Well said, Dean.
I agree with your comments 100% and I would like to add a few more. :-)
1. I am put off when hams who are supposed to be communicators jump
into this (or any other) discussion and all they do is lob one line
"zingers". This does nothing to broaden the sense of community we
should share. In fact this creates festering wounds that prevent us
from being the best team we could be when the chips are down and emergency
communications are needed most. In those situations I don't care if the
guy that is helping me was licensed pre or post 04/15/2000. The more
important aspect is getting the traffic relayed correctly.
>From the Amateur's Code:
"The Amateur is Considerate...He never knowingly uses the air in such a
way as to lessen the pleasure of others."
I'd like to think this extends to email lists and it's a personal goal
of mine to live up to this lofty expectation.
2. With regard to mandatory Morse Code testing, the world has changed.
Like it or not, the international community has only decided that
national administrations should have the option of requiring a code
exam or not. As it should have been for many years! It is my political
philosophy that government is best kept to as local of a level as possible
and that is what the WARC decision does. It does not mandate that the
FCC or any other administration strike the code requirement.
That said will there be a petition filed to remove the code requirement
in the U.S.A.? It's inevitable, I believe, that we will see such a
petition within the next few months. Do I personally support or oppose
such a petition? At one time I would have opposed it vehemently. Now I
probably lean more in favor of striking the requirement.
Personally, I have not found that code proficiency makes anyone a better
person nor does it cause one to reach a special state of knowledge or
oneness with nature. At best it forces some type of military style
discipline to one's self in order to obtain greater operating
privileges. At worst it has turned off many hams from ever trying one
of the most storied and interesting ways there exists to communicate. A
look around the HF bands will reveal far too many 20 WPM Extras behaving
badly. How did the code filter help here?
>From the Amateur's Code:
"The Amateur is Progressive...He keeps his station abreast of science.
It is well built and efficient. His operating practice is above
reproach."
I firmly believe that had there been some other means of communication
available "in the beginning" then folks would still hold on to that
method with the same tenacity as they do mandatory Morse Code exams.
There is nothing wrong with preserving our history and tradition and I
tip my hat to those who do so. However, we are to be a forward looking
service employing new technologies and new techniques. Are you
fulfilling that role? I know I could do better myself.
>From the Amateur's Code:
"The Amateur is Loyal...He offers his loyalty, encouragement and support
to his fellow radio amateurs, his local club and the American Radio
Relay League, through which Amateur Radio is represented."
Again please keep this in mind during this final debate on mandatory
Morse Code examination. We need to be loyal and considerate of one
another and it is petty issues such as this that occupy our attention
and prevent us from mounting an effective and united front against those
wishing to take our spectrum allocations either overtly or covertly
(BPL/PWC, anyone?).
And really, folks, keep in mind that this debate is over the mandatory
Morse Code exam. It has nothing to do with the positive or negative
attributes of the mode. Simply put, should a mandatory Morse Code exam
exist in the 21st Century and beyond?
Like Dean I would like to see the written examinations bolstered to
reveal a demonstration of real knowledge and experience.
A couple more from the Amateur's Code:
"The Amateur is Friendly...Slow and patient sending when requested,
friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance,
cooperation and consideration for the interests of others; these are the
marks of the amateur spirit."
"The Amateur is Balanced...Radio is his hobby. He never allows it to
interfere with any of the duties he owes to his home, his job, his
school, or his community."
With all the acrimony I have seen tossed by both sides in the mandatory
Morse Code examination debate over the past 20 years or so I think we
should all step back and ponder the Amateur's Code and not get carried
away with our emotions.
73, de Nate >>
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