[CW] W5YI groups suggestions on ham radio licensing

[Steve w0oow]

AMEN !!!  That about says it all.  As so many people have said... maybe the
question is not why Johnny can't learn code, but rather why Johnny won't
learn code.  I never questioned that fact that I had to learn code to pass
any exam.  I just learned it as one of the requirements.   Some people seem
to want quanity rather quality.  Wait - maybe what I should have said is
that some people want $$$$ rather than quality.  Folks, no matter how you
slice it, it's all about money.  I may not be super at CW, but at least I
passed 20 to get my extra.
oow

>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2004 12:06:02 -0800 (PST)
> From: John Geiger <johngeig@yahoo.com>
> Subject:     Re: [CW] W5YI groups suggestions on ham radio licensing
> To: "David J. Ring, Jr." <n1ea@arrl.net>, N2EY@aol.com, N7DC@cs.com,
> cw@mailman.qth.net
>
> I have a couple of problems with this rationale, as I
> will outline below:
>
> 1. The idea that code serves as a barrier to getting
> into ham radio, and it keeps good people out-wait a
> minute, the technician license hasn't required a code
> test for 12 years or more now.  How is morse code
> keeping people out of ham radio when it isn't required
> to be a ham?
>
> 2. The argument that even with practice everyday, I
> couldn't win the tour de France or paint the Mona
> Lisa-exactly correct, and I am not allowed to enter
> the tour de France, and no art museam will display my
> "works".  So be it, I will find another hobby.  The
> Boston Marathon will not let you enter unless you have
> completed antoher certified marathon in the past year,
> in a specified amount of time.  If you haven't, tough
> luck, go run elsewhere.
>
> Why can't we have the same attitude about ham radio?
> If you can't or don't want to learn code, go find
> another hobby, or enjoy the VHF priviledges you have.
> Why do we have to allow everyone to be a ham?  How
> does that possibly benefit us?  Name one other hobby
> that takes the attitude that we must get everyone
> involved?
>
> 3. I am getting a little tired about this "75 meter"
> argument for how the morse code test doesn't screen
> out bad operators.  Go listen to 11 meters instead.
> That's what it sounds like when you have no licensing
> requirements, which is what we are headed towards.
>
> 4. While the VHF bands didn't deteriorate into total
> chaos when we removed the CW requirement from the
> Technician license (WAIT!!!!!!! They just admited that
> CW isn't a barrier to becoming a ham), I don't think
> the quality of conversations improved either.  Back in
> 1990 we kept hearing about all of these technically
> savvy people that wanted to be hams, except for the
> Morse Code.  So where are they?  I have yet to hear
> anything on the local repeater that resembles an EE
> classroom.  In fact, I shudder to think that anyone
> with a scanner can listen to the local repeater and
> get an idea of what ham radio is like from that.
>
> I really couldn't stomach any of their discussion
> after this, so I quit.
>
> 73s John NE0P
>
> Bigotted 20 wpm extra
>