Silver lining in FCC cloud

[k0cmh]

I see the refarming and code-drop as a very good thing.

I believe that a lot of Techs will be "trying out" their new privileges. I think the idea that there are these extra frequencies out there, that they can use them, and that they can "run with the rest of the crowd" will be just to much for many.

Yes, there will be some really rough code out there. Yes, there will be some operating errors, there will be a lot of questions on the rough CW QSOs ( such as "what is SK?, etc.).

But is not that just what we want. People to advance their skills and knowledge.

It appears there is a great opportunity to do a lot of on-the-air elmering, and some at-the-bench elmering also.

And just to keep things in prespective, I wonder how many Generals, Advanced and Extras passed the code and then never touched a key again.

No Code Techs, come on in, I am waiting. I have one piece of advice (not sarcastic). Learn what QRS means "send slower). Even better is QRS with the WPM that you can copy at, i.e. "QRM3". I used QRM5 a lot in my early days, and it worked well for me.

I found the best way to speed up CW is to work it on the air. There are many fine Hams that will slow down and work with you. If they don't want to slow down, you will get "tu 73 de _(call sign)__ sk", which means, "Thank you, best regards, this is, (call sign), I am ending the exchange, no need to reply". This is a polite way to say, "I don't want to slow down, I am moving on". There is nothing wrong with someone saying that. But there are many who will work with you.

So, I hope to see many of you using your new privileges.

[k0cmh]

Ooops, 2nd paragraph, second sentence should read "... will be tom much for them to resist."

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Dec. 22 2006,08:51)]Ooops, 2nd paragraph, second sentence should read "... will be tom much for them to resist."
Do you mean "too much?" #I do that same thing. #I don't have dyslexia, but my tyipng fingers do.

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

I think what will happen, is that those who use their CW privileges on bands other than 10, will do so via computer terminal. #You know what TNC's do to Morse.
I expect to see a lot of misdirected QSL's.

[ac3p]

Quote[/b] ]"QRM3". #

Does that mean you are being interfered with by 3 other stations?.

QRM = Man made interference
QRN= Natural interference.

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

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Dec. 22 2006,08:50)]I see the refarming and code-drop as a very good thing.

I believe that a lot of Techs will be "trying out" their new privileges..
I cannot imagine how you came to that conclusion. If these folks, by and large, were unwilling to learn Morse at the very basic level in order to pass the test, how in the world would they then suddenly find the desire to use it on the air -- even were they now, after the fact, beset with sudden inspiration?

While I applaud your optimism, I find it naive in the extreme.

I am sure that there will always be a number of hams who discover Morse and find it enjoyable. But I cannot believe they will be in numbers sufficient to warrant you effulgent enthusiasm.

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

[n1ydx]

Quote[/b] ]And just to keep things in prespective, I wonder how many Generals, Advanced and Extras passed the code and then never touched a key again.

Passed the 13wpm in 1979 and probably 95% of contacts since then on CW. WAS CW - WAC CW etc etc.

Great on the QRS5 or QRQ10 - That should get you a great experience on CW.

Hoping to see lots more activity on the 40 and 80 CW bands with folks trying out their fists.

N1YDX - Lee

[wa3vjb]

It's not really "re-farming." That's a League handle rejected by the FCC.

Instead the FCC's re-apportionment of selected bands respects the popularity of voice communications, something the group in Newington failed to recognize in its filings with the FCC.

Those of us who filed with the FCC when it asked for our opinion were listened to, and we were able to move ahead of the stunted short-sighted proposal defended by the ARRL's attorney.

As for operating prospects, I agree that the novelty of being able to work the shortwave bands will produce more signals on these bands and others where dropping the code test encourages people toward an upperclass license. Such folks will most likely use phone when they appear.

Once they're up and running, THEN maybe your point will come about that HF newcomers may try some code QSOs.

But most of this growth will come within existing ranks of licensees, and less from outsiders. I just don't see where there has been a significant, pent-up demand for ham radio, constrained only by the fact there had been a Morse code testing element to obtain a license.

Paul/VJB

[N2RJ]

Hate to break it to ya, but there won't be a bunch of rough code.

If anything we'll be seeing more keyboards on air.

I suspect, however, that the techs that want to operate HF will upgrade to Gen or Extra, or just operate on 10m.

