On 20 Jul 2005 14:51:54 -0700, wrote:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_publi...C-05-143A1.doc


73 de Jim, N2EY

It is sad, inasmuch as this definitely represents a dramatic change to
the structure of Amateur Radio in the US - Morse has been an integral
part of the hobby for as long as most anyone living can remember.

Surprisingly, there is no impetus to change the technical content of
the exams - I would have bet on that one!

There are some good things in the NPRM as well, though - the massive
proposals for upgrading hundreds of thousands of current licensees to
the next higher license class did not survive. This topic seemed to
polarize folks as much (or more than!) the Morse issue itself.

However, Morse has too big a following to just disappear from the
bands completely - it will be there for many years to come!

The feeling here in Canada is that we are probably weeks away from a
similar announcement......one which, in all probability, will mirror
the US NPRM very closely.

We'll soon see!

73, Leo