
water, at least in my point of view.
First, why would we want to weed anyone out? We need to attract more and
more people into the service, not the other way around. I hear some say
that if the code were dropped, we would turn into another CB radio type of
atmosphere. Have you tuned around the bands lately, and even before the
restructuring in 2000. I have heard many Extras, Advanced and yes, General
class operators, arguing, using words that would make a sailor blush, and
otherwise making them selves an embarrassment to Amateur Radio. Yet, they
had to pass the code before crossing into the threshold of HF. Did not make
them a better operator.
Tradition? So was spark gap. Do we require folks to send by spark gap in
order to enter the hf areas? Of course not. We move on. CW is a great mode
of operation. , but so is packet, atv, ssb, am, psk31, and the list goes
on. Why should one mode of operation have any higher value than the other.
I realize that we will have much discussion on this subject, but as Jim H
points out, now is the time to do it. We all have our own opinions and ideas,
but in my opinion, the bottom line is this. The final decision not only effects
each and everyone of us in the board family, but most importantly, it effects
our members, and non members alike.
As side note, I noticed that over 50,000 of our members have signed up for
section/division news from all over the country. Sending out a note to them
via this means, and asking them to vote in a straw poll, would at least give
us some insight to their opinion. Sure, it would not be scientific, but at
least it would be some type of gauge..........and I believe the software
only allows you to vote once. At least it does in the members only area.
73,
Tuck
K4NK@aol.com wrote:
I have just finished reading all of the comments on ODV about
the Morse controversy. I am concerned about what I have read . It seems several
have indicated that the FCC will drop the requirement NO MATTER WHAT we petition.
As a Vice Director perhaps I'm just out of the loop enough not to understand
the politics of this situation. My concerns go way beyond this issue. I operate
99% CW , I am concerned that our " CW sub bands " will go away at some point.
Perhaps even the mode , as we see on 5 MHz. If this were the case Amateur
Radio would offer no appeal to me .
There will be a fight ... but as for me I will never back down
on the requirement . I will also (although I have no vote on the board) oppose
any effort to simply let the FCC drop the requirement.
Les Shattuck K4NK
--
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Southwestern Division Vice Director
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