[GreenKeys] Re: MORSE code

[Joe Montano]

I will agree with you that initiations need not involve harassment, but to
some people, because of statements made by others in our fraternity, they
see it as such and that is the plain truth.  I know, for I am one of those
people.  I am a "No-Code" Tech.  I have no desire to learn the code, just
like I have no desire to learn Spanish for I see no need to.  I learned
German due to the fact that I was stationed in Germany while in the USAF.
Have I used it since I have been back to the states?  No because I have no
need to.  If the FCC decides to drop the code requirement for the General
class license, I will study my a$$ off for the theory and rules and regs,
but until the FCC does that, I will stay a "No-Code" Tech.

I know of many very qualified folks that would have made excellent ham
operators, but because of some unfortunate instances with some die-hard CW
operators telling them that code was the only TRUE mode of communicating on
the ham bands, they looked at learning the code as a sort of hazing that
they didn't want to go through.  Unfortunately, that was ham radio's loss.

Yes, ham radio is a service.  If any of you doubt that, look at the Gulf
Coast last year.  Read about the hams that work the Indianapolis 500
Festival Parade and Mini Marathon on the ARRL's web page at this link:
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2006/03/06/1/?nc=1, or any of the other
instances where ham radio operators provide the service of communications to
areas that have no communication due to natural disasters, or public events
that we as communicators are uniquely equipped to provide, and usually, in
the case of natural disasters, at a moments notice.

Joe Montano
N9VMO