Rick, You of course made interesting points. I do not have the vast experience (mine is at best only half-vast) that you have, but I find it interesting and helpful to share information on common issues. As one item in point, I reiterate that I find it very interesting and a more than mildly surprising that the 200 +/- replies I've received so far include only two respondents who think we ought to pick up swords and cudgels and gird ourselves in protective belts to challenge the flame-breathing monsters that would abolish Morse requirements. Maybe, just maybe, the perspective on this issue has changed after all. I would not have expected it to, but . . . 73, Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director, Great Lakes Division k8je@arrl.org - Tel. 513-459-0142 ARRL -- The reason Amateur Radio is! GREAT LAKES DIVISION CONVENTION, September 6, 2003: See http://greatlakes.arrl.org