[Boatanchors] know code / no code debate

[Ray Friess]

Anything worth having is worth working for.  The problem is that most 
dont want to work for a ham license anymore.   They just want to be able 
to buy a radio, plug it in and go on the air just like CB.

While we will still have the written test to weed out some of them, 
removing the code is just one more step on the road toward CB like 
operation on our bands.   Numbers, numbers, numbers... that's all the 
FCC cares about.   Code may not be .. or may become ... something that 
is used as much as it used to be, but having it as a requirement to get 
licensed .... even if it is only 5 words per minute .... demonstrates in 
a small manner that one is willing to put forth some effort and some 
work to get a license.  5 words a minute is not an undue burden ...  it 
what Boy Scouts had to learn to get their communication merit badge...
So I have no sympathy for anyone who cries crocodile tears about code 
being too hard to learn or being an outmoded mode of operation.     
Getting a pilots license is HARD but I'm not about to bellyache and 
demand that some of the requirements be eliminated....   There are LOTS 
of things in this life that are hard.  If we're serious about wanting to 
accomplish them then we get OFF our BUTTS and learn to do them.   The 
same with getting a ham license.... 

Amateur Radio was not designed to be open to anyone and everyone who 
wanted to push a mic button and talk.  That's why they gave up on CB and 
said do whatever the hell you want to do on those channels and you dont 
even need a license.  The FCC, in effect, said "have fun and goodbye" 
when it came to CB.

 Amateur radio was established for specific purpose .. and we all can 
probably quote the rules and regulations that state WHY ham radio 
exists.  Slowly eating away at the requirements does NOTHING to promote 
or sustain those reasons.....
If someone wants to play around and dork around and talk to people all 
over the world, and act like an idiot and thats all they want to do .... 
then find a chat room on the internet or get a CB radio.   The FCC 
doesnt need to make it easier for such people to do it on the ham 
frequencies....

telegrapher at att.net wrote:

> You see this happening all the time.  Just take a listen on 2 meter 
> repeaters.  Listen on the HF bands to folks calling CQ.  Long calls 
> get no answers most of the time and some calls go on for minutes at a 
> time.
> Best we debate this on another channel or via privately i suppose. 
> Sorry, i got carried away because of my liking CW so much.  It's a 
> nice challenge in difficult communications situations.
>
> Larry
> W0OGH
>
>
>
>
> James Cundiff wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
>>    I have heard and followed this debate on other places and one 
>> thing amazes me. Everyone is crying about the code requirements (I 
>> took my test but have no interest in using it at this time) Why has 
>> no mention been made of the time it takes to get an upgrade? In my 
>> opinion, the far bigger threat to our bands and hobby is the fact 
>> that someone can walk in off the street green and if they can pass 
>> all the tests, they walk out an Extra! You have just given this 
>> inexperienced person full permission to have their way with the 
>> entire spectrum. They know nothing about radio etiquette. How do I 
>> properly break into a net? How is a DX contact done RIGHT? How do I 
>> call CQ correctly? How do I make sure the freq. is clear before I 
>> start calling? All the manners that Really keep us from being CBers! 
>> Think about it! I can know the code and still rip up qso's right and 
>> left by being rude. If I have to wait 1 year between upgrades, then I 
>> will have no choice but to learn some manners. Just my opinion. 73
>>
>> In His service,
>> Jim Cundiff KB3GFC
>>
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>
>
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> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **   ** For 
> Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **         $$ For vintage radio info, 
> see the HCI web site $$      http://www.w9wze.org   
>
>