[CW] League stance on CW

[Lawrence Makoski]

For better or worse, this is what I sent to everybody at the League that =
I could find an e-mail address for:

Dear President Haynie, Directors and Vice-Directors, Officers of the =
League,

As they say, "times, they are a changin' " in Amateur Radio.  With the =
threats of BPL; and the results of WRC-03, there can be no doubt that we =
are at a critical crossroads in the history of Amateur Radio.  It might =
even be said that we are at the most critical junction in our 100+ year =
history.

I would like to thank the League for its' efforts in trying to rid the =
scourge of BPL.  I know, as all of you do, that if this comes to pass =
that it will effectively wipe us from the radio map. I have filed my =
comments; and continue to eagerly watch the outcome of these happenings.

However, there is another critical juncture we are facing; and that is =
the elimination of the code requirement in order to gain access to the =
HF bands.  For the first time in our history we are considering the =
possibility of ridding ourselves of the very "distinctiveness" that sets =
us apart from all other radio services.  As you can probably tell from =
my tone, I am very opposed to this; but that is not the reason that I =
write you all.

As of right now, I know the League's "official" position is to maintain =
the Morse Code requirement.  But I am not naive; and I know as pressures =
from the outside continue, the League will in all probability want to =
re-evaluate this position.
That being said,  I think it is crucial for the League to properly =
evaluate the membership's stance on this question.  I would request, in =
accordance with the importance of this issue, that the League would =
undertake a physical vote of the membership. Not a Web poll, where the =
ballot box can easily be stuffed; but a real "paper ballot, please put =
an X by your selection", vote. I know this is a "hot button" issue and =
that emotions run very "hot" and high for each camp, pro or con.=20

I also realize that this might be asking a lot; but I would feel much =
better about my membership knowing that the League asked each and every =
one of us how we feel on this question.   In reality, I think it's the =
only way I would be comfortable continuing my support of our =
organization; knowing that you cared enough to want to know how we each =
personally stand on this issue, either way.  In addition, I think it =
would then be beneficial to the League, knowing that whatever stance it =
takes, that it is also the stance of the majority of its' members.

Respectfully yours,

Lawrence Makoski  W2LJ
W2LJ@arrl.net
http://www.qsl.net/w2lj

ARRL Lifemember  QRP ARCI #4488     NJQRP #47
FISTS #1469  QRP-L #778   FP #612  QRPp-I #759
ARS #1528 --- K1 #1647


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