The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister to sign
the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on the 4th, and
will take effect when published in the official journal, probably either on
the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.

Alun wrote:

The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister to sign
the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on the 4th, and
will take effect when published in the official journal, probably either on
the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.


Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Mike Coslo wrote in
:

Alun wrote:

The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister to
sign the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on the
4th, and will take effect when published in the official journal,
probably either on the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.


Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -



What sort of numbers? All their no-coders are licenced for HF, and we could
probably find out how many there are, but is that what you meant?
Violations of rules by no-coders? We have that number - it's zero.

Alun wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote in
:


Alun wrote:


The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister to
sign the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on the
4th, and will take effect when published in the official journal,
probably either on the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.


Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -




What sort of numbers? All their no-coders are licenced for HF, and we could
probably find out how many there are, but is that what you meant?
Violations of rules by no-coders? We have that number - it's zero.

Hmm, I though it would be obvious. How many new hams are licensed in
the countries that have eliminated the Morse code requirement

NOw that they are rid of the evil of Morse testing, one would think
that many new hams are coming into the fold, so to speak.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Mike Coslo wrote in
:



Alun wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote in
:


Alun wrote:


The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister
to sign the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on
the 4th, and will take effect when published in the official journal,
probably either on the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.


Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -




What sort of numbers? All their no-coders are licenced for HF, and we
could probably find out how many there are, but is that what you
meant? Violations of rules by no-coders? We have that number - it's
zero.

Hmm, I though it would be obvious. How many new hams are licensed
in
the countries that have eliminated the Morse code requirement

NOw that they are rid of the evil of Morse testing, one would
think
that many new hams are coming into the fold, so to speak.

- Mike KB3EIA -




All these countries had no-code licences. So now they can use modes other
than CW on HF without having to learn CW, which is finally as it should be.
Most of the true radio enthusiasts will get whatever licence they can, even
if it doesn't allow them to do what they really want.

I always used to meet people who told me they would get a licence but for
the code test. I think we could have had them in the hobby if we had
abolished code testing 20 years ago, but I think it is too late and we have
blown it. Nobody is clamouring to becme a ham anymore.

Alun wrote:
Mike Coslo wrote in
:



Alun wrote:


Mike Coslo wrote in
:



Alun wrote:



The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister
to sign the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on
the 4th, and will take effect when published in the official journal,
probably either on the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.


Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -




What sort of numbers? All their no-coders are licenced for HF, and we
could probably find out how many there are, but is that what you
meant? Violations of rules by no-coders? We have that number - it's
zero.

Hmm, I though it would be obvious. How many new hams are licensed
in
the countries that have eliminated the Morse code requirement

NOw that they are rid of the evil of Morse testing, one would
think
that many new hams are coming into the fold, so to speak.

- Mike KB3EIA -





All these countries had no-code licences. So now they can use modes other
than CW on HF without having to learn CW, which is finally as it should be.
Most of the true radio enthusiasts will get whatever licence they can, even
if it doesn't allow them to do what they really want.

I always used to meet people who told me they would get a licence but for
the code test. I think we could have had them in the hobby if we had
abolished code testing 20 years ago, but I think it is too late and we have
blown it. Nobody is clamouring to becme a ham anymore.

My life's experience has been that for every hobby or avocation, there
is a large group of people that "would do it except for....". What they
are actually tell you when they say this is " I have a passing interest
in this. But I'm not so interested that I will become a participant".

Whether it is the Morse code requirement, or the cost of a rig or
effort of putting up an antenna, or the cost of a telescope or the need
to travel to remote areas that are dark enough or the fact that you have
to stay up all night to observe, etc, etc.

People in amateur astronomy also obsess about the graying of the hobby,
and how do we get the kids involved? Fact is, a scope that can actually
be used for any kind of passable observation costs a fair amount of
money. And ohhh geee, the dufusses that wanted to get the little kids
interested in observing seem to have forgotten that Mommy and Daddy
don't want little Buffy or Jody (and by extension, Mommy or Daddy) to be
staying up all night and traveling to remote sites.....

In ham radio, a person not only has to have the interest, they have to
be willing and able to spend a fair amount of discretionary income on a
rig, put up an antenna, (if they are even allowed to) and all the other
things we have to do to get on the air.

Any wonder why lots of the new guys are the shack on the belt types?
For kids, usually dependent upon M&D for their money, M&D are often
happy to spend 100-200 dollars on a HT. They might not look so happily
upon laying out $800-3000 for an hf rig, and putting up that antenna.
All the young hams in my area are repeater people, save for Field day.

Finally, the comparison of ham radio to the internet is amusing at
best. There is almost not technical comparison between the two. Beyond
the technogeeks such as myself, that spend a fair amount of time keeping
other peoples computers on the stinkin' Internet, the technical acumen
level is mighty darn low. How much ability is needed to surf porn?

My points are that blaming the lack of growth (which is an arguable
thing in the first place) on the Morse code test is kind of like saying
that a frog with no legs that can't jump when you tell it to jump, is deaf.

