From: whs70@dancer.uucp (22501-sohl)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Speaking of code...
Date: 6 Nov 92 16:52:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ

In article <1992Nov6.093538.1@kean.ucs.mun.ca> jcraig@kean.ucs.mun.ca writes:
>In article <1992Nov05.213616.6628@mixcom.com>, kevin.jessup <kevin.jessup@mixcom.mixcom.com> writes:
>> I have an MSEE.  I am not a HAM (yet).  My specialty is software
>> and Digital Signal Processing (read: I know my analog!).  
>> Why do I have to learn code to become a HAM (below 30 MHz)?
>> Just what is the fascination with this archaic means of communication?
>> I understand the "romance" with the old days but give me a break!
 additional commentary by Kevin deleted for brevity...
>
>Hey, I felt exactly the same way when I was 14 while studying for my
>ticket. "Bloody code... can't wait till I get my advanced to get on SSB"
>(back in those days you had to operate CW for 1 year before you could
>write your advanced test which included 15 WPM). 
>Well a year passed and then another... 6 years later I wrote the advanced.
>SSB was a complete letdown. I may have had 100 contacts.  I tried RTTY and
>packet too. They lost their appeal once I got bored with them.
>CW is my favourite and if I didn't have the damn Morse rammed down my
>throat, I wouldn't be on the air today.  
>   
>The CW basher--> CW lover transition isn't exceptional. I'd be interested
>in seeing some stats on how many amateurs have experienced this.
>
>If you don't want to try CW, then I believe your FCC allows 
>experimentation with the digital modes on VHF without a code test.
>Good luck and have fun!
>Joe, VO1NA 

Unfortunately nothing in Joe's reply to Kevin provides any logical
justification/response to Kevin's query.  The fact that Joe ultimately 
loved CW does not serve as a valid reason for everyone to be required to
learn CW at speeds greater than 5wpm (if at all) in order to utilize
the HF non-CW modes.  Seems to me that a perosn of Kevin's background
would be an excellent addition to the ham community, yet the USA licensing
structure limits his abilities to operate HF unless he learns CW at 
at least 5wpm (to gain Novice freq. access) and forbids HF use in all
other HF frequencies unless he learns CW at 13wpm.

As a tech++ ham for 30 years, I have not operated CW since my novice
license expired.  At least one poster made the accusation that I must
just be lazy to not take the time/effort to work up to 13wpm.  Sorry
to disappoint that individual, but I'll compare activity schedules to
anyone that chooses to take such a knee-jerk position.  My operation
today is confined to 2m/70cm FM because that's all the time and space
I can devote to it for now.  Guess that makes me lazy too.  

For those that love CW, great, enjoy it to your hearts content.  I'll
be the first to defend your right to continue using it forever, BUT
please don't assume that EVERYONE else will share that love.  Lastly,
and I'm not about to support retesting, I'd be curious to see just
what percentage of current general class hams can still receive 13wpm?
I'd bet there's a sizeable percentage of those generals that have
not operated CW for years that wouldn't "measure up."  I'd also bet that
many of those generals that might not be able to copy 13wpm are very
valued members of the ham community.  Just something
to consider:-)

Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.
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Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!dancer!whs70
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Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc