[Qcwa] CW

Sat, 6 Jul 2002 09:53:45 -0700

Surely there must be some former spark-gap ops out there who feel this new
fangled CW is wrong!

I am a 13 wpm extra, former First Class Radiotelephone with Ship Radar now
"dumbed down" to a lifetime General Radio Telephone license. Licensed at age
12 and General class at 13. Retired US Navy electronics maintenance tech
(CTM), lifetime member of QCWA and member of OOTC.   I also hold a pilots
license and there is the equivalent of the "Bash books" for FAA exams and
"cram courses" for licensing. All this bickering reminds me that some should
reread the amateur's creed from time to time..."an amateur is
progressive.."!
Remember when the AM forever guys chased SSBers to the band edges? Surely,
CW and all the other modes have their place, advantages and disadvantages.
Why not come up with a new "bragging rights" topics instead of code speed
here....how about "how many new hams have your brought into ham radio this
year?', or "I am Elmering 20 people right now!"
73
Doug K7ABX (since 1957)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Harvey" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 06, 2002 2:14 AM
Subject: [Qcwa] CW

>
>
> Gentlemen:
>
> It seems to me that the only people I ever hear complain about
> CW are those who aren't proficient at it.  Their bitterness over this
> lack of skill seems to color all they say.
>
> For my money, it's not whether the CW requirement outweighs the
> Technical exam, it's a sign that we, too, are heading into a cycle of
> "dumbing down" which every other part of our culture is now experiencing
> (with some few exceptions).
>
> Don't like the SAT?  Claim it's biased against
> minorities/females/the disadvantaged/recent immigrants.  Military boot
> camp too hard?  Separate requirements for Women so they can't fail.
> Medical/law school admissions tests too hard?  Separate requirements and
> lower required scores for the "disadvantaged".  CW requirement for the
> Extra Class exam too difficult?  KEEP the exam, but lower the required
> speed to a level which the majority already have, and make the exam
> multiple-choice so that any fool can figure out the letters they missed.
>
> I can't fly a 747.  I'd like to, but I don't have the skill.
> Can I please demand that the standards for flight school and the FAA
> exam be lowered enough for me to qualify?  Why?  Because I want it, and
> I've been frustrated, angry, and bad company for many years over it.
>
> When this whole CW debate started, I figured even the hams
> without the various CW exams under their belt would recognize the value
> of keeping the exams and the tradition going.  I am really sorry to see
> I was mistaken.  See you below .100!
>
> Bob Harvey
> K2PI
> 1991 Extra, 1997 callsign :)
>
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