From: phantom@pro-haven.cts.com (Tiffany Keller)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: W5YI report..
Date: 15 Oct 92 13:26:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: pro-have.jf30586
Organization: ProLine [pro-haven] - Pariahs' Haven BBS, 409/693-8262, 9600-300

Rich.....


In <1992Oct14.210518.24730@lambda.msfc.nasa.gov>
rich@theophilus.msfc.nasa.gov (Rich Krum) writes:

% As one of those "no-code tech" wanna-bees--
% 
% As I recall my prior foray into Ham Radio, the code was the big boggle.
% 
% The technical stuff and the operating rules were most reasonable.  I also
% CLEARLY remember that the reason I gave up on CB (gasp) was the general
% lawlessness and idiocy on those bands.  I agree that 5 wpm or so code should
% remain in the licence, as well as the technical knowledge, just to keep
% out many of the "idiots".  I don't doubt that I am hearing the  <click>
% of many, many, old Pharts lighting up their flamethrowers.  I do note, 
% however, that the new blood in the hobby is what's needed, not this silly
% stagnation that is going on now.  

        Well, being 20 years of age as well as a YL, I cannot see myself
fitting the above description...;-)  (Except the part about "New blood"....I
*am* that.....I've only had my license about 2 years.....)
        
        I'm afraid I must disagree with most of your comments.....CW is (in my
opinion...) *the* most reliable means of communication on the HF bands.....
Deleting the higher code requirements would undoubtedly bring on a new breed
of amateurs that would have absolutely No idea of what to do when the ssb just
doesn't cut it or when the phone bands are more crowded than the cw
ones....(This is pretty common as far as I have seen.....)
        Surely with the new multiple choice cw exams that some VE Teams are
using, you'd be able to pass 20WPM, don't you think?  It's not *that*
hard....Even *I* did it......(Pending new license and callsign....maybe 2 or
three weeks now!  Yippee!)
        I agree with the other gentleman.....that proposal was probably made
by someone that either can't (Or more likely *won't*...) learn the code....
        It shouldn't be as easy as passing a few muliple guess tests (without
13 or 20WPM) to get *all* HF privileges....I mean c'mon....If all of us that
are Extras now could do it, so can [most...barring a physical impairment]
Anyone else.....

% 
% I have spent the last few months with a cheap Radio Shack DX-390 sorta
% SWL receiver up on the HF ham bands, and all too often it sounds simply
% boring.  Packet, VHF, and UHF is where the technical challenge is.  CW should
% rightfully remain a permitted operating mode, but I fail to see where 20 WPM
% necessarily makes me a better person--hell, I cant even type that fast--the
% technical skill, self-policing, and other features of Ham radio is what attracts
% me.  I'm just not into using morse, unless I can do it with a computer--my
% head just doesn't work that way.

        OH NO!  Not more HAM POLICE!!! (October Issue of QST....read it.  It's
pretty funny.....)
        
% 
% Regardless of the results of this proposal, I a still working on 5 WPM code,

        Good for you! :-)

% but I seriously doubt that you'll find me on HF much.  I am also working with
% a Scout Troop here in Huntsville--I'll be there right alongside the kids
% learning code and teaching technical stuff.  It won't panic me a bit if they
% can do faster code than I can.
% 
% Let's kill the sill S#$t that runs about in the world, and get to the techie
% stuff--if the 80m Ol' Pharts want to camp there forever, its fine by me--
% I plan to have fun (legally and within the rules) elsewhere.

        Agreed!  Personally, I find 80 meters literally nausiating....All the
stupid Idiot mess they talk about......I.E.  "What's wrong with this country
[USA] is that we don't have a president (...congress, etc....) that gives a
____ (Fill in the blank...) about our country!!!..."  I think I'd be happier
if my radio didn't even *have* the ability to do anything on 80m!!!

% 
% I do suggest that the technical stuff not be diluted though--If someone is going to
% work the "advanced" bands, they better know their stuff.
% 
% BTW, I am a Computer Science type with a EE degree in my past, with more
% knowledge of old equipment and tube-type stuff than I admit to in public.  I
% am not going to claim that new is necessarily better, but I will instantly discard
% something that is old for something better.  (Anyone got any model 35 TTY's
% they need fixed?  ;>).
% 
% --rich
% 
% ---
% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
% "My opinions are my own, and my employer (Boeing Computer Support Services)
%  denies any responsibility for me, all opinions in general, and anything 
%  I may say, do, or be otherwise associated with outside of work for them.
%  -- Use at your own risk, your mileage may vary, no news is good news."
% 
%  E-MAIL REPLY TO:  rich@troll1.msfc.nasa.gov     PLEASE KEEP IT "G" RATED
% ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

        If you're content with VHF/UHF/Microwave/etc.... privileges, then you
will probably be content with only the Technician license.  Why would you
wanna mess around on HF with all of us "Old Pharts" anyway?! (hi-hi)

        (I hope this was "G RATED" enough.....No animosity towards you was
intended at all......Seriously! ;-)

        73!!!
        
        Tiffany
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