[CW] Code Test? YES!

[Donald Chester]

>The dropping of the code test from the Technician back in 1991 did not 
>result in significant long-term increased growth in the number of hams in 
>the USA. There was an initial surge for a few years only. There is no 
>reason to expect significant long-term increased growth if the code test is 
>completely eliminated.

Over the years I have seen a long series of attempts to increase the number 
of newcomers to ham radio.  It started with making the Novice class 
permanent, "Novice Enhancement" giving Novices 10m phone privileges, then 
the No-code Technician.  Then came "restructuring" with the lowering of the 
code speed to 5 wpm.  Each time, there was an initial surge that very 
quickly levelled off, and non-renewals soon caught up with new licensees.  
When (it's almost certainly "when", not "if") the code requirement is 
eliminated in the US, I predict the same thing once again.

In  earlier decades when there was a lot of interest in ham radio by young 
people, there were no computers, internet, mobile phones, DVD's, pagers, 
electronic games and all the other toys and gizmos we take for granted 
today.  In those days, most hams started out homebrewing a simple crystal 
controlled Novice transmitter or converting WWII surplus, or least by 
purchasing a kit.  Only a fortunate few of the beginners could afford a 
ready-to-go factory built transmitter and receiver.  Despite more menetary 
affluence, today's kids have little interest in plunking down $1000 or more 
for a plug 'n play black box with microphone to get on the air and 
communicate with scratchy, tinny, irritating voices about the wx and 
physical ailments, or to engage in turf wars (for those so inclined, road 
rage is much more exciting).

The bottom line: appliance operating is bo-o-o-oring!

And, eliminating cw requirements will not make it any more attractive.

Don K4KYV

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