December 15, 2006 - A Day of Infamy

[w0tdh]

A direct quote from my elmer this morning. He will be 90 years young next month.
He still gets QST, drives to the store es we have four "Charlie Whiskey" skeds a week.
He served onboard a ship as "Sparks" during WW II.

Never in my 48 years as a Ham has something so serious happened to Ham Radio, as the loss of CW as a Bench Mark for becoming a Ham.

The "I Want It Now" crowd has become the Lobby against CW. In the FCC es our ARS ranks.
Not knowing any better than the way they were raised. No Draft to teach them respect.
They have no clue about Ham Radio. They just want to "Talk"!

Being a Novice Class Ham was a good thing.
It taught respect for the Hobby. It let you operate es learn about Ham Radio. Learn the Rules.
When you upgraded you knew something about the Hobby and not just given the "Priveledge "
of getting on the other Bands.

I maintain, es my elmer agrees, if you can not send es receive Morse Code....................
you are not worth your salt as a Ham Radio Operater. A Ham in name only. No substance in
a time of emergency. Unable to communicate without Sats, computers, repeaters etc.
There may well come a time when all of those things plus Cell phones, lap tops etc., will no longer function.

Bench Marks are a part of Life. CW is the Bench Mark in Ham Radio. That will never change.

Just because you dilute the system and get your way once again, like when you whined enough at home, does not mean you are right. It just means you whined long es loud enough to change things.
Not for the better I can assure you.

Might just as well have a single communicator's license, that requires nothing except to apply for it.
Better yet, just any US Citizen has the Right to be a Ham without a license. Buy the radio es "Talk"!
How about a World Communicator license......NO ONE NEEDS A LICENSE! #No Rules!


Thomas F. Fischel - WØTDH -
8274 Cullowhee Mountain Road
Cullowhee, NC #28723
k0pjg@earthlink.net

All msgs scanned per McAfee #Anti-Virus, in and out bound.

To view Collins equipment ;
http://www.qrz.com/callsign/k0pjg

Life Member of A.R.R.L.

[N6BOA]

TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators

[K9ALT]

Truly a very wise man...you're fortunate to have him as an elmer. My elmer was also a radio op during WWII and loved CW. If he were still alive I'm sure he would have said the same thing. By the way, great post Tom...

73 and Merry Christmas,
Glenn, K9ALT

[n8yx]

Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 21 2006,21:41)]TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators
Barb,

Was it sent via CW - or not? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[N6BOA]

Quote[/b] (n8yx @ Dec. 21 2006,21:46)]Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 21 2006,21:41)]TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators
Barb,

Was it sent via CW - or not? #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
-.. . .- -..

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http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif yup.

[kf6rdn]

Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 21 2006,20:41)]TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators
There's his sign..


and putting this on a par with Pearl harbor?

Pathetic..

[K7JEM]

What a maroon.

[kj3n]

*yawn*

[W5HTW]

Well, it IS a benchmark, no matter which side of the issue you are on. Like other historical days in amateur radio, it will be a part of the history of the hobby. It is definitely a turning point. The direction of that turn, I suppose, depends upon the direction one was heading in the first place.

We have had a lot of turning points in ham radio. One of the most famous was Incentive Licensing. For me, I viewed that as a good turning point, though it seems now, most hams view it as bad.

Another was the creation of the Novice and Technician licenses, in 1951. Others include the creation of the no code Tech license in 1991, the banning of amateur radio during World War II, and the Restructuring of 1999. The removal of the two year "time in grade" requirement to sit for the Extra Class test was one, in my opinion. So called Novice Enhancement, making it a permanently renewable license. The creation of the 60 meter band.

So, yes, this is a turning point, a true benchmark in our history. How we take it, what we make of it, will largely depend upon the kind of individual each of us happens to be. Some will make it very bad, some will make it good. That is how we treat all aspects of life, and ham radio will not be any different.

For me, the one thing it means most is we actually get to see, soon, if this really makes any difference in the face of amateur radio or not. The predictions have been from excellent to dire. Now we will confirm. On the winning side, there will be the "I told you so" attitudes, and that also will be detrimental, whether the actual effect of the code testing removal is good or bad.

We are humans. We will do the human thing. But the real test will be in the analysis: What WILL amateur radio be like?

We can only wait and see, and wait and hope.

Ed

[AA0CX]

I guess I'd agree it's the loss of a benchmark -- but it doesn't mean the death of ham radio as we know it. Because CW will always be there for me, and for you, too.

