[KCDXC] re: Your Opinion Is Sought

[Bill Kuhn - MCSE]

=20
I'll take a middle ground on this..

I agree that amateur radio is a dying hobby and that the code
requirement is a definite barrier to a lot of people.

>From my limited experience (only been a ham 1.5 yrs), VHF operation just
doesn't hold much fascination other than operating as a glorified CB.
There are many cool modes and operations that can be worked, but for
beginner hams that may be more effort/expense than they want to expend.
Cell phones provide more reliable local communication in many non-hams'
view (my XYL and one son for instance).

HF on the other hand gives people the ability to talk to people all over
the world that they would not have the ability to do otherwise, and it
bring in many variables to capability - some can be easily adjusted and
some are just luck of the draw. Most people who have seen my HF rig in
operation can't help but be interested.

CW kept me from getting a license for 20+ years (yes, I'm lazy), and
I've always been fascinated by radio communications. I'm sure it is even
more of a barrier for the cell phone generation.

I think CW is both fun and efficient. The ability to have understandable
contacts with people who do not speak a word of English, and the ability
to have contacts with people when band conditions absolutely prevent SSB
is wonderful.

I think CW should be kept as a requirement for the Extra Class license.
Extra Class should be for those who really strive to be above the rest
(I'm still working on mine).

Along with that I think the current CW spectrum should be Extra Class
only except for that currently open to novice/tech plus. Give people
something to shoot for.

Other than that, open General Class up to non-CW hams. I think that
would bring a much needed flow of new hams on the air. This would give
amateur radio a much more powerful voice in spectrum battles.

My CW absolutely stinks by the way. My New Years resolution is to get up
to reasonable speed.

Just my $.02 adjusted for many years of inflation leaving me in a
serious net debt situation.

73
Bill Kuhn
KC0NYL

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Where have I been today? My current log is at..

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