Feedback (Re: [Fists] FISTS vs. the ARRL)

[K0HB]

> [Original Message]
> From: <YoDoc@aol.com>
>
> One of the posters mentioned that we need to preserve the "art" of Morse 
> code.  While I don't disagree, I must re-state that the time to do that
would have 
> been in 1998, when the "Restructuring" NPRM was being considered.  The
FISTS 
> organization had, and wasted, a valuable opportunity to respond in large 
> numbers to the proposed rulemaking which, essentially, put an end to
Morse cod
> testing as a significant part of the amateur radio licensing process in
the U.S.  
> We now face a future ARS in which Morse/CW will be in grave danger of 
> becoming a "lost art," and it could very well be thus because the FISTS,
at the time, 
> didn't have a charter to be a "political action group."
>

Well spoken, Larry.  And while we're waiting for that NRPM and collecting
our thoughts about how we'll respond, I'll offer the following thoughts.

In a sense the need to 'preserve the art of Morse' is very much a
'missionaries' task, where we need to go out and seek 'converts'.  I don't
think FISTS is doing a very good job of that at all.  

In fact, rather than acting like missionaries, the typical FIST member acts
more like a cloistered monk.  Most of them sequester themselves on
frequencies ending in "58" and seek to meet only with other members with
numbers to trade back and forth. It's becoming a closed society, and
nothing will end a QSO with the faithful more quickly than saying "I dont
have a number". 

Let's abandon all these quests for the holy numbers, and start a new award
for the best recruiters.

73, de Hans, K0HB