[Elecraft] Dropping the Code Test

[Stephen W. Kercel]

Elecrafters:

I realize that this issue has been visited before, but this message is more 
a call to action than simply venting a complaint.

FCC Notice 05-235 has come out in the Federal Register and comments are due 
by October 31.

There are a great many of us who would at least like to see a CW 
requirement maintained for the Extra Class  exam. There is a very small 
(but real) chance that the FCC would do that if they are provided with 
novel and compelling reasons. (Note: The traditional arguments, such as 
"Without the code test, ham radio will become another Citizen's Band," are 
known to the FCC, and they are unconvinced by them. We need to get the FCC 
to say, "Gee, we never thought of that.") If you'd like to see some 
semblance of a code test preserved, this is the time to think outside the box.

Will such comments assure that the FCC will change their minds? Maybe not. 
However, the way for us to guarantee that the code requirement is dropped 
for all classes is for us to do nothing.

In the spirit of participatory democracy, I urge all US list members to 
file their comments, irrespective of their positions on the issue. (I 
expect that the list members should get used to filing FCC comments. There 
is worse on the way. The British government has already floated a trial 
balloon to drop ham licensing altogether in the UK. It is only a matter of 
time before the FCC tries to follow their bad example.)

If you are unfamiliar with how to file, you can check out the Web site of 
my local club:

www.ks1r.net


There I have posted an explanation of how to file and a copy of my filing 
to serve as a template.

73,

Steve Kercel
AA4AK