It is a hobby for the dedicated and relative few.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Subject: News from France
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 5/9/2004 8:38 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Alun wrote:

I always used to meet people who told me they would get a licence but for
the code test. I think we could have had them in the hobby if we had
abolished code testing 20 years ago, but I think it is too late and we have
blown it. Nobody is clamouring to becme a ham anymore.

WE haven't "blown" anything..."They" have had the opportunity to get a
code-free license for what...12-13 years now..?!?!

If it weren't the Code test, it would be the written....If it's not the
tests themselves, it's the perception that you have to have to have enough
equipment to rival VOA

My life's experience has been that for every hobby or avocation, there
is a large group of people that "would do it except for....". What they
are actually tell you when they say this is " I have a passing interest
in this. But I'm not so interested that I will become a participant".

In hang gliding we call them "wuffos"...

As in "Wuffo you wanna do that..???" You oughtta see the faces at
speedgliding events!

People in amateur astronomy also obsess about the graying of the hobby,

and how do we get the kids involved? Fact is, a scope that can actually
be used for any kind of passable observation costs a fair amount of
money. And ohhh geee, the dufusses that wanted to get the little kids
interested in observing seem to have forgotten that Mommy and Daddy
don't want little Buffy or Jody (and by extension, Mommy or Daddy) to be
staying up all night and traveling to remote sites.....

Sure...and why go to all that effort when you can see Jupiter a lot easier
with a bit of creative websurfing!

In ham radio, a person not only has to have the interest, they have to
be willing and able to spend a fair amount of discretionary income on a
rig, put up an antenna, (if they are even allowed to) and all the other
things we have to do to get on the air.

I guess "fair amount" is realtive. You can put up an effective HF/VHF/UHF
station for under $350/400 if you do a bit of shopping and don't want all the
latest bells and whistles. Then there are they guys with TOO MUCH
"discretionary income" and have stations who look like the aforementioned VOA
outlets!

Any wonder why lots of the new guys are the shack on the belt types?
For kids, usually dependent upon M&D for their money, M&D are often
happy to spend 100-200 dollars on a HT. They might not look so happily
upon laying out $800-3000 for an hf rig, and putting up that antenna.
All the young hams in my area are repeater people, save for Field day.

This is where "Elmering" could come in and these youngsters get introduced
to where/how to look for those used rigs.

Finally, the comparison of ham radio to the internet is amusing at
best. There is almost not technical comparison between the two. Beyond
the technogeeks such as myself, that spend a fair amount of time keeping
other peoples computers on the stinkin' Internet, the technical acumen
level is mighty darn low. How much ability is needed to surf porn?

I dunno, Mike...How much IS needed...?!?! =O =)

My points are that blaming the lack of growth (which is an arguable
thing in the first place) on the Morse code test is kind of like saying
that a frog with no legs that can't jump when you tell it to jump, is deaf.

It is a hobby for the dedicated and relative few.

Yep...like I said...Amateur Radio (for those who participate regularly) has
almost always appealed to a very narrow segment of society and always will.
All we need to do is keep it out there in front of those "potentials" and wait
for them to decide for themselves.

73

Steve, K4YZ

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in
:

Subject: News from France
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 5/9/2004 8:38 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Alun wrote:

I always used to meet people who told me they would get a licence but
for the code test. I think we could have had them in the hobby if we
had abolished code testing 20 years ago, but I think it is too late
and we have blown it. Nobody is clamouring to becme a ham anymore.

WE haven't "blown" anything..."They" have had the opportunity to
get a
code-free license for what...12-13 years now..?!?!


Nope, we needed to give them HF while they were still interested.

If it weren't the Code test, it would be the written....If it's
not the
tests themselves, it's the perception that you have to have to have
enough equipment to rival VOA

My life's experience has been that for every hobby or avocation,
there
is a large group of people that "would do it except for....". What they
are actually tell you when they say this is " I have a passing interest
in this. But I'm not so interested that I will become a participant".

In hang gliding we call them "wuffos"...

As in "Wuffo you wanna do that..???" You oughtta see the faces
at
speedgliding events!

People in amateur astronomy also obsess about the graying of the
hobby,

and how do we get the kids involved? Fact is, a scope that can actually
be used for any kind of passable observation costs a fair amount of
money. And ohhh geee, the dufusses that wanted to get the little kids
interested in observing seem to have forgotten that Mommy and Daddy
don't want little Buffy or Jody (and by extension, Mommy or Daddy) to
be staying up all night and traveling to remote sites.....

Sure...and why go to all that effort when you can see Jupiter a lot
easier
with a bit of creative websurfing!

In ham radio, a person not only has to have the interest, they
have to
be willing and able to spend a fair amount of discretionary income on a
rig, put up an antenna, (if they are even allowed to) and all the other
things we have to do to get on the air.

I guess "fair amount" is realtive. You can put up an effective
HF/VHF/UHF
station for under $350/400 if you do a bit of shopping and don't want
all the latest bells and whistles. Then there are they guys with TOO
MUCH "discretionary income" and have stations who look like the
aforementioned VOA outlets!

