[SOC] FW: UK Licensing changes

[Paul Bartlett]

As a newly qualified Foundation license holder in the UK, I think you're
being unduly pessimistic.

In the UK anyway, from what I can discern, the hobby had been slowly dying
over recent years. To many, the Morse *requirement* has been a substantial
obstacle to those who would otherwise embrace the challenge.

The Foundation licence conditions (currently) stipulate that that each
candidate should undergo a Morse 'assessment'; little more than a
demonstration but quite formidable to some nonetheless.

I made my first QSO with Bill C, K4KSR last Sunday morning (0412Z to be
precise - ohmigawd). We did little more than exchange callsigns (my Morse is
lousy..) but the buzz I got was amazing.

K2, 10W, full size G5RV (104'), no ATU and I crossed the pond at first
attempt 3620 miles receiving a 339 sig rep. in nasty conditions with a
transceiver I built myself. Wonderful!

With that kind of prize at the end of the rainbow I don't think you're going
to have to worry too much about the future of CW.

And anyhow, if the hobby declined to the point where too few people were
using the bands then I suspect the authorities would have cause to
re-allocate the frequencies.

Embrace the newcomers! We're not all ex-CB wanting more power legally.

Best,

Paul

p.s. Thanks to all on SOC who've encouraged and helped. Now to get daughter
Lauren (12) through...

P




----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Wetjen" <wd4ahz@gte.net>
To: <soc@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2003 1:22 PM
Subject: Re: [SOC] FW: UK Licensing changes


> Mike Besemer (KG8L/4) wrote:
>
> > The end is near...
>
> I'm still trying to figure something out.  On a "good day" (propagation
> wise) the bands are already crowded, where are they going to cram all
> these additional "new" HF operators?
>
> Since (apparently) no one uses CW anymore, I guess carving up the CW
> bands to make more room for the additional SSB operators is next?
>
> Ron
>
> _______________________________________________
> SOC mailing list
> SOC@mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/soc
>