Geoffrey S. Mendelson wrote:
In article .com, bb wrote:
Maybe they are on FM yet not trapped at all. Maybe if you let Dee and
Dan finish their thoughts on why they think the Techs are trapped we
would have something worth discussing.

My experience, which is now 8 years out of date, is that the techs did not
own the kind of station that you need to operate ssb or cw in a contest.
We would go to a friends house who had a wider range of bands (6m,2m,220,440
and 1.2gHz) than we had at home and work the contest from their using his
call sign.

It was quite fun, he had a barbecue in the summer and pizza in the fall.

One guy (a tech) would show up with a commander 2m amp at 1pm, spend
an hour getting ready and would not leave it except for "nature breaks"
and grabbing some food for the entire contest unless someone asked to
work 2m.

Geoff.

In the USA, the FM equipment has hit rock bottom in the last few years.
Almost any amateur of any income level can purchase new FM equipment.
Multi-mode rigs of course are much more expensive. Many, but not most
of the Techs that I knew had at least 2M ssb.

Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:

I and the OM also worked some of the VHF contest and noticed a very
strange
thing. Only 10% of the contacts that we made were Technician
operators.
On
the other hand, 80% of them were Extra class operators. So where
are
all
the Techs who are "trapped" in VHF and above because they "can't"
pass
the
code (as some would have us believe)?

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee, I'm going to guess (i.e., don't ask me for facts, figures,
substantive studies, reports from the FCC/ARRL, etc) that of the
Techs
that have stayed in amateur radio, most have done so for the
emergency
communications aspect of the service. As such, they would typically
stay on FM.

The ones who could learn Morse Code and have had to time to do so
have
moved up. Those who didn't have the time or couldn't learn it have
moved on.


There are none who cannot learn the code.

Really? Why do you say that?

Because they have already learned many things far tougher than the code.

What kind of things?


Not all items apply to all people but here are a few: Walking, talking,
reading, writing, riding a bicycle, skating, mathematics, any sport at even
the the most rudimentary level, playing any musical instrument at even the
most rudimentary level, computer literacy, typing, college courses. The
list could go on, but just about everything mental or physical a person has
learned is harder than code.

Can you play the string bass?

There's an FCC sticker on teh back of my stereo. What if the FCC were
to make it a requirement that you have to pass a string bass exam in
order to play music on your stereo?

However there are those for whom
other activities can and should have priority on their time. However
that
is no excuse for eliminating it as a test element since the same
argument
can be applied to the theory.

You hold a very interesting point of view. You say that since everyone
can learn the code, that it must be retained as a test element?

No it should be retained because it is one of the basics of amateur radio
along with things like Ohm's law, propagation, etc.

No other operating mode/skill has a practical pass/fail exam. That
makes it arbitrary.


All the tests are arbitrary as well as is the material chosen for coverage.

They are?

I say that it should be removed as a test element because it no longer
serves a regulatory purpose.

That's a matter of opinion.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Please state the regulatory purpose that a Morse Code exam and CW use
provides.


The regulator purpose of the exam is that it shows the candidate knows that
particular basic of ham radio.

But why no other practical operating exam for other modes?

No one has ever claimed that CW use or the use of any other mode (SSB,
non-code digital) provides a regulatory purpose.

No mode is mandated, yet we have a practical operating pass/fail exam
for one mode. That is arbitrary.

However throwing that
comment into the discussion illustrates that you wish to get rid of not only
the test but the use of CW.

Dee, not at all. I wish only the arbitrary Morse/Farnsworth Exams to
be retired.

But recognize that the FCC mandates the use no particular mode. You
can use CW all you want or not us it at all. So why is there a
practical operating exam for this one mode but not all other modes?

And why is CW use allowed by No-Code Technicians on VHF, but not HF?

Why did Jim Miccolis N2EY say about Hans restructuring proposal, that a
CW exam would be a barrier to CW use?

So I will not continue to participate in this thread.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

I understand how uneasy it must make you to have to face the truth of
arbitrary licensing requirements and still advocate a Morse/Farnsworth
Exam.

If you wish to discontinue healthy, legitimate discourse with respect
to amateur policy, I understand. It is not for the faint of heart.

Best of Luck, Brian

Dee Flint wrote:
"Dee Flint" wrote in message
news

"bb" wrote in message

No one has ever claimed that CW use or the use of any other mode (SSB,
non-code digital) provides a regulatory purpose. However throwing that
comment into the discussion illustrates that you wish to get rid of not
only the test but the use of CW. So I will not continue to participate in
this thread.

Correction:

"So I will not continue replying to your comments in this thread"

Some people here will interpret my previous comment to mean I'll not reply
to any people in this thread and that may or may not be the case depending
on how interesting their comments are.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

I'm sorry that legitimate, civil discourse on amateur radio policy has
you upset. The past couple of days exchanges has been more policy
discussion that this group has seen in years. It's too bad that you
want to abstain just when I thought we were getting somewhere. Your
core beliefs about amateur radio must have been shaken, so I wish you a
speedy recovery.

wrote:
From: "Dan/W4NTI" on Sun 19 Jun 2005 00:07


"bb" wrote in message

You sir, are nothing but a agitator and a disgrace to ham radio in general,
assuming you have a license that is.

Godwin invoked. [ :-) ]

Attitude-wise, Dan = Stebie.



ALL shall march to the same drummer, in ranks, with one voice
counting cadence as taught in the Church of St. Hiram. NONE
shall speak against the Elite, the PCTA Extras.

ONE "service," all wearing the same "uniform." Totalitarian.




Len, it looks like Dan and Dee have bailed out on civil, legitimate
discourse on amateur radio policy. Dave has made himself pretty scarce
as well.

I see there's a Jim Miccolis N2EY posting below. I haven't gotten to
it yet, as I'm saving the best for last. Hope he doesn't disappoint as
he has ever since he made the comment, "A Morse Exam would be a barrier
to CW use."

bb

Jim Hampton wrote:

Funny thing is that if you do get to a reasonable level of code proficiency
(as required by the General class and above back when) there was yet another
danger: you just might enjoy it )

Now thats a real danger! Hams having fun. ;^)

bb wrote:
wrote:
From: "Dan/W4NTI" on Sun 19 Jun 2005 00:07


"bb" wrote in message

You sir, are nothing but a agitator and a disgrace to ham radio in general,
assuming you have a license that is.

Godwin invoked. [ :-) ]

Attitude-wise, Dan = Stebie.



ALL shall march to the same drummer, in ranks, with one voice
counting cadence as taught in the Church of St. Hiram. NONE
shall speak against the Elite, the PCTA Extras.

ONE "service," all wearing the same "uniform." Totalitarian.




Len, it looks like Dan and Dee have bailed out on civil, legitimate
discourse on amateur radio policy. Dave has made himself pretty scarce
as well.

I see there's a Jim Miccolis N2EY posting below. I haven't gotten to
it yet, as I'm saving the best for last. Hope he doesn't disappoint as
he has ever since he made the comment, "A Morse Exam would be a barrier
to CW use."

bb

Welp, Jim continues to disappoint. He's made some vague denials as
usual, nothing substantive.

bb

From: "bb" on Sun 19 Jun 2005 08:50


wrote:
From: "Dan/W4NTI" on Sun 19 Jun 2005 00:07


"bb" wrote in message

You sir, are nothing but a agitator and a disgrace to ham radio in general,
assuming you have a license that is.

Godwin invoked. [ :-) ]

Attitude-wise, Dan = Stebie.

ALL shall march to the same drummer, in ranks, with one voice
counting cadence as taught in the Church of St. Hiram. NONE
shall speak against the Elite, the PCTA Extras.

ONE "service," all wearing the same "uniform." Totalitarian.


Len, it looks like Dan and Dee have bailed out on civil, legitimate
discourse on amateur radio policy. Dave has made himself pretty scarce
as well.

Maybe there's been some band openings to France on 6m?

Dan and Dave and the remaining living PCTAs haven't much changed
since '98 in here. They command a consensus of common thought;
i.e., CONCEDE to THEIR consensus, none others.

I see there's a Jim Miccolis N2EY posting below. I haven't gotten to
it yet, as I'm saving the best for last. Hope he doesn't disappoint as
he has ever since he made the comment, "A Morse Exam would be a barrier
to CW use."

Oh, oh...dat put Sister Nun of the Above into ruler-spank mode
again. She demand posting quote of where, when she make dat.
Dis be court of law! Bang da gavel, heah come de judge, heah
come de judge...

Jimmie can't bear to acknowledge that the current percentage of
Technician and Technican Plus class licensees are now at 48.4
percent of all individual (non-club) licensees in the USA.
Jimmie has to rationalize that with all sorts of rather irrelevant
"excuses" common to the Elitist PCTA viewpoint of all those
commonfolk not embracing morsemanship with loving open arms.

ARS (aka Archaic Radiotelegraphy Society) is in full flower in
here, their self-appointed self-righteous "representatives"
damning all who do not respect their mighty elitist rule. The
ARS only has "fun" when all licensees do as the Elites do, that
is, doing narrowband morse beeping.

