RadioBanter - View Single Post - 05-235

November 23rd 05, 02:18 AM posted to rec.radio.amateur.policy

wrote:
wrote:
From: on Wed 16 Nov 2005 19:09
wrote:
From: "Bill Sohl" on Wed 16 Nov 2005 08:35
wrote in message
an old friend wrote:
wrote:
Bill Sohl wrote:

Way back in time the pro-coders managed to set themselves up as
"extra" amateurs BECAUSE of their telegraphy skill, all through
lobbying to keep morse code as the "hot ticket."

Would that be in 1951 (when the Extra as we know it was created) or
some other time like the 1960s?

Before Restructuring took effect in 2000, the Extra code test
rate was 20 WPM. Why? Because the older-timers influencing
the NAAR lobbyists thought they were hot snit for amateur
radio because so many had been professional telegraphers.

Who, exactly, are you talking about, Len? Who are the "older timers"
and the "NAAR lobbyists?"

You seem to be saying that back about 1951 the ARRL lobbied for
the creation of the Extra, with its 20 wpm code test. Is that what
you meant?

It was a way of keeping the old pro status past retirement.
Since they were already skilled in telegraphy, they got a free
set of perquisites in a HOBBY activity.

Only if they passed the Extra written, as has already been pointed
out. But that's a different issue.