[PaQSO] saving cw requirement

[Larry G]

Greetings All,
           I appreciate all the comments on cw.   Yes we can use the
technically gifted youth of today and the current digital modes of today are
a lot of fun and will steadily improve,  especially with the help of todays
graduates.
             I do not consider myself a proficient contest cw operator but I
enjoy running cw for weak signal contacts on vhf and 10 meters.   I got my
Extra the old way.   I have been around ham radio since 1965.   I never had
a problem with the 20 wpm code tests but stumbled with the written exam.   I
never had an interest in VEs, reciprocal licensing,  or memorizing all
available repeater frequencies.   I was very disappointed at first when they
lowered the cw requirement .   I always felt they needed to save the
integrity of the Extra Class license.   I still believe it should be
included for the most desired license.  It will forever be the most reliable
mode of communications during worst case conditions.  You don't need a
digital interface - computer or extension to the rig -  just a good ear and
a knowlege of the code.
              After getting my Extra and elmering a couple of new hams into
becoming proficient all mode operators,  I felt the need to become a VE so
that more test sessions could be held allowing those interested in becoming
hams would be able to tested in their area on a regular basis.   The extra
effort to learn and understand the whole of ham radio opens up a new world .
If not,  you have a breed of glorified telephone talkers using repeaters
exclusively and sounding like untrained operators of that "other band".
That is where clubs that participate in contests like FD and training
sessions turn out the best operators that can make ham radio proud.
               We all know why the interest in numbers.   Releasing the cw
requirement  will surely help improve those numbers.  Having HF phone
privileges at the entry level will not improve the picture.   Even so there
are times 75 meters sounds like that other band.   I do agree that first
phone privileges should be other than 10 meters where contacts become
difficult during the bottom of the solar cycle.   By showing good operating
habits over the air,  the future of ham radio could remain a communication
media to be proud of for many more years to come.    My vote is to retain
5wpm cw for Extra Class,  not to eliminate the requirement entirely.   In
any case,   if contests retain a cw portion,  us "old-timers" will retain
the records for years and the newbies won't stand a chance.   The old school
wasn't a bad school after all.
73s de Larry N3CR
Extra Class of '97