[PaQSO] Preserving CW

[Goody]

> CW is the ONE & ONLY aspect of the present Amateur Radio Examinations,
where
> the examinee CANNOT FAKE IT !  You either know it, or you don't !  If you
> don't know it, you FAIL - - - -and, unfortunately in the minds of
many - - -
> FAILURE is not an option !  Consequently, "I don't want to be embarrassed
by
> FAILURE, so, LET'S ELIMINATE the possibility of MY FAILURE, - - -JUST FOR
ME

You can cheat on the CW or written test by having someone else with a fake
ID take the test for you, or by bribing a VE.  You can "fake" copying CW
during a QSO by using a computer.  You can cheat in the PA QSO Party, or
most any other contest.  But you can't cheat on or fake being a role model
for new or existing no code hams by teaching them the art of CW and
mentoring them to become proficient CW ops.

Failure isn't an option in my game plan.  I refuse to let CW die.  I refuse
to let Amateur Radio die.  I refuse to let anyone trample the spirit of
Amateur Radio or the spirit of those who come into this great hobby,
regardless of the tests they took or didn't take to get here.  We're all
hams.  We love the magic of radio -- that's why we're here.

Now is the time to stand up and be counted.  Do you want to preserve *a
testing requirement*, or do you want to preserve *the Art of CW* ?  It seems
to me too many folks are focused on the former which is essentially a vain
effort and a path to failure for both CW and Amateur Radio, and have given
up on the latter, which is a wide open opportunity in which we can all shine
and carry on the true spirit and legacy of Amateur Radio.

dit dit
73
Goody
K3NG