View Full Version : With the new No-Code Extras Coming,
Okay, seems that the code requirement has gone the way of New Coke. There will be a new generation of ops who will not ever know code. The phone bands will get congested as more and more NCEs and NCGs get their ticket. Will you go to the sanctuary of the code parts of the band to operate as a way of avoiding the inevitable QRM that will come?
The new no-brain Amateur test might be the best thing that's happened to CW in years.
K8EEI
07-24-2005, 03:45 PM
I'm sure the band plan will be changed with less space for CW .
The sad part of this is that many new ops will never get to know how much fun CW is . http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
N8CPA
07-24-2005, 04:06 PM
I intend to wait a few years before, if ever, I routinely operate HF phone except during contests. Even now, I rarely operate HF phone. Yacking has not been my forte for some time now. So, if my current HF actvivty level doesn't change, neither will my CW activity, really. At this point, I even operate less computer dependent digital than I used to--like yacking, it just doesn't feel like radio to me.
W0UZR
07-24-2005, 04:13 PM
I have carpals tunnel too bad to do CW.
But I'll have to do it anyway to communicate with REAL Amateurs.
Quote[/b] (kb0uzr @ July 23 2005,10:13)]I have carpals tunnel too bad to do CW.
But I'll have to do it anyway to communicate with REAL Amateurs.
Iambic keying requires virtually no movement of your hand or wrist. My XYL cannot even see anything moving when I'm sending.
Dave
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 04:40 PM
WOW, i just found out im not a real ham op... I passed every test that i was to, to get where im at today. I only looked at the book one time and passed it on my first try without missing any. If you dont like whats going on in OUR hobbie then get out of it. You dont have to put down others cause things change. Let me ask all of you someting. Since most dont like changes rather good or bad. Do you keep your job for more then a year? Does your kids dress the same way as you? Did you do what your mother told you by putting on clean underwear or do you still have on the ones you had on when you was in first grade?
KC7UP
07-24-2005, 04:47 PM
Personally I don't intend to change my habits in ham radio. I still will use Cw and SSB as much as I have in the past. Changes in ham radio have always brought about the same complaints and praises over the years. Actually I have seen no big increase in ham usage due to changes from either side of the aisle due to change in regulations.
Curt
Quote[/b] ]I passed every test that i was to, to get where im at today. I only looked at the book one time and passed it on my first try without missing any.
Just not that impressive anymore. If you'd done it 15 years ago them maybe. Anybody else think the theory tests haven't gotten easier?
Quote[/b] ]If you dont like whats going on in OUR hobbie then get out of it.
This from someone in the hobby a grand total of 9 months? Sit down junior before you get hurt.
Quote[/b] ]Do you keep your job for more then a year? Does your kids dress the same way as you? Did you do what your mother told you by putting on clean underwear or do you still have on the ones you had on when you was in first grade?
What does this nonsensical blather have to do with the price of rice in China?
Back to the poll.
I'll be spending a lot more time on CW. I may get rid of the mic altogether.
I don't operate CW. Not as of yet, I have taken the 5wpm morse code, and perhaps one of these days I will operate more on the air.
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 07:58 PM
AC0H,
Sir i think you need to learn how to do math. Jan 1995 -- july 2005 is a lot longer then 9 months. I think just looking at a book for a few hours and then go pass a test is impressive no mater how easy you think it was. I have even taking the gen. and extra test on line just to pass them without looking at any books.
What will really be impressive is if people who think they are better then anyone, get off there high horse and come back to earth.
by the way dont forget to put your mic in the trash
Quote[/b] ]Sir i think you need to learn how to do math. Jan 1995 -- july 2005 is a lot longer then 9 months.
The FCC has no record of you holding N9ZXK previous to 10/27/2004. They also don't list any previous calls held if this is a vanity call.
If you held another call between 1995 and October of last year then I appologize. I wonder why you let your old license lapse?
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 08:53 PM
This is the only call i had. Never let my license lapse, but it was on my mind to do it. i just looked at your is show you got yours on nov.17 2004. Maybe its cause it was renewed in oct of 2004. who knows...
