[K3PZN-List] Canadian Hams and the Code

[Al Bisasky]

Hi Curt,

How I got through the 13wpm in 1980, I'll never know! I haven't done any CW 
on the air since about 1985.  I don't even own a key anymore.  I can't 
remember half the code.  I never really liked it.  So much for my story.

The changes to Part 97 proposed by the ARRL will inevetably be accepted and 
implemented by the FCC.  It's a "gravity issue" and you can't do a darned 
thing about it.  So whether you are for it or against is a moot point. 
Whether you agree or disagree with the "grandfathering" of 
Technicians-to-General is also moot.   You either live with it or get out of 
Ham Radio.  Things change.  I remember studying my heart out to pass the 
tests for a 2nd then 1st Class Radiotelephone Operator's License so that I 
could work on radio transmitters.  Five years later, the FCC changed both 
classes to General RTO and now you don't even need a license.  But I don't 
whine and moan and write letters to the FCC; I live with it.  I cherish my 
accomplishment as do I cherish my Amateur Extra even though I did not have 
to pass a 20wpm code test to get it.

I applaud each new person that gets his/her ticket and everytime that person 
upgrades to General or Extra.  If I have personally been involved with that 
person in any way and helped them along, money can't buy the good feeling 
that it gives me.  License Class does not make a good Amateur Radio 
Operator.  Being able to send and receive code at 5-, 13- or even 20wpm does 
not make a good Ham.  Whether you took your test and got your license in 
1954 or 2004 does not make a good Ham. Only those that respect the service 
and the hobby and are willing to learn the ways and keep on learning and 
improving their skills make good Hams.  I've have been at this for almost 25 
years and I'm still trying to learn.  I like it that way too.

A Ham can never impress me or earn my respect by bragging about how much he 
knows about Amateur Radio or how fast he can copy CW or when he got his 
license.  He can only earn my respect by sharing that knowledge to help and 
benefit his fellow Hams and the Amateur Radio Service.  There are many 
self-appointed Pillars of All Wisdom and Knowledge.  There are inflexible 
stoics that don't want it any other way except their way and are unable or 
unwilling to compromise, accept change and/or even respect the abilities, 
ideas and opinions of other Hams.  A few of them are members of the CCARC. 
While I treat them the same as any other Ham and smile at them and listen to 
them talk, their callsigns are filed away in my feeble brain under "L" for 
LID...

73 Al K3ZE

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Curt Milton" <wb8yyy at yahoo.com>
To: "CCARC" <K3PZN-List at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: [K3PZN-List] Canadian Hams and the Code


> Al,
>
> thanks for the post!
>
> while i wish everyone would try CW (there is no better
> mode for contesting and working DX) - its time to move
> on!
>
> there is no reason the FCC should not act today on
> ARRL recommendations!  (two or three ops in my family
> would appreciate it!).  given the plan (CW only for
> extra class) the merging of everyone into 3 classes
> makes sense.  (only novices are short-changed but with
> one test they too become general, and there are very
> few of these licenses around!)
>
> as long as everyone gets adequate spectrum for the
> modes they enjoy, we can thrive and no need for
> further debates!  no flames or bullets from me.
>
> 73, curt
>
> --- Al Bisasky <al.bisasky at verizon.net> wrote:
>
>> >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.
>>
>>
>>
> -----------------------------------------------------
>> BREAK
>> -----------------------------------------------
>> Next CCARC meeting Monday February 14, 7:30 PM at
>> the FTC.
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>
>
>
>
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