[Fists] CW Down the Tubes?

[ATanner283@aol.com]

Jeff...I don't think it is because of lack of use, I think it is because of 
lack of interest and our failure to introduce new operators to the joy of CW. 
Back "you know when" a novice had NO CHOICE but to learn the code to upgrade. 
He had a year to do it. Or else he  was OFF the air. During that time an op 
would learn procedure and hone his skills as well as picking up speed. He was 
XTAL controlled also. Believe me, one of the biggest reasons to upgrade was 
to get rid of those dang XTALS and get a VFO. Then comes the ARRL, who decide 
to push for incentive licensing, lifetime novice tickets, and the worst, give 
novices phone privileges on 10 meters. Hordes of them passed the 5WPM and 
went to phone, and did not work to use CW. Then the cry started. "It's too 
hard." "I can't do it." It's antique." Gimmee gimmee. So, many ops who MIGHT 
have found that they really enjoyed the mode when they became proficient with 
it, went on to phone and never looked back. Everyone knows the story "well, I 
know so and so and he's an electronic engineer, and he learned code and never 
used it again." So what. Look at all the ops who run CW exclusively for years 
and years. It was a common thing to hear guys say at get togethers "yeah, I 
had a hard time learning code but I found out I love it and now that's about 
all I use."  Now we are allowing EXTRA's, who are supposed to represent 
operators who have studied and applied themselves to get "promoted," getting 
on the air with a
dumb test and no code. At one time you could not even get an extra without 
holding another class of ticket for a while. The FCC even sent you a really 
nice "paper" to hang on the wall. I'm sure this is not the "end" of CW, but 
it has been greatly reduced in favor of handing out tickets in an effort to 
get more ops on the air, hence more members in the ARRL, and maintain their 
status quo. 5 WPM is NO CODE and those of us who use it know that. It is a 
unique and special language that WILL become completely obsolete sooner or 
later. I'm just very very glad that I was in ham radio "back when" and know 
what it was like when it REALLY was special. Next will be mail in ticket apps 
in the box of that new transceiver that you just mail in. You think not??? 
Wait and see... Al/W8FAX /2192                                       
EXTRA/Heavy