The FCC only shows the date of last renewal.
Dave
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 08:59 PM
Thanks Dave, i didnt know that
Quote[/b] (n9zxk @ July 24 2005,12:40)]WOW, i just found out im not a real ham op... I passed every test that i was to, to get where im at today. I only looked at the book one time and passed it on my first try without missing any. If you dont like whats going on in OUR hobbie then get out of it. You dont have to put down others cause things change. Let me ask all of you someting. Since most dont like changes rather good or bad. Do you keep your job for more then a year? Does your kids dress the same way as you? Did you do what your mother told you by putting on clean underwear or do you still have on the ones you had on when you was in first grade?
This is NOT a code/no-code debate. Nobody is questioning the fact that anybody is a "real op." This is about operating. If you read the poll above, and see code/no-code you're reading it wrong. Realize that without the code to filter applicants, taking the exam will be about as hard as passing a driving test. Take a look on the highways - pretty crowded huh?
Funny, I always thought that once the code test became dust in the wind, the no-coders would at least be able to relax with their arguements and be graceful in their victory. Alas, so wrong. I suppose there are other windmills to conquer for the multiple-choice challenged... and there's always a chance they could do without the reading too.
The idea of long distance HF communicating - what most of us got into Amateur Radio for - will soon be a thing of the past on Phone. For those of us who know code, as usual, there will be that part of the spectrum where we will be able to go to communicate. It will remain mostly free of the QRM of the Phone portions and retain the flavor of Amateur Radio that will be the allure of the hobby. Sadly, and irrevocably, that allure that new Hams will be looking for, will most probably soon be as much a thing of the past as Steam Engines and The Beatles.
Except on CW.
As I mentioned before. This might be the best thing that has happened for CW in a long time.
Quote[/b] (K8EEI @ July 24 2005,11:45)]I'm sure the band plan will be changed with less space for CW .
The sad part of this is that many new ops will never get to know how much fun CW is . http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Well, they always say, "Use it or lose it." If there is a demand for that portion of the band, they won't be able to say that it is empty. IF that logic works and IF CW ops use it, then CW might be the future not the past.
Works for me.
Quote[/b] (kb0uzr @ July 23 2005 @ 10:13)]
I have carpals tunnel too bad to do CW.
But I'll have to do it anyway to communicate with REAL Amateurs.
There's always a memory unit like Idiom Press makes where you can load up the code you use (like calling CQ) to make operating more enjoyable when you have Carpal Tunnel... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 09:24 PM
n2nh, i am not turning this into a no code/know code debate. i was just replying to kb0uzr when he said "but ill have to do it anyway to communicate with REAL amateurs" . To me that was questioning me as a REAL op.
I said it before if anyone dont like any type of change rather it be good or not then get out of OUR hobbie. Change is all around us. we change our selfs, our kids change. the whole world has change. That was the point of my post
Quote[/b] (n9zxk @ July 24 2005,17:24)]n2nh, i am not turning this into a no code/know code debate. i was just replying to kb0uzr when he said "but ill have to do it anyway to communicate with REAL amateurs" . To me that was questioning me as a REAL op.
I said it before if anyone dont like any type of change rather it be good or not then get out of OUR hobbie. Change is all around us. we change our selfs, our kids change. the whole world has change. That was the point of my post
Point well taken. The problem with change is that it should be for the better and when it isn't who is it serving? Certainly not the Amateur community. But I did want to make the point that this isn't code/no-code. This is an opportunity to see what we as a community can do to salvage the long distance enjoyment of operating in spite of this change. I believe that is why so many CW ops feel that CW makes real operators, in that it allows you to open up the area that you can communicate much further than most other modes and does it with/for less. Sorry if I misunderstood.
n9zxk
07-24-2005, 09:49 PM
In alot of my past post i have said may times that i really dont care if we keep the code or drop it. i am happy right where im at in ham radio. I have worked with the code. I can copy about 50% of what i hear. I have been called alot of names for just wanting what i am doing out of this hobbie. I took my ham test in jan.1995. Didnt miss any on the test. In late dec. of 94 was the first time i wanted to be a ham. Got a book at christmas time and past the test 3 weeks later. But only looked at it, didnt study it. You can even look up n9wsq send dave an email and im sure he will tell you this. It was in his shack that i wanted to become a ham. If i do upgrade it will be so i can do some psk31. I think thats kind of cool.
