[Fists] Re: Dropping of CW Test Requirement

[LJ Dumas]

I've had a long and serious debate with myself on
this.

I've come to the conclusion that the dropping of the
CW requirement is a good thing.

Yes, a good thing.

I'm a former US Coast Guard radioman.  To qualify as a
basic radioman (RM3/E-4) one had to copy 18wpm.  To
qualify for RM2 one had to copy 25wpm (exceptions
available).  While not an official requirement, to
make RM1 and/or RMC (e-6/7) it was expected that one
would have the 'speed key' requirement (30 wpm).

That said, I view a 5wpm requirement as pointless. 
5wpm is NOT 'proficient' nor would anyone use 5wpm for
any emergency - in maritime usage 16wpm was the 'norm'
for broadcasts and emergency comms.  25wpm was the
'norm' for news broadcasts by the commercial stations
(like KPH, etc.).

SO, that said, I feel it's up to us who love the
universality of CW (I can/have talked to Japanese CW
enthusiasts who do NOT SPEAK ENGLISH) to demonstrate
the usefulness and universality of CW to those who
don't see the good of The Code (like CIRC ROMA and HO
102 for medical emergencies).

If you love CW like I do, STOP WHINING AND CONVERT A
NON-CW HAM TO A CW LOVER!

73 OM FB

L Joseph Dumas
N2LJD
WQFE734
ARRL VE
FISTS 11132
DOS (Digital On Six) 387


 
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