[CW] Dissing the ARRL

[Tony Martin W4FOA]

John,

Part of what you say is very true, especially regarding the lack of
recruitment from within the CW ranks as well as the fact that "Elmers" are
unfortunately almost a thing of the past.  However, I think you have missed
the MAIN reason, that being the very fact that CW is no longer required to
get a ham license..(after all, 5 WPM requires practically no skill).  The
average new ham takes the path of least resistance....if there was a serious
CW requirement, you might have less hams but at least there would be some
effort required...."if it's worth having, it's worth working for".  I can't
imagine being restricted to "a shack on the belt". Heck, my cell phone does
a better job and I don't have to "identify" or ask "anybody using the
frequency"?

Some of the blame falls on each of us, some of the blame falls on ARRL, and
some of the blame falls on today's society.  So many people today in North
America simply want something for nothing!  I think it is unfair to cast any
blame at the FISTS organization...at least they are trying to do something.
I try my best to encourage the new hams to at least give CW a fair shake and
I'm happy to report, several have taken the challenge and are enjoying CW.

Just my opinion...YMMV.

--...  ...--  (73 for the CW challenged)

Tony, W4FOA
Chickamauga, GA



----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rippey" <w3uls@3n.net>
To: <cw@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 2:04 PM
Subject: [CW] Dissing the ARRL


> I would like to ask the ARRL bashers what goal is being sought here?
>
> The pro-Morse-code argument on this web site can be reduced to a demand
> that the Federal government continue a Morse testing requirement. In other
> words, some CW ops want a federal bailout, just like many other interest
> groups do, ranging from illegal immigrants to Dakota wheat growers.
>
> Asking Uncle Sam's help implies that CW cannot stand on its own as an
> appealing way to communicate and therefore must be mandated by federal
law.
> This may also mean, couldn't it, that CW enthusiasts over the years have
> not bothered to promote the mode and recruit newcomers to it? If there had
> been a conscious, organized, directed recruitment program (ever heard of
> Amway? What has FISTS been doing all these years?), there likely would be
> lots more CW ops today and far less need for the ongoing hand-wringing.
The
> alternative argument, of course, is that no amount of vigorous recruitment
> would have been be able to attract newcomers to a dying mode. Since no
> serious recruitment effort was made, either supposition may be correct.
>
> No matter, that horse is out of the barn and I find it unseemly that a
> number of our fellow citizens are looking to Uncle Sam as our savior once
> again to make up for one more private-sector failure.
>
> 73,
> John, W3ULS
>
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