K0RGR
07-24-2005, 10:34 PM
Well, as I've said elsewhere, if you let this change be the end of ham radio for you, it will be the end of ham radio for you, and that's a sad thing. I don't intend to let it be the end for me. There are too many things I want to do yet, and CW is still one of them.
The multimode digital program I use is pretty good at copying machine sent code. If I can convince some of those no-coders and 5 WPM folks to try using the 'Morse' option instead of RTTY or PSK31 at 25 WPM or less, I can copy what they're sending, and if conditions are halfway decent, their program can copy what my Morse program sends them. So this does not need to be the end of Morse by any means. I'm looking for a portable CW keyboard to use when I go on QRP trips so I don't have to drag a computer around. Hopefully, those who are so inclined will soon figure out that if they learn to copy by ear, they'll be much better off.
But, if that doesn't work out, there are other options, as well.
Of COURSE not! Whatever for, when I can camp in the 'phone band and work the only other guy on DRM? Maybe P25! Or TRSLink! (Only works with TRS-80's.)
Heh!
Seriously now.... no diff. I like CW. but not to the exclusion of everything else. Why change?
Cortland
KA5S
kc8yhk
07-25-2005, 01:11 AM
Whats Ham radio?
OH MY GOSH is this what ham radio is all about??? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
KC7UP
07-25-2005, 03:35 AM
If you guys just get the sun spots to work more than I for one will help fill up the band with both modes CW/SSB. However at the present time in this state it is tough to communicate.
Curt
Quote[/b] (kc8yhk @ July 24 2005,21:11)]Whats Ham radio?
OH MY GOSH is this what ham radio is all about??? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Whuts that?
kc8yhk
07-25-2005, 04:17 AM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ July 24 2005,20:46)]Quote[/b] (kc8yhk @ July 24 2005,21:11)]Whats Ham radio?
OH MY GOSH is this what ham radio is all about??? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
Whuts that?
garbage, its all i see here
Actually, this is about operating in a future where the outlook is that the HF Phone bands will probably be over populated with ops.
n2knc
07-25-2005, 04:24 AM
ham radio is for WACKERS..........
KA4DPO
07-25-2005, 01:31 PM
Quote[/b] (n2nh @ July 24 2005,21:24)]Actually, this is about operating in a future where the outlook is that the HF Phone bands will probably be over populated with ops.
More important is the fact that many of the new operators will lack discipline. #With the FCC considering dropping the CW requirement and testing being dumbed down to the point of mediocrity, amateur radio may not last much longer. #That is, it will become very much like Citizens Band radio.
Having said that I plan to send comments to the FCC requesting that they re-consider the proposal to drop the code element from testing, I urge all of you to do the same. # Additionally, I will send a counter proposal that would require knowlege of radio systems and some circuit anlysis should the code be dropped. #There needs to be an incentive to EARN a ham license, not just get one, to maintain a disciplined amateur service.
CB type operators who don't understand radio systems and basic system engineering would be of little use in #true emergency situations. #That is afterall why our service exists. #
So, if you feel as I do, that the proposed rule making will damage the amateur service please save the griping on these pages. #I doubt that anyone from the FCC reads the QRZ forums. #Instead, provide your comments to the FCC via Comments on elimination of Morse Code for amateur testing (http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi).
Don't just talk, do it.....
Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ July 25 2005,09:31)]Quote[/b] (n2nh @ July 24 2005,21:24)]Actually, this is about operating in a future where the outlook is that the HF Phone bands will probably be over populated with ops.
More important is the fact that many of the new operators will lack discipline. With the FCC considering dropping the CW requirement and testing being dumbed down to the point of mediocrity, amateur radio may not last much longer. That is, it will become very much like Citizens Band radio....