We can either seize the opportunity to elmer new hams and welcome them into the fold -- or we can do sour grapes and shun them.

Eventually, some of those new hams will be intrigued enough to want to try CW, will learn Morse, and a percentage of those who do will find it to be a fascinating mode --- and *gosh* dare I say it? Maybe even CW will be a favorite mode among our new no-code Generals and Extras.

I think we all need to give it a break: what's done is done. I would have preferred they keep CW, myself, but it's not the end of the world. Yes, it's the end of a Benchmark. But, all things change over time.

Let's seize the opportunity to grow the hobby; not ostracize those who'll be joining our ranks. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K0RGR]

I suspect that my late father is rotating at about 60 RPM in his grave, too. He was not opposed to the idea of a no-code license. Even back in the 1980's, he was somewhat in agreement with Wayne Green's assertion that you couldn't give away Extra Class ham tickets on streetcorners if you tried to. But he'd have developed apoplexy at the idea of eliminating ALL code tests.

Welcome to the brave new world. I don't think you should waste your remaining time being bitter about the changes or trying in vain to somehow reverse them.

Instead, work to encourage those who will be here in the future to take up the code. And if they choose not to, find ways for these codeless minions to perform the tasks that you would have used CW for.

And, frankly, I don't care if you're 900 years old, you have no right to insult anybody with a ham license over the conditions of how they earned it. If you do so, you are not worth your salt as an amateur.

[ki4ned]

just another 2 guys which never grew up, but dont worry, nct's will still talk to you, lmao

73 merry christmas
ki4ned

[KD6NIG]

Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 21 2006,21:41)]TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators
http://www.kd6nig.net/ms/beatingadeadhorse.gif

Perhaps you can add this to the bulletin to reinforce it?

[N6BOA]

Quote[/b] (KD6NIG @ Dec. 22 2006,09:37)]Quote[/b] (N6BOA @ Dec. 21 2006,21:41)]TDH, you must not have gotten the Dead Horse memo.

Barb, n6boa
One of the QRZ.com moderators
http://www.kd6nig.net/ms/beatingadeadhorse.gif

Perhaps you can add this to the bulletin to reinforce it?
Nope, I think you did a nice job. Thanks! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KE5FRF]

Quote[/b] ]I maintain, es my elmer agrees
Quote[/b] ]Buy the radio es "Talk"!
Quote[/b] ]In the FCC es our ARS ranks.
Quote[/b] ]drives to the store es we have four "Charlie Whiskey"

OM, I sincerely hope the word "and" isn't completely out of your vocabulary in real-life spoken vernacular. Out in the real world people might think replacing "and" with "es" a little strange. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[K7JEM]

This gut is a CW nut. He doesn't know the difference between "es" and "and".

He probably posts "hi hi" instead of the smiley face. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Joe

[W0LC]

Keep in mind, that horse has a lot of flesh to extract yet...beat away!

[K9ALT]

We know the horse is dead...and so what, I'm sure he doesn't care one way or the other if we beat him a little more! He's dead!

K9ALT

[KA4DPO]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 22 2006,10:14)]Quote[/b] ]I maintain, es my elmer agrees
Quote[/b] ]Buy the radio es "Talk"!
Quote[/b] ]In the FCC es our ARS ranks.
Quote[/b] ]drives to the store es we have four "Charlie Whiskey"

OM, I sincerely hope the word "and" isn't completely out of your vocabulary in real-life spoken vernacular. Out in the real world people might think replacing "and" with "es" a little strange. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
A little strange? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[w0tdh]

Tnx for the responses.
Some were good, others as expected.

The FCC was the agency that dropped CW, possibly at the urging of many of you. #
I think there might be something more afoot than trying to please a group of whining Hams however.
Follow the $$$$. As in BPL, wherein not only the manufactures made out like bandits, so did the operators of the equipment.
In this case, CW was a bottleneck for the manufacturing companies. If they lobbied the FCC long enough to drop
CW, then they could sell more HF radios.
The notion that most other Countries have dropped CW is false.
Interestingly enough, those that have dropped CW, have certainly helped open up markets for HF radios, or was that the plan?

73, es Merry Christmas

Tom - WØTDH



By the way....I do not care if you don't like "es" or any other form of Ham Speak.

[n1ydx]

W0TDH - Nice Post.

In some way I agree with your notes about your Elmer and his remembrance of Amateur Radio years ago.

I was licensed in 1979 after being a rabid CBer and then wanting a little bit more. Weeks of practice keying with a buddy in our living rooms, telling jokes about our wives and random stuff, just to get proficient with the code. It worked because we made it fun.

