[Fists] The Senior Mode

[YoDoc@aol.com]

In a message dated 09/01/2003 9:05:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
fists-request@mailman.qth.net writes:

<< Reply-To: <paul@fulking.freeserve.co.uk>
 From: "Paul Bartlett" <paul@fulking.freeserve.co.uk>
 To: <fists@mailman.qth.net>
 Subject: RE: [Fists] The Senior Mode
 Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2003 21:26:47 -0400
 
 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.

Paul:

What does the fact that it is now the year 2003 have to do with whether or
not Morse Code proficiency should be a licensing requirement in the Amateur
Radio Service?  Sure, we have a lot of newer, digital modes at our disposal,
but one of the purposes of Amateur Radio is to provide an effective backup
for normal modes of communication under emergency conditions.  It is a
proven fact that the Morse/CW mode provides a practical, effective, efficient
and universal means of radio communication which has the unique ability
to continue to operate when propagation conditions make effective comm-
unication in phone or digital modes difficult, if not impossible.  
 
 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.

Unfortunately, you are latching onto one of the most irrelevant arguments
that has ever been used against code testing in the ARS.  We are not the
Navy, Merchant Marine, or any other military or commercial communications
service.  We are strictly volunteer communicators, who have a charter to
provide backup emergency communications in order to justify our use of
literally billions of dollars worth of radio spectrum.  Surely, we should be
capable of using all the latest, high-speed data modes we can afford to
implement at our individual stations.  However, we also need to be able to
keep the message traffic flowing when these modes fail due to propagation,
or lack of electrical power to operate both computers and radio transceivers.
 
 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.

The problem here is that digital modes like PSK31, which I use quite a lot
myself, more than CW at the present time, don't require any special operator
skill to implement.  Morse/CW does.  And one cannot use CW unless they
know the Morse code.  Without the development of that skill, the effective
implementation of the mode isn't possible.  This is not true of any other 
mode.
Morse/CW is unique in this manner, and thus, the testing requirement makes
sense to ensure that some number of HF operators will be able to keep the
use of this mode from being a "lost art."   

BTW, I have no problem with also requiring a typing test.  I can type at
speeds upwards of 60 WPM.  In order to communicate effectively using
digital modes, touch typing is an essential skill.  Most digital mode 
operators don't have it, I'm sad to report!  
 
 Finally, to repeat, I'm learning the skills because I *want* to. Not because
 I have to.

The classic whine of the NCTA (No Code Test Agenda).  
 
73 de Larry, K3LT