[Fists] The Senior Mode

Mon, 1 Sep 2003 17:49:44 -0400

Paul,

The other modes are tested.  They are tested in the technical sections of
the exams.

We, in the USA, test to see if the candidate is minimally able to use a
certain mode - this includes AM, FM, SSB, TV, RTTY, microwaves, CW and so
on.

One of the basic requirements to communicate via one of the amateur radio
modes (CW) is knowledge of the morse code.  Without knowledge of the Morse
Code this mode is closed to this person.  Without some of the tecnnical
information about the other modes, they would be "closed" to the amateur.

We no longer test for proficiency - perhaps we should for the premium
license of Amateur Extra because it is the "Expert's" license.  The Extra
license also had advanced technical test at the expert level.

One interesting side note on this knowing code aspect is that most people
who "know code" listen to the audio of their PSK and MFSK RTTY signals - and
they know that CW isn't necessarily just QRM.

I have worked many stations on PSK and the signals were too weak, but we
switched to CW and then carried on a QSO.

I am very impressed with PSK and MFSK under certain conditions, but in my
experience CW still beats it - I think if a "handshaking" system with MFSK
or PSK were to be done, it probably would beat CW, but the speed would be
very low because of repeats.

Remember - not too long ago - CW beat RTTY for speed in transmission because
the messages didn't have to be transcribed into digital data first.

A CW operator could send off a paper copy of a message and send the message
at 30 wpm.

A RTTY operator would first have to punch up a paper tape and then send it.
This would be effectively sending the message twice at 60 wpm - which would
lower the speed to 30 wpm.  With the older equipment, there was the option
of touch typing the message directly into the equipment, but on the newer
TWX and Telex machines that were computerized that was almost impossible.
It required manual overrides.

An amateur exam should make sure the person is competant to do all the
modes - it would be too difficult to have separate examinations for each
mode.

Right now the CW operator want to be has to learn about SSB, TV, FM to get
the license, and vice versa.  A good compromise to my mind.

Also - the majority of CW operators would have never learned or done CW if
they weren't required to do it for the test.

I am glad you "want to" learn skills - that is wonderful, so after you
learn, then you could take the test and pass it.

If I am interested in flying, I learn because I want to, but to get my
license I have to pass certain requirements - which are a barrier to my just
going out and flying an airplane.

WILLINGNESS is a wonderful quality, but it must harness the will and proceed
to do the work.  The purpose of the amateur licenses in the USA are to see
that candidates are qualified.

Without knowing morse code, they are NOT qualified to use it.

Why should we make a special exemption for morse code?  When you take the
exams, you are tested on the other modes.

73

David Ring, N1EA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Bartlett" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2003 9:26 PM
Subject: RE: [Fists] The Senior Mode