The LAW is the LAW and NO LAWS CAN EVER BE CHANGED according to
these "guardians of amateur paradise." Code test MUST remain.
PCTA say so. No arguments against. Period. [sigh...]

Happy Father's Day to you, Brian.

"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:

I and the OM also worked some of the VHF contest and noticed a
very
strange
thing. Only 10% of the contacts that we made were Technician
operators.
On
the other hand, 80% of them were Extra class operators. So
where
are
all
the Techs who are "trapped" in VHF and above because they
"can't"
pass
the
code (as some would have us believe)?

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Dee, I'm going to guess (i.e., don't ask me for facts, figures,
substantive studies, reports from the FCC/ARRL, etc) that of the
Techs
that have stayed in amateur radio, most have done so for the
emergency
communications aspect of the service. As such, they would
typically
stay on FM.

The ones who could learn Morse Code and have had to time to do so
have
moved up. Those who didn't have the time or couldn't learn it
have
moved on.


There are none who cannot learn the code.

Really? Why do you say that?

Because they have already learned many things far tougher than the
code.

What kind of things?


Not all items apply to all people but here are a few: Walking, talking,
reading, writing, riding a bicycle, skating, mathematics, any sport at
even
the the most rudimentary level, playing any musical instrument at even
the
most rudimentary level, computer literacy, typing, college courses. The
list could go on, but just about everything mental or physical a person
has
learned is harder than code.

Can you play the string bass?

There's an FCC sticker on teh back of my stereo. What if the FCC were
to make it a requirement that you have to pass a string bass exam in
order to play music on your stereo?

However there are those for whom
other activities can and should have priority on their time.
However
that
is no excuse for eliminating it as a test element since the same
argument
can be applied to the theory.

You hold a very interesting point of view. You say that since
everyone
can learn the code, that it must be retained as a test element?

No it should be retained because it is one of the basics of amateur
radio
along with things like Ohm's law, propagation, etc.

No other operating mode/skill has a practical pass/fail exam. That
makes it arbitrary.


All the tests are arbitrary as well as is the material chosen for
coverage.

They are?

I say that it should be removed as a test element because it no
longer
serves a regulatory purpose.

That's a matter of opinion.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Please state the regulatory purpose that a Morse Code exam and CW use
provides.


The regulator purpose of the exam is that it shows the candidate knows
that
particular basic of ham radio.

But why no other practical operating exam for other modes?

No one has ever claimed that CW use or the use of any other mode (SSB,
non-code digital) provides a regulatory purpose.

No mode is mandated, yet we have a practical operating pass/fail exam
for one mode. That is arbitrary.

However throwing that
comment into the discussion illustrates that you wish to get rid of not
only
the test but the use of CW.

Dee, not at all. I wish only the arbitrary Morse/Farnsworth Exams to
be retired.

But recognize that the FCC mandates the use no particular mode. You
can use CW all you want or not us it at all. So why is there a
practical operating exam for this one mode but not all other modes?

And why is CW use allowed by No-Code Technicians on VHF, but not HF?

Why did Jim Miccolis N2EY say about Hans restructuring proposal, that a
CW exam would be a barrier to CW use?

So I will not continue to participate in this thread.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

I understand how uneasy it must make you to have to face the truth of
arbitrary licensing requirements and still advocate a Morse/Farnsworth
Exam.


Ok, one more round but that's it. All the licensing requirements are
arbitrary. Every single one of them. There are several radio services for
which no testing is required. So if some services do not need testing, then
it is arbitrary for those that do. However the goals and purposes of
amateur radio make it desireable to test candidates for these licenses.

If you wish to discontinue healthy, legitimate discourse with respect
to amateur policy, I understand. It is not for the faint of heart.

Best of Luck, Brian


The problem with the Morse discussion is that every possible conceivable
argument on either side has been aired dozens, if not hundreds, of times.
It is not healthy to continue discussing this policy issue. No new data
comes to light. No new rational has come up. There's no point in rehashing
the same issues. Sooner or later the FCC will rule and we'll all have to
live with the consequences good or bad.

If the result is as the NCTA state that it will be, i.e. a big wave of new
hams plus a big wave of hams upgrading and getting on HF, just watch the DX
stations, especially the rare ones, hide down on CW even more than they are
now. If you exclude Japan, the US has more amateur radio operators than the
rest of the world combined. If the bands get as busy as the NCTAs imply
they will from this rush of new and upgrading hams, a lot of us will be
drifting even more to CW just to find some room.

On the other hand, if the PCTAs are correct, i.e. the impact will be
insignificant just as other changes of the recent past have been, then there
is NO reason to change the requirements. Changes that have little to no
noticeable impact aren't worth the bother of implementing.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"bb" wrote in message
oups.com...


