Bob Vallio and I conducted a formal survey in the Pacific Division via e-mail on the Morse code licensing issue. While we have not yet tabulated the results yet (there were over 1,000 responses), we noticed two things in the write-in comments: 1. A surprising number of members believe that removal of the code proficiency license testing requirement automatically means that the code segments of the bands will be re-farmed to other operating modes. Comments such as "We have to save the code test to protect the lower portion of the bands." were rather common. 2. Some members equate removal of the testing requirement to a total ban on the operating mode. Comments such as "We have to save CW because it works when other modes do not." were less common, but still prevalent enough to be of concern. It seems clear to me that no matter what the board decides at the upcoming meeting, we have some serious educating to do about what the decision does and does not mean. The simpler and more direct the explanation, the better, in my opinion as it would be a shame to lose a lot of members over this type of misunderstanding. 73, Andy Oppel, N6AJO Vice Director, Pacific Division, ARRL n6ajo@arrl.org home: (510) 864-2299 cell: (510) 910-1508 At 07:43 AM 1/5/2004, you wrote:

One device that we, along with many other Web site operators, use to build site traffic is to provide an interactive opportunity for site visitors. Every week the "ARRLWeb Survey" asks a different question which typically garners 2,000-3,000 responses. Obviously it is not scientific; while it is occasionally possible to learn something from the responses, respondents are not representative of anyone but themselves and there is no easy way to guard against "stuffing the ballot box." Most of the time there is no reason for anyone to respond more than once, although occasionally we do see evidence of ballot-box stuffing. For example, a couple of months ago when we asked which operating system people were using, some Mac users submitted multiple responses because they would like the ARRL to devote more resources to providing Mac-compatible products.

The question that went up last Friday was appropriate for the New Year: "Which is your greatest hope for Amateur Radio in 2004?" The possible responses given were:

That BPL (Broadband over Power Line) will be stopped before it spreads That the FCC will drop Morse code testing That the FCC will retain Morse code testing That more antenna restrictions will be overturned That more people will become hams None of the above

When the question first went up, for a while BPL was getting the most responses. Then the anti- and pro-code denizens began publicizing the fact that the question was there and wholesale stuffing began. So the numbers of responses, which now total more than 10,000, are even more meaningless than usual.

Dave K1ZZ

73, Andy Oppel, N6AJO Vice Director, Pacific Division, ARRL n6ajo@arrl.org home: (510) 864-2299 cell: (510) 910-1508