Then driving about 90 miles (not up-hill in snow) to the FCC office in Baltimore and taking the exam and then the code test at 5wpm and staying for the 13wpm test, passing them both. We had to go back to pass the General Test a couple of weeks later though. I hate math and formulas with a passion.

Personally I enjoyed CW and worked it primarily since 1979. But I realize not everyone feels the same. I don't agree with dropping the code, not by any means. But, as an Amateur Radio Operator I also realize many cannot grasp the code as a means of communications. Even back in 1979 you could tell the other person was struggling and had reached a bottle-neck. And yes, I feel this is a definite dropping of standards.

But, as an Amateur Radio Operator, I won't knock any of the new folks I might find on the bands, nor will I ask if they are CW qualified. Rather I will meet those CW qualified operators on the bands I work in CW, and on those occasions maybe when the bands improve again, I will have a chance to chat with those amateurs who have not achieved the CW communications skills others have.

This is my first post on the 'No Code' ruling and it is my last. Just wanted Tom to know that I agree yet I can adjust without stress or hard feelings. I know what I have achieved and won't hold it against those that have no interest or possibly no skill in communications with CW.

Let it go and one day we'll meet and have a rag chew on some part of the CW frequencies.

Any-Who - Have a great Holiday Season and Merry Christmast, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa to you all.

Lee - N1YDX

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 22 2006,13:14)]OM, I sincerely hope the word "and" isn't completely out of your vocabulary in real-life spoken vernacular. Out in the real world people might think replacing "and" with "es" a little strange. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
A somewhat childish affectation that shows us that he is, when all else is said and done, a tried and true CW man thru and thru. It has no other purpose on a post, and it is the internet version of chest thumping by adolescents.

Why not also substitute "n" for 9 when typing a post here or in an email?

Why, indeed, do we not substitute "n" for 9 in the zip codes on the QSL cards we now will send out with lamentations about the "loss of CW" embroidered over our call signs? Let's show the Post Office that, come what may, we shall remain ever true to the Lost Cause?

I, too, rue the decision of the FCC not to have retained the Morse test for AE, at the least. But they did remove the test, and it is now time to drop all the childish whining and move on.

Tiresome.

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 23 2006,08:27)]Tiresome.
More than. From both sides of the fence as well.

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 23 2006,06:27)]Tiresome.
Ayup.

I have been reading the code/no code threads here this last week as a challenge. The challenge has been to find something -- anything new. Just one small tidbit, one tiny glimmer of something that wasn't being said a year ago.

Alas, I have failed. Heath's eloquent peacemaking treatise came close; even that -- nothing new.

This horse is well beyond dead.

73, Rob

[N5PVL]

KC9ECI says:
Quote[/b] ]
Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 23 2006,08:27)]Tiresome.
More than. #From both sides of the fence as well.


If issues that are of central importance to amateur radio are too much for you, old boy, then I'd say that you've definately parked yourself in the wrong forum.

Perhaps you should find some other topic in some other forum which is not such a trial for you.

The important thing is to be happy with what you associate yourself with.

[KI4QFY]

Quote[/b] (w0tdh @ Dec. 21 2006,21:27)]The "I Want It Now" crowd has become the Lobby against CW.
If we had the same negative attitude and bellyaching applied to computer technology years ago, we would still be using Z-80s and 8088s! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Toss your HF gear in the trash, us "want it now" ops will soon be using "your" air waves!

[KI6GWS]

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[KB1GYQ]

Quote[/b] (KI6GWS @ Dec. 24 2006,07:13)].- -- .. - .... . --- -. .-.. -.-- --- -. . - .. .-. -.- . -.. --- ..-.
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Nope, I'm tired of them as well... have been for years-

[kc4ylv]

To ensure that the sanctity of Amateur Radio is preserved, I sacrifice a live chicken every Sunday evening using a sharpened straight key, and light my "Wizard of the Airwaves" ceremonial candle before operating phone every evening.

Seriously, some of you guys take this hobby a little too seriously, and let policy decisions on a recreational radio service control your moods and emotions.

ask yourself how many people died as a result of this policy change
now look at the gulf war and ask yourself if you're as upset about that as you are about the code drop. If not, re-examine your priorities in life, because I can't remember the last time i heard a story about a ham license blowing somebody's leg off.


The point at which you need to belittle or segregate others to feel like you still 'matter' in ham radio is the point at which you should take a step back, take your bow, ebay your gear and be done with it, because you're ruining the hobby for the millions of others that still do enjoy it.