Dee Flint wrote:

I'm sorry that legitimate, civil discourse on amateur radio policy has
you upset. The past couple of days exchanges has been more policy
discussion that this group has seen in years. It's too bad that you
want to abstain just when I thought we were getting somewhere. Your
core beliefs about amateur radio must have been shaken, so I wish you a
speedy recovery.


Doesn't bother me in the least. Nor are my beliefs shaken. It is simply a
waste of your time and my time for either of us to continue further when it
is quite obvious that each of us is firm in our point of view.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

From: Dee Flint on Jun 19, 1:40 pm


"bb" wrote in message
Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
Dee Flint wrote:
"bb" wrote in message
Dee Flint wrote:


I understand how uneasy it must make you to have to face the truth of
arbitrary licensing requirements and still advocate a Morse/Farnsworth
Exam.

Ok, one more round but that's it. All the licensing requirements are
arbitrary. Every single one of them.

HERESY! Wash your mouth out with soap! How dare you say that?!?

Test Element One is the LAW! That LAW! can't be changed!


There are several radio services for which no testing is required.

Irrelevant. OTHER radio services are NOT amateur radio!

So if some services do not need testing, then
it is arbitrary for those that do. However the goals and purposes of
amateur radio make it desireable to test candidates for these licenses.

EVERYBODY has to test for morsemanship for below 30 MHz.

FINAL. The Elite PCTA have spoken. No arguments against.


If you wish to discontinue healthy, legitimate discourse with respect
to amateur policy, I understand. It is not for the faint of heart.

Best of Luck, Brian

The problem with the Morse discussion is that every possible conceivable
argument on either side has been aired dozens, if not hundreds, of times.

Elite PCTA have spoken. No arguments against them.

It is not healthy to continue discussing this policy issue.

True. Two Elite PCTA have died since 1999.

No new data comes to light.

NO new data PERMITTED in here.

No new rational has come up.

WRONG. Rationales and rationalizations of ancient reasons abound.

Elite PCTA have spoken. No arguments against them.

There's no point in rehashing the same issues.

Elite PCTA have spoken. No arguments against them.


If the result is as the NCTA state that it will be, i.e. a big wave of new
hams plus a big wave of hams upgrading and getting on HF, just watch the DX
stations, especially the rare ones, hide down on CW even more than they are
now.

Who say "big wave on HF coming if no code test?" Who? WHO?

Show reference, show work.


If you exclude Japan, the US has more amateur radio operators than the
rest of the world combined. If the bands get as busy as the NCTAs imply
they will from this rush of new and upgrading hams, a lot of us will be
drifting even more to CW just to find some room.

Ham bands get crowded? Hams ask for more bandwidth. Simple.

Ask ARRL to lobby for more bandspace. ARRL "representative of 'all'
hams."

Not too swift. ARRL try to get new band at 60 meters, get only
five channels. League not very good now. Why not?

PCTA Elite at "inside" of league, should be able to effect what
they want. FCC no give. Why that?


On the other hand, if the PCTAs are correct, i.e. the impact will be
insignificant just as other changes of the recent past have been, then there
is NO reason to change the requirements.

Old = Good. Change = bad.


Changes that have little to no
noticeable impact aren't worth the bother of implementing.

"I'm all right, Jack!" [old Brit saying]

"We've got ours, nyah, nyah, nyah" [old childhood taunt]

All must show DEDICATION and COMMITMENT to AMATEUR COMMUNITY
by learning and testing for morse code! [PCTA mantra]


Meanwhile, since 1991, that no-code-test (horrid!) Technician
class license got OVER a HUNDRED THOUSAND *NEW* radio amateurs
BEFORE restructuring. Many, many more new than all the other
old classes combined and the only ones which contributed to
holding the average total licensee numbers not quite constant.

Right now, the two Technician class licensees make up 48.4%
of ALL invidual (non-club) licensees and it keeps rising and
rising and rising. Why that? The Novice class, the supposed
"entry level" license NEVER grew like the no-code-test Tech
numbers. No way. You don't suppose the (dedicated, committed)
code test could have anything to do with it, do you? Of course
not. The dedicated, committed amateurs would "always" struggle
and work to learn code, the best of all possible modes, right?

Ho hum. The "arguments" continue with the PCTA Extras NOT
listening. They will not accept arguments against their beloved
code test. They are manly macho morsemen, dedicated and committed
to their "service." None shall naysay them, no way.

Screum say I (in a most non-gender-specific way, of course).

Yours most sincerely and with all best wishes,