[CW] We're not a privileged SERVICE ...

[ulrich@steinberg.cc]

Because it is NOT just a hobby. It is a government SERVICE, subject to international treaties.  The day we become "just a hobby" will be the day ham radio ceases to be.

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Alan,

You mean like Citizens Band Radio SERVICE, or Family Radio SERVICE? (they, too, have spectrum allocations that are subject to international agreements ...) Of course it's just a hobby, and you shouldn't try to expect special privileges or protection because of that magic word in its name.  A small minority of us have ever provided a public service (on a voluntary basis - I'm not aware of any mandatory service we have to provide) or would know how to fill such a role, and whatever the services we provided they probably did not involve CW, and therefore will not provide a rationale to protect CW band allocations.

The elimination of the 5wpm requirement doesn't change the facts too much: it doesn't take a lot of effort to pass that test, and if you do it doesn't realistically enable you to communicate since the typical speed on the bands is probably three times faster.  Those who strive to master CW will continue to do so even if it's not required - after all it's one of the few skills in ham radio these days that require a bit of tenacity and give a sense of accomplishment.

Rather than petition the FCC or pressure ARRL into a position to retain the worthless 5wpm requirement, we should focus our energies on making sure that some part of the bands remain reserved for CW (and other non-voice modes).  THAT is the real battle, and we cannot expect protection from a misplaced hope that we'll be seen as a government service - we clearly are not.

73, Ric, N2DE  (100% CW)