[KE5FRF]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 22 2006,08:31)]Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Dec. 22 2006,08:50)]I see the refarming and code-drop as a very good thing.

I believe that a lot of Techs will be "trying out" their new privileges..
I cannot imagine how you came to that conclusion. If these folks, by and large, were unwilling to learn Morse at the very basic level in order to pass the test, how in the world would they then suddenly find the desire to use it on the air -- even were they now, after the fact, beset with sudden inspiration?

While I applaud your optimism, I find it naive in the extreme.

I am sure that there will always be a number of hams who discover Morse and find it enjoyable. But I cannot believe they will be in numbers sufficient to warrant you effulgent enthusiasm.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Albert, I somewhat disagree.

Many, many, many Techs out there do not even own an HF radio at the moment...limited to handhelds and mobile 2 meter rigs. They have had little enticement to purchase an HF rig other than the ones out there who wanted one of the DC to daylight all mode rigs for 6 meter SSB capabilities. So, some have not had the pleasure of SWLing to CW QSOs on the air. I suspect that a percentage, however small, of these guys will get their HF gear and get frustrated with not being able to use the low bands for phone, and some will not be real happy with the static and noise on SSB. This was certainly the case with ME when I first started using SSB. At one time, I really didn't envision myself a code guy. I had thought that I would get on HF and probably never look back, but then my mind was wrapped around the idea that I had invested the time to learn it, so why not keep it up and see how far I could take it.

Anyway, I suspect that some of these guys will be intrigued by the code and want to learn how to decipher what those OFs are all saying to each other. Code classes will still be offered by a lot of clubs, so some guys will choose to learn it just to add to their abilities.

I understand your pessimism, and you are probably somewhat correct, but I think it is a little of both.

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (ac3p @ Dec. 22 2006,06:22)]Quote[/b] ]"QRM3".

Does that mean you are being interfered with by 3 other stations?.

QRM = Man made interference
QRN= Natural interference.

:)
It's supposed to be "QRM 10-4"

[N6BOA]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ Dec. 22 2006,09:28)]Quote[/b] (ac3p @ Dec. 22 2006,06:22)]Quote[/b] ]"QRM3". #

Does that mean you are being interfered with by 3 other stations?.

QRM = Man made interference
QRN= Natural interference.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
It's supposed to be "QRM 10-4"
Ed...you're not helping! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[N8CPA]

Toss in the towel when you receive ..--- -----
in lieu of --.- - ....

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

[K3UD]

Paul,

I think that a certain percentage will learn CW and become active on their new frequencies especially when they realize that 40 and 80 meters are very reliable bands an almost always have activity as well as propagation to somewhere.

I tend to agree with you that there seems to be little pent up demand as far as people who want to become hams. There were times when we did have this demand.

1. Immediately after WW2 and well into the 50s. The demand was do to the creation of the Novice and Tech licenses in the early 50s.

2. When CB became a zoo in the early 70s, many CBers took the tests and became hams. Take a look at the growth charts for both the 50s and 70s. Huge growth happened.

3. When the NCT was established as a no code license in 1991 we had another growth spurt and more CBers came in and when families began to take the test so they could use repeaters and keep in touch.


So where is the pent up demand? and who are they?

Technician will continue to be the entry level. Is the lure of a dead 10 meter band and some slices of CW spectrum enough of a lure to boost the present 20 - 25,000 hams that come into the ARS each year? Will we see this increase by 10% or as much as 50%? based on some of the posts, there are predictions that the annual amount af new licensees will double.

Of course, it is all a guessing game. and it will take about a 5 year period to measure the aggregate effect.

73
George
K3UD

[ne6ao]

