[K3PZN-List] Canadian Hams and the Code

[Al Bisasky]

>From the ARRL website www.arrrl.net

PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

Industry Canada reports "overwhelming agreement" to drop Morse requirement 
(Jan 20, 2005) -- Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) reports that an Industry 
Canada (IC) analysis has found "overwhelming agreement" that Canada should 
move away from retaining a Morse code requirement as "the sole means of 
gaining access" to the HF amateur bands. IC has posted a summary of comments 
from the amateur community to RAC's Recommendations from Radio Amateurs of 
Canada to Industry Canada concerning Morse Code and Related Matters. Said 
RAC, "Amateurs should note that while the responses heavily favored deletion 
of the Morse Qualification as a requirement for access to the HF bands, 
Industry Canada still has to make and announce a decision on Morse retention 
or deletion." IC said there were 123 comments in favor of relaxed code 
requirements and only 19 "clearly opposed." Another six comments were 
inconclusive. The regulatory agency also has attempted to gauge the level of 
support for each of RAC's 12 license restructuring recommendations and said 
it would formulate a plan to implement changes emerging from the 
consultation process. RAC notes that until IC announces a decision to delete 
Morse, Canadian amateurs not holding the Morse Qualification may not operate 
on the HF bands.