[GreenKeys] Re: FCC to drop Morse Code requirement

[Teletypeparts at aol.com]

Good news or Bad news? 

I have worked in the commercial end of broadcast maintenance (TV, FM and MW) 
for 30 years or so and always wanted to get an amateur license.  It was 
learning the code that always seemed to get in my way.  I finally got my Technician 
license about 6 years ago.  Then passed Element 3 test last February.  Only 
the code to go.  

This summer,  thanks to the generousity of friends, I have a nice Kenwood TS 
520S on my desk and 3 band dipole antenna installed.  Also a 32 ASR and Hal ST 
5000 wired in (receive only so far).  Ready to get on air as soon as I pass 
the code test.  Now, after 9 months of study (not consistantly, I admit), I 
know the code, but not fast enough to try the test yet.  

If I get to upgrade my license to General without taking the code test, I 
still plan to use the code where allowed, if I can find someone with the patience 
to go as slow as me.  

Maybe the dropping of code requirement will benefit me and others, but hope 
that it is still widely used by those who know it.   

Wayne
KB1FDW