> Hi Cheryl,
>
> I don't think that anybody's arguing for the elimination of the mode. Far
> from it. The question is whether in 2003 there is any sensible purpose for
> making cw proficiency a *requirement* for access to the amateur HF bands.
>
> I choose to learn cw because I find it interesting and a challenge but as
> the IAU has adjudged there's no longer a necessity to make it mandatory.
> Ships no longer need carry a cw proficient radio operator because the
> technology has moved on.
>
> Your comments on technical requirements I concur with; nobody should be
> allowed on the bands without having at least a rudimentary understanding
of
> the effects of their actions.
>
> What I *do* take issue with is the underlying attitude that has been
evident
> on this list that nobody should be permitted access to the HF bands unless
> cw proficient. It just makes no sense to me. You might just as well pick
any
> other mode - say PSK31 - and demand that nobody be allowed on the bands
> unless they can demonstrate that they can touch type  at at least 20 wpm.
I
> can btw.
>
> Finally, to repeat, I'm learning the skills because I *want* to. Not
because
> I have to.
>
> 73
>
> Paul M3CRQ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cheryl W. Ring [mailto:[email protected]]
> Sent: 31 August 2003 11:55
> To: [email protected]; Chris Redding
> Subject: Re: [Fists] The Senior Mode
>
>
> Chris - and the FISTS reflector.
>
> Good Morning!
>
> To qualify for 5 wpm morse testing took me about 6 weeks of about 3-4
hours
> a week practice.
> That's about 24 hours of work - and some of it fun.
>
> To qualify for my written exams - including learning how to draw all the
> circuits we were tested on, Ohms Law, Kirkoff's Law, Lenz's law, and
> Murphy's Law, elements of Algebra, Trigometery, conversion from polar to
> rectangular coordinates, transmission line theory, propagation theory,
> vacuum tube theory and practice, transistor theory and practice, power
> supplies, full, half-wave, bridge, rectification, switching power
supplies,
> Crystal (pierce), Colpits, Hartley, and Armstrong oscillators, Phase lock
> loops, chokes, resistors, transformer theory, capacitance, complex
impedanc
> calculation, power factor, basic techniques of RF amplification,
> hetrodyning, phasing, lissojous patterns, neutralization, Amplitude
> modulation, Frequency Modulation, limiter/detectors, diode and product
> detectors, balanced modulators, plate modulation, grid/screen grid
> modulation, Basics of radiotelegraphy by baudot printer, television
> transmission (NTSC standards, chroma, color burst, synch pulse) and
> reception theory, circuit practices at VHF and UHF, frequency measurement,
> lecher wires, gunn diodes, microwave theory took me much longer to study
> for.  And of course, we had to study FCC and ITU radio laws and operating
> practices (including Q signals).
>
> I have NEVER used the majority of the technical material that I studied.
I
> certainly never had to do anything involving the square root of "negative
> one", so why was I TORMENTED with this requirement?
>
> Why?  Because it set me apart from others - it made me qualified.  I would
> have some understanding of radio and I would know my surroundings!
>
> I don't know what this big deal is about - the code is nothing compared
with
> the technical requirements.
>
> Or have they changed the technical requirements?
>
> Is that what this is all about?  They've watered down the technical
> requirements so they need no study, so let's eliminate the other parts
that
> need study?
>
> 73
>
> David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Redding" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 9:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [Fists] The Senior Mode
>
>
> >
> > Agreed, Dan.
> > It is 2003. The morse test war (for those who chose to fight it) is
lost.
> > Fists must now transform itself into the 'first point of contact' for
> anyone
> > who develops an interest in the mode.  The same way that other modes
(such
> > as RTTY / Data / Hellschreiber / TV / Satellites) all have their own
> > associations which extend a helpful hand to the curious and the confused
> > newcomer.
> > You never hear any of these groups insisting that everybody must pass a
> > proficiency test for their favourite mode before being allowed on HF,
and
> I
> > can't understand why the morse lobby should be any different.
> > Sure, morse is an excellent mode...I will always love it, but we must
now
> > reform into a group which presents a welcoming and helpful face to
anybody
> > who wonders what all those mysterious 'secret agent' beeps at the bottom
> of
> > the bands mean, and want to find out more.
> > If we attempt to fight a rearguard action against 'no code', we will
> simply
> > be identified with the past. Personally I want my favourite mode to
> continue
> > and grow into the 21st century, to continue the long and proud tradition
> of
> > what I regard as 'The Senior Mode'.  For this we will need new blood,
> which
> > we will not get if we come to be seen as an embittered bunch of elitist
> 'old
> > groaners'.
> >
> > All the best,
> > Chris G4PDJ
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Dan KB6NU <[email protected]>
> > To: Chris Redding <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 1:55 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Fists] garbage, etc.
> >
> >
> > > Hey, Chris--
> > >
> > > I'm glad to see that I'm not the lone voice crying out in the
> wilderness.
> > :)
> > >
> > > As you note, many guys now simply pass the test and then never touch a
> key
> > > or paddle ever again. That's just as bad as not ever having to pass
the
> > test
> > > at all. FISTS needs to be in the forefront of promoting CW use, not in
> the
> > > forefront of complaining about the elimination of the Morse
requirement.
> > >
> > > 73!
> > >
> > > Dan KB6NU
> >
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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> >
> >
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> >
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