So far, Switzerland, the UK and Belgium have axed the CW test.

The IARU modified s25.5 effective the 5th of July so that CW testing would
be optional for administrations.

Switzerland announced on the 6th of July that letters would be sent out to
all class 2 hams giving provisional access to HF from receipt of the
letter. By the 15th of July most Swiss hams had their letters. HB still
has a Class 3 licence with only 2m/70cm, but no CW test is required for
any licence.

The UK abolished CW as a requirement effective the 26th of July. The
licence structure is now Full, Intermediate and Foundation with different
power levels. Foundation licencees cannot use 10m. CW tests are still
available for a proficiency certificate for reciprocal operating.

Belgium abolished the CW test on the 4th of August. Class 2s have to apply
for a Class 1 licence to use HF, but it only takes three days to get one,
and no CW test is required. I understand that ON has also now introduced a
Foundation licence.

Apparently, 'Funkamateur' magazine reported (incorrectly) that Germany
would abolish CW testing on the 6th of August, but nothing happened. Now
DARC (the German ham soceity) reports that from the 15th of August German
hams with Class 2 licences will be able to use their existing calls on HF.

The German text follows:

RTA im BMWA
Klasse 2: Jetzt geht es weiter!
(11.08.03/js) Ab 15. August 2003 dürfen in Deutschland Inhaber der CEPT-
Klasse-2 mit ihrem persönlichen Rufzeichen die Kurzwellenbänder unter
Einhaltung der dafür gültigen Bedingungen benutzten. Dies teilten die
Mitarbeiter des BMWA dem RTA-Vorsitzenden bei einer Besprechung mit. Das
BMWA wird dazu noch in eine gesonderte Pressemitteilung veröffentlichen.
Weitere Einzelheiten folgen.