[GreenKeys] Re: MORSE code

[Bob McConnell]

Don Robert House wrote:
> For what its worth,
> 
> I know several Amateurs that passed their MORSE exams and have never  
> used it since, not one single time.  If I had better hearing and it  did 
> not give me a headache every time I tried it would be different.   It is 
> very hard to differentiate the tones when my ears ring all the  time.  
> If I try again, it will be with someone helping me with both a  flashing 
> light and a tone sequence at the same time.  If the  headaches return 
> forget it.

I had to learn Morse to get into the US Navy Radio School in 1970. After 
sitting in front of an Olivetti typewriter 40 hours a week for three 
weeks learning how to type 40 words a minute, we put on headphones and 
started typing the code lessons. We didn't get out of there until we 
could send and receive 16 WPM, another three weeks for most of us. In 
the remaining seven years I was a radioman, I used Morse exactly once, 
via sonar, in an ASW exercise. As part of the drill, we had to exchange 
ten messages with a sub. Unfortunately, the sub was close to a hard 
bottom, so the echo made it impossible to copy. I never did hear any CW 
on a radio during my 3 1/2 years on a destroyer. Nor did I ever find a 
key in that radio shack. On the other hand, we had more crypto equipment 
than TTYs. We could encrypt two UHF voice circuits.

Today, learning Morse code to get any license is about as useful as 
having to learn calligraphy before you can use a work processor. Yes, 
you might actually chose to use it, but what does it really gain you?

On top of everything else, my Tech Plus license was downgraded to Tech 
when I last renewed it. If I ever do find a reason to take the General 
Exam, I need to turn in either my initial Novice license, or my first 
Tech license to the VE to prove I have already passed the Morse requirement.

Bob McConnell
N2SPP