Instead, provide your comments to the FCC via Comments on elimination of Morse Code for amateur testing (http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi).
Don't just talk, do it.....
<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:15pt;line-height:100%'><span style='font-family:helvitica'>Excellent Advice.</span></span></span>
I've already sent my comment and I urge all to do the same.
I believe if you ask existing HF ops most want this requirement, but not all Hams do. Problem is that when you win - you lose. Get this and the bands will be overcrowded, full of QRM making them useless.
kb9iou
07-25-2005, 07:10 PM
I just got finished sending in my opposition to the code test removal... Hopefully every amateur who is against the FCC doing away with the Element 1A Exam will let the FCC know using the link provided above.
wb6bcn
07-25-2005, 07:56 PM
I have sent FCC my comments:
I am also getting ready set up to start a club with an emphasis on CW. It will be primarily on 2 meter simplex for the local area, and I am considering putting it on EchoLink. It will be at least an hour a day with speeds ranging from 5 WPM Farnaworht to 25 WPM Farnsworth.
I may also pick an HF frequency.
The club call I will be applying for is WN2BCN (We Need 2 Begin Code Now)
kb9iou
07-26-2005, 06:43 AM
I would be very interested if you put the club on echolink, doug.. Would have to check in from time to time since it would be a little hard to reach u via 2m from Southern IL lol.
I was smart enough and motivated enough to learn CW and so I use it. ....
I will continue to use it regardless.
Works far better then SSB in many instances.
W5MJL
07-26-2005, 03:22 PM
Just think, in five years we can do a poll on which cereal box our license came in.
I like that cereal with the freeze dried strawberries, I wonder what license I'll get with that?
W5MJL
07-26-2005, 04:08 PM
Quote[/b] (K7FE @ July 26 2005,10:51)]I like that cereal with the freeze dried strawberries, I wonder what license I'll get with that?
Since freeze-drying something is trying to preserve it's original qualities, I would say you will get a CW license.
The Shredded Wheat License can be purchased by those that wish to destroy the hobby. This will be a special winlink license. Three boxtops will also give you free internet email for 2 hours.
The Bran Nuts License are for those that need help shoveling propaganda. You have no privileges, but you get a lifetime ARRL membership.
The Alpha-bits license will give you full privileges anywhere in the bands and via any mode as long as you promise not to try and do anything educational with the letters. The C and W letters are also removed to protect people from letters they don't wish to use.
I'm sure we can think of more.
wa4brl
07-26-2005, 05:07 PM
KA4DPO says:
Quote[/b] ]More important is the fact that many of the new operators will lack discipline. #
It's a lot like employers that require applicants have a college degree for jobs that otherwise wouldn't need it. #That degree -- regardless of the field of study -- says a lot about the person who holds it. #It identifies that person as someone with the passion to pursue a field of interest, the discipline to achieve the passing grade, and the work ethic to see it through to the end -- character traits highly valued by employers. #Those degrees often form the basis of fellowship between colleagues, resulting in cooperation and teamwork that otherwise might not have occurred. #
The Morse code has served this same purpose for Amateur Radio. #It has proved an applicant's passion, discipline, and work ethic toward the service. #It has been the basis of our fellowship and a shared language between all hams worldwide. #Until recently, that is. #The discipline and fellowship have lessened somewhat since element-1 was removed from the Technician license. #We now risk losing these uniting benefits altogether.
wa4brl
07-26-2005, 05:11 PM
To the point of this poll, if this rule is enacted, I'll spend more time on CW. Fone is OK, but I won't want to deal with the overcrowding and the poor manners it will induce.
Sad.
wa4brl
07-26-2005, 06:50 PM
WGE: Excellent point. If this rule change is enacted, that'll be the thing to do, and the phone will be the way to do it. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Now this is positive.
Of those respondents that answered and use code:
51 will spend the same or more time on code.
0 will spend less time on code
51 out of 51 - too bad Congress doesn't work that way.
There is a future for CW, in spite of NCI's wishes.
kf4lne
07-27-2005, 12:56 AM
Quote