Any wonder why lots of the new guys are the shack on the belt
types?
For kids, usually dependent upon M&D for their money, M&D are often
happy to spend 100-200 dollars on a HT. They might not look so happily
upon laying out $800-3000 for an hf rig, and putting up that antenna.
All the young hams in my area are repeater people, save for Field day.

This is where "Elmering" could come in and these youngsters get
introduced
to where/how to look for those used rigs.

Absolutely


Finally, the comparison of ham radio to the internet is amusing at
best. There is almost not technical comparison between the two. Beyond
the technogeeks such as myself, that spend a fair amount of time
keeping other peoples computers on the stinkin' Internet, the technical
acumen level is mighty darn low. How much ability is needed to surf
porn?

I dunno, Mike...How much IS needed...?!?! =O =)

My points are that blaming the lack of growth (which is an
arguable
thing in the first place) on the Morse code test is kind of like saying
that a frog with no legs that can't jump when you tell it to jump, is
deaf.

It is a hobby for the dedicated and relative few.

Yep...like I said...Amateur Radio (for those who participate
regularly) has
almost always appealed to a very narrow segment of society and always
will. All we need to do is keep it out there in front of those
"potentials" and wait for them to decide for themselves.

73

Steve, K4YZ

Subject: News from France
From: Alun
Date: 5/9/2004 9:13 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

(Steve Robeson K4CAP) wrote in
:

WE haven't "blown" anything..."They" have had the opportunity to
get a
code-free license for what...12-13 years now..?!?!


Nope, we needed to give them HF while they were still interested.

And once we "gave" it to them, Alun, what do you think they would have
done with it?

This is where "Elmering" could come in and these youngsters get
introduced
to where/how to look for those used rigs.

Absolutely

I forgot to add "what" to look for. No use letting them look if they
don't knw what to get! =)

73

Steve, K4YZ

Alun wrote in message .. .
Mike Coslo wrote in
:

Alun wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote in
:

Alun wrote:

The French have been waitng for some time for a government minister
to sign the rule change abolishing their code test. It was signed on
the 4th, and will take effect when published in the official journal,
probably either on the 14th or 21st of May, 2004.

Have any numbers on the impact of this Morse code abolition? The
earliest countries to dump Morse should have some numbers that reflect
the change one way or the other.

- Mike KB3EIA -

What sort of numbers?

1) Numbers of new hams who got licenses since the code test was
removed, compared to the number who got licenses for a similar time
period before it was removed.

2) Numbers of new hams who got HF licenses since the code test was
removed, compared to the number who got HF licenses for a similar time
period before it was removed.

3) Numbers of existing hams who upgraded to HF licenses since the code
test was removed, compared to the number who upgraded for a similar
time period before it was removed.

4) Numbers of new hams who actually get on the air, by band and mode,
since the code test was removed, compared to the number who did so for
a similar time period before it was removed.

All their no-coders are licenced for HF, and we
could probably find out how many there are, but is that what you
meant?

See above.

Violations of rules by no-coders? We have that number - it's
zero.

Do we really have that number, or is it just "we haven't heard of
any"? Sounds a lot like the BPL folks who say "we haven't gotten any
interference complaints".

Hmm, I though it would be obvious. How many new hams are licensed
in the countries that have eliminated the Morse code requirement

NOw that they are rid of the evil of Morse testing, one would
think
that many new hams are coming into the fold, so to speak.

See above.

All these countries had no-code licences. So now they can use modes other
than CW on HF without having to learn CW, which is finally as it should be.
Most of the true radio enthusiasts will get whatever licence they can, even
if it doesn't allow them to do what they really want.

I'm not sure at all what you mean.

I always used to meet people who told me they would get a licence but for
the code test.

Me too.

I've also met people who told me they would get a license but for the
*written* test. Or the high cost (to them) of equipment. Or the size
of the antennas. Or the time/money/space/work required to set up an
antenna.

I've also met people who told me they would get a license but for
their job, spouse, kids, extended family, living situation, school
situation, other commitments, etc., etc., etc.

I think we could have had them in the hobby if we had
abolished code testing 20 years ago, but I think it is too late and we have
blown it.

The Technician lost its code test more than 13 years ago. It's been
possible to get full HF privileges in the USA since 1990 with just a 5
wpm code test (medical waivers, then restructuring).

Most of all, code testing could not have been fully eliminated 20
years ago because of S25.5. Nor even 20 months ago.

Nobody is clamouring to becme a ham anymore.

Sure they are - otherwise the number of hams would be dropping like a
stone.

Let's do some math:

There are about 682,000 US hams right now. That's currently licensed
individuals, not clubs or folks in the grace period.

Suppose the *average* ham career lasts 40years. Yes we all know plenty
of folks who have been licensed longer, but there are also folks who
will have to reach their 100th birthday to do that.

If the average ham career lasts 40years, it works out that 2.5% of the
ham population drops out per year. 2.5% of 682,000 is 17,050, so we
must get 17,050 new hams per year just to keep up with the losses.

You can work out the numbers for any given "ham career" time.

Now of course it's not enough just to stay even. But still more
important is the number of *active* hams.


73 de Jim, N2EY