I also went through the ranks as a tech+,My first license,I remember almost not being able to stay calm when I made my first contact on cw,40 mtrs.I had bought a swan 350,still have it,.Anyway the op who came back was very patient and cause the swan drifted and also was on a ups for powerI did get most of it down on paper.Using a 12v car battery to a computer ups supply,it gave me abt 300 wts,barely enough to run the swan.I lived on 20 acres on an indian res,at the base of mt palomar where the obsevatory is.No phone no elec.I was a caretaker My job was to keep people from cutting down the oak trees,and to keep out pochers.I lived there for 17 yrs .3 mths later upgrd to gen ,6 mths later got my advanced.Went from 0-to advanced in 1 yr.I should say that I was a elec eng tech from the time I started to play with stuff cb,radio kits when I was 15,.eventually to being a field tech for the pc's.Walked away from the elec field when I got sober in 84.then at ten yrs sober I was talking to a guy on the cb radio,(never ran power,my dad being straight arrow himself being an eng at TRW,for bid me from misusing it,he even made me send in the 5 bucks to get my license in 68.).So the guy said that he was thinking abt gettin his ham ticket,alot of my friends were hams as I grew up but was never a priority.I didnt have the self discipline to study etc.So I found myself saying at the age of 43 maybe now,since I have all the time in the world.So I found an old code tape in a drawer one day,it just magically appeared one day.It was very strange,hmm a sign from the almighty OHM!!Yes it cried NOW IS THE TIME ,THIS IS YOUR DESTINY(I didnt hear any voices so it must be true)anyway it took me 6 mths to learn the code.But I did it.And the local radio shack was run by a WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?A HAM HIMSELF.We became friends and so I would go there some times to get parts ,so one day when I told him I was gonna get my ticket,He got me the study books and guides,so the theory was a snap ,so he sold me a htx202,the weekend I passed my tests.and the rest is history.When I made advanced my code time got less and less but I still get on once in a while.But I never got around to making some qsl cards ,and so felt a little guilty getting cards in the mail,so my time got less and less,Ok, there I said it,I guess now if I gonna go on the air to help you new guys ,I guess I gotta make some cards.I moved back to the city a few yrs ago and most of the paper work and cards got left there.I just got over a battle with throat cancer.Ayr ago the did surgery in sept,then in dec 05 it came back,so then in feb-mar,radiation so this sept they said it was gone for now,so anyway if you are new and dont got all the answers,thats ok ,when your new its up to us OF to help you.I had a great time built a 80 mtr full wave loop.I fed it with home made ladder line,built a tuner,made ants from copper water pipe for 2mtrs and 440.It is all there waiting for you to gain a great sense of accomplishment to say that you talked to russia or germany or belgium,which I did on home made equiptment.Dont get caught up in the petty bs that shows up here,most of the guys who are here will be very happy to help you,its all here waiting for you,Are you up to the challenge?NE6AO 73's

[W3MIV]

Quote[/b] (KE5FRF @ Dec. 22 2006,10:40)]Albert, I somewhat disagree....

I understand your pessimism, and you are probably somewhat correct, but I think it is a little of both.
Heath, you did indeed misunderstand me. I am not pessimistic. Re-read my last paragraph.

I do not believe that there will be hordes of new hams working CW because they will not have been exposed to the rudiments by learning it well enough to pass the now-defunct Element 1 test.

There will be, however, many new hams who are curious enough, or are influenced by OFs or friends or Elmers, to try it and make the effort to learn it. Even if they do so by using keyboards to send and trying to get the most out of computer programs to interpret for them on receive, that may prove sufficient to inspire deeper interest and motivate them to learn to work "by ear."

Where I disagree is the CMH's evident hope that there will be some flood of such folks. I don't think we are going to see even the "big surge" that many predict. I tend to think that a very large number of the current "total" of Techs listed on the ULS is deceptive in that I believe many already have tossed in the towel and are gone.

73

If nothing else it will get more activity on 10m now during the down years. The band is usually open somewhere, sometime every day, there just is nobody listening to calling to CQ to realize it.

This will at least put more folks on 10m

[ab8ro]

I predict that most of your predictions are incorrect and that mine are correct.

I predict that few techs will bother with there new tech+ privileges. Some may try 10 meter SSB, but I doubt that it will become popular in the bottom of the sunspot cycle.

What I think will happen is that there are quite a few techs who have taken the general written, or who will now take the general written, and you will see some new phone activity on HF.

I doubt you will see much of an increase in CW activity coming from the new ranks.

[K0RGR]

If only 1% of the 377,000 Techs ever learn code well enough to have a 30 -minute QSO, and I average one a day, there will be enough CW ops to keep me busy for the next 10.3 years.

That will be sufficient.

[KI4PEQ]

Quote[/b] (W3MIV @ Dec. 22 2006,07:31)]Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Dec. 22 2006,08:50)]I see the refarming and code-drop as a very good thing.

