[KYHAM] VHF/UHF Public Service

[Brandon Nuttall]

Folks,

I'm Brandon, KG4RRI. I earned a tech license about 2
years ago. 

I have a few comments on this debate.

First, concerning learning CW. That has always been my
goal. However, I have run into several problems, the
first being time. I have even tried listening to the
ARRL CD's while I commute between Frankfort and
Lexington. I have tried using Morse Academy on the
computer. But, amateur radio is a hobby and I have
only so much time. I'd love to take Bill's CW class,
but time is again difficult. Too many years ago, I had
a Morse Code class as a Boy Scout (didn't learn it
then either). The criticism is obvious: if I really
wanted to learn and use CW, I'd be disciplined enough
to set aside the time.

I have found I have some difficulty learning CW,
however. I have a devil of a time hearing the
difference between the dah and the dit. While I
probably have at least some hearing loss (I'm
certainly old enough), it may be related to the same
difficulty I have in trying to learn foreign
languages. I just can't differentiate some of the
subtle sounds that lend nuances of meaning. I know
this is just an excuse and with sufficient time and
patience I'd probably learn CW.

The second part of my comment concerns why I would
want to upgrade my license by learning CW anyway.

--- "Anthony W. DePrato" <wa4jqs@mikrotec.com> wrote:
> WHAT most do not know is that ham radio has NO
> language barriers.. even on 
> voice. handle qth rst tnx and 73 cu agn are known
> world wide.

I'm certain that this type of contact is very
enjoyable to many ham operators (or, they wouldn't
spend so much time doing it). But, for what I like to
do and what I want to get out of the hobby, no useful
information was exchanged. I could have gotten the
same satisfaction looking up someone's call sign in an
international database.

I have become interested in public service and
emergency communications (particularly ARES). I know
that CW would allow me to punch through the
interference and pass messages to Argentina on low
power. I don't want to do that. I want to be able to
legally extend my communications range from the
Frankfort area to Paducah and Pikeville. I would like
to participate in the statewide KY emergency nets.
Right now, I have several choices: operate illegally
outside the bands to which I have access (not
interested), learn CW and pass a test (interested, but
time allocation is an issue), wait and see what
happens with the FCC.

So, if I am a beneficiary of new no-code license
requirements, then I'll get to participate on 10M
activities. If the FCC rejects the petition, I'll
still make it my goal to learn CW before I have to
renew my license and I'll stick with VHF and UHF.

I certainly respect those who have not only passed the
CW test but continue to enjoy using it as often as
they can. That's just not what I want to do. In the
meantime, I'll follow the rules.

Brandon
KG4RRI
Frankfort

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