[CW] A modest proposal

[Will]

I disagree with your disagreement. Now more than ever, with a new generation of hams coming on the air with zero exposure to CW, CW/data subbands are important to keep order and to keep QRM down. THe CW proficiency requirement was originally and ultimately based on the idea that everyone using the HF bands needed to be able to recognize and read CW, so as not to interfere with one another. Now that there are thousands on HF with virtually no CW experience, and there will be yet thousands more, keeping CW/data subbands, wherever ini the band they may be located, is essential for CW and the data modes to be able to operate without massive QRM from SSB ops who may not even recognize a CW and datasignals as a sigs at all, but rather as hets to be notched out. Subbanding gives CW/RTTY/AMTOR/PACTOR/et al/ a chance, even if its only 25 KHz or so of breathing room per band.

Will KD7BFX
-------Original Message-------
From: "Alan W." <n5lf@qsl.net>
Sent: 07/28/03 05:49 PM
To: cw@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [CW] A modest proposal

> 
> I respectfully disagree with the concept of a CW rating to "allow" people
on
CW.  I also disagree with a CW-only segment.  It would further isolate CW
and telegraphers.

The CW exam are not a qualifier to "allow" people to operate CW, nor do
the
technical aspects of the exams "give us permission" to build or repair our
own equipment.  Rather, the exams function to provide a certain level of
well-rounded, technical foundation or syllabus for self-study; and with
incentives to keep us progressing in our knowldge and skills.