I believe that a lot of Techs will be "trying out" their new privileges..
I cannot imagine how you came to that conclusion. If these folks, by and large, were unwilling to learn Morse at the very basic level in order to pass the test, how in the world would they then suddenly find the desire to use it on the air -- even were they now, after the fact, beset with sudden inspiration?

While I applaud your optimism, I find it naive in the extreme.

I am sure that there will always be a number of hams who discover Morse and find it enjoyable. But I cannot believe they will be in numbers sufficient to warrant you effulgent enthusiasm.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
There will be MANY new amateurs that will learn and use code, myself included. Why limit operations to phone and modern digital modes? There are a lot of hams out there who use CW to the exclusion of other modes, and I would like to work them. I can't do it without a thorough grounding in the use of Morse code. #I haven't stopped my study even while dealing with weighty issues such as the death of my father and the settling of his estate, college courses, and the day to day travails of being a father to a teenage boy and teenage girl, all since I got my ticket in mid May of last year. Read my signature. It puts my philosphy re: Morse code into short, sweet words.

Now, if I could only change the minds of many of you who consider me a lazy, unmotivated, appliance operator because any upgrade to my licence will not require Element 1 passage, I would be a much happier amateur.

[KD8COO]

I think many techs are like me, wanting to know code but having a hard time fitting the time in with everything else going on in life. I'm hoping to get started (again) this year. I was going to work on the general and possibly extra upgrade since I'm MUCH better with electronics than ANY kind of language stuff (such as code seems to fall under). However, after sitting back, I realized that even if I upgraded, I probably wouldn't hit the HF bands anyways! I have a rig that will do it, but I don't have the infrastructure (wiring/antennae, and all the other accessories necessary). A key is a much cheaper investment than all of those items! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (KD8COO @ Dec. 22 2006,20:56)]I think many techs are like me, wanting to know code but having a hard time fitting the time in with everything else going on in life. I'm hoping to get started (again) this year. I was going to work on the general and possibly extra upgrade since I'm MUCH better with electronics than ANY kind of language stuff (such as code seems to fall under). However, after sitting back, I realized that even if I upgraded, I probably wouldn't hit the HF bands anyways! I have a rig that will do it, but I don't have the infrastructure (wiring/antennae, and all the other accessories necessary). A key is a much cheaper investment than all of those items! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Don't overestimate what it takes to get on HF and let that keep you away. A resonant homebrew dipole attached to the simplest of radios will expand your radio horizons by hundreds if not thousands of miles. So what if your code sucks, try it anyway, most who had to learn it well enough to pass the 5wpm had to relearn it anyway for it to become usable for a qso. And that re-learning process typically involves making contacts, and little else.

BTW if you like electronics, one of the more satisfying things you can do in ham radio is to homebrew and use your own rig, just so happens CW rigs are easier to make, hence its worth learning code.

Have fun with your new priveledges, do take advantage of them.

73 m.

[ab9lz]

Quote[/b] (KD8COO @ Dec. 22 2006,20:56)]A key is a much cheaper investment than all of those items! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
BTW. My key is one of the single most expensive things in my shack!

[k0cmh]

Well, sorry for the typos. I was thinking of another subject while I was typing.

QRM5 was meant to be QRS5.

I sure hope no new folks try to use it as I originally wrote it.

Sure wish these computers had a Brain check.

[k0cmh]

Yep, really do need that brain checker.

I forgot to also say that some folks go through life with their glass half empty, some half full.

Mine is half full.

When I got involved in the local ARES group, I was told that they were getting nowhere with folks handling written traffic. Well, I said that if we make it interesting, they will do it, which I did. I was told, "good luck".

Well, a year later we now have about 12 to 15 members that can reliably handle written traffic, and a number more who were at least exposed to it.

The leadership of the ARES groups wished for digital capabilities for moving complicated lists, etc. as emergency traffic. I tried the half full glass again.

WE put together a "digital workshop" on weekend. Now three weeks later, we have about 15 people with the software loaded an running, and about six that regularly check into a "diginet".

My point? All of this happened because people had heard of it and were interested in what it was, but just needed a framework to try it. I think that is what we will see with the recent revisions from the FCC. I think a number of people with the new privileges will be trying them out.

And that is just what we want, is it not.