[Fists] garbage, etc.

Sun, 31 Aug 2003 16:42:35 +0100

Chris - I have to agree with you.  Option B is better, as it like
the 'build it and they will come' theme.  It is my feeling that
as more and more of the non-code personnel get licensed, and they
have to 'fight' the ''screaming pile-ups'', they will wake up and
learn that you can work the world and even the 'rarest' countries
with 100W and CW, you don't need 2.5KW [and more] and scream to
get them to hear you. One thing that I don't care for is the 
'buzz phrase' HEAVY-EXTRA.  It reminds me of the time when a chap
came into a TV lounge at our communications school and stated to
all present - 'I am great because I know code and can copy 15 WPM'
[He of course was a newbie that just reported in].  I followed
him to his room and politely informed him that he was getting off
on the wrong foot by making statements like that - and that myself
and a lot of the people in that room could copy 40WPM, and more -
and that we did not think we were great - it was just something we
liked to do. And as stated many times, others - there are a lot of
what the 'HEAVIES WILL CALL SOFT' becoming extra class that have
an extensive background in electronics and can copy a heck of a lot
faster than 30-40WPM.  Code does not make the Amateur.
Have a great day Chris -
73,
Joe W7LPF [And yes - I guess when I get around to upgrading I will
           be branded as a 'SOFTIE' - to which I will just grin!!]

Chris Redding wrote:
> 
> No you're not.  I agree.
> I've always loved morse code, but I learned it because I wanted to, not
> because I had to.
> I would have learned the code even if it was not a requirement, because it
> fascinates me.  That is why I continue to use it now that the morse test is
> 23 years in my past.
> I have heard some of our so called 'no code hams' talking about morse, and
> there is a self-help QRS net hereabouts which is continuing despite the
> morse test being scrapped.
> The way I see it is either:
> a) you stop a lot of people becoming hams by erecting an artificial morse
> 'barrier'
> or
> b) You get rid of the barrier, allow more people to become hams, then
> encourage the ones who show any interest in morse.
> 
> I think that b) will result in more morse, because the ones who only learned
> morse grudgingly will never use it after they qualify anyway.  (I know at
> least three long-standing HF hams who - despite passing the morse test - do
> not now even own a morse key...one of them admits that he can't even
> remember the alphabet).
> 
> FWIW :-)
> 
> Chris, G4PDJ
> Newbury EG
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 1:07 AM
> Subject: Re: [Fists] garbage, etc.
> 
> > In a message dated 8/30/2003 7:28:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> > [email protected] writes:
> >
> > > I may be the only Fists member that doesn't see dropping the Morse code
> > > requirement as bringing an end to amateur radio.
> > >
> 
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