[Qcwa] CW requirement

[Jim Wilhite]

Jeff:

Relevancy?  CW is relevant since it is still in use and is
allowed by the regulations, to me, this is just a issue of
testing.
It is the most basic form of communication allowed by the regs
and I feel that if it is allowed some proficiency should be
required by our higher class of licensees.  I haven't had a code
contact since about 1973, yet in March of 2000 I passed the extra
test with both the 1 min. copy and the 10 question test.  It is
something that will stay with a person if interested.

Some people will call it a filter but nothing will filter the
fools and idiots who are indecent on the air.  It is just some
fools and idiots will not take the time to learn the code, but
will memorize more questions for a written test, which will have
the effect of keeping some off our bands in the Extra portion.
I, like you, have been a ham for a very long time and remember
since my first license in 1957 squabbles and turf wars.  Nothing
but common sense and diplomacy will cure those kinds of people.
I just don't feel that adding 5 more questions to a written exam
will prepare someone for any license, but some kind of hand, ear,
eye coordination should be required for the highest license.  If
I am not mistaken, your first test for the General required you
draw diagrams and explain functions of certain components.  They
were trying to train us to repair our own equipment.  In my case,
it worked and while I do own some appliance radios, I repair them
if I have the equipment to do so.

Fine for the beginner and intermediate license holder to not have
any code proficiency, but as one advances, skill levels to a
certain extent should be proven in all our allowed modes,
including CW.  The testing should be relevant and as long as CW
is allowed on the bands, one should know about it if they are
allowed to operate it.  I have absolutely no interest in
Satellite communications, but had to answer questions about it on
my Extra test.  I guess I could say Why?  It is not relevant to
me or my operations.  I feel the same should be true of CW for
people who desire the Extra even though they never use the mode.

Jeff the Extra is just the highest class of license, and I
believe, the knowledge base for that license should be broader
and include knowledge of all modes allowed under the regulations.
This paragraph explains to me, especially the advancing skills
part, why CW should be relevant to the Extra license.  Would it
not be "advancing skills"?  CW is basic, Satellite is basic and
digital using octagonal phase modulation is advancing.  Strangely
enough, analog to digital, transference by some method, then from
digital to analog.  To me, CW is digital without all the fancy
stuff in between.

 (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through
> >rules which provide for advancing skills in both the
communication and
> >technical phases of the art.


73  Jim
de W5JO



> What I'm trying to point out is the relevancy of the testing
requirements.
> Morse code proficiency isn't  relevant any more. It hasn't been
for
> quite some time.
> And as you pointed out, spark was outlawed. So far, that's the
ONLY mode
> that
> has been outlawed by the FCC. But the "test for morse code
proficiency"
> people
> keep acting like eliminating the code test requirement is the
same thing
> as outlawing
> morse code and CW on the amateur bands.
>
> I've made it quite clear a number of times in the past that the
testing
> requirements
> should be relevant to current technology, modes of operation
and
> regulations.
>
> I've also pointed out that morse code has done NOTHING to
eliminate the
> morons from the amateur radio bands. (Witness the usual
nonsense on the
> upper ends of 80 and 40 meters. Those are ALL code tested
licensees.)
>
> >                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
> >
> >                         COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
> >
> >PART 97--AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE--Table of Contents
> >
> >                      Subpart A--General Provisions
> >
> >Sec. 97.1  Basis and purpose.
> >
> >
> >    The rules and regulations in this part are designed to
provide an
> >amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as
expressed in the
> >following principles:
> >    (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the
amateur service
> >to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication
service,
> >particularly with respect to providing emergency
communications.
> >    (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven
ability to
> >contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
> >    (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service
through
> >rules which provide for advancing skills in both the
communication and
> >technical phases of the art.
> >    (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur
radio
> >service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics
experts.
> >    (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique
ability to
> >enhance international goodwill.
> >
> Funny, I don't believe I see ANYTHING in there about it being a
hobby,
> or heritage.
> Specifically, tell me how morse code proficiency relates to
paragraph (b)
>
> Jeff