[CW] Dissing the ARRL

[n3drk]

> This really annoys me.  I busted my ass for a month and still barely
> squeaked by on the 5 WPM code test.  To _you_ it requires practically no
> skill.  To _me_ it's a struggle every time I turn on the radio.  Don't
> assume that what comes easy to you is easy for others.  Even after all the
> work I put into passing my General, I'm still for mandatory code testing.

Gene, the fellow who made the comment did not mean any disrespect to you
or others in your situation. What he is saying along with others including
myself
is the dumbing down in the standards. The present 5 wpm licensing for the
test
 does you or others any justice. The hardest thing is learning the code
especially
at 5wpm. At that speed it is the most difficult. Code is learned by sound
and at
that speed one does NOT hear sound, the rhythm, the flow of the sound of the
letters. We all went through this. In my case I am 51 years of age and
learned
the code when I was 16. Man did I have a difficult time. I never want to go
through that again. But at the time I had a novice class license and had 2
years
to get my speed up to 13wpm. But what I found out is that when I reached
10wpm it got easier because I was starting to hear the sound of the letter.
From
that point on I started to fly through qso's. Most of the hams are against
the 5wpm
for this very reason. We feel once amateurs they pass the test at 5wpm they
will simply put down the key. Now this may not be the case with you but not
everyone is like you. Many, many hams will then give the code up and go onto
phone and they will miss out of the greatest satisfaction and challenge of
the higher code speed which makes cw operating so satisfying. It does get
easier. We know this and are disturbed by the decision and non decisions
of the League. They are doing themselves as an organization a disfavor and
other potential hams also. You are doing FB. It took me 6 months to learn
the 5wpm code speed. So take heart. I feel he was not trying to belittle
you Gene. Keep up the good work.
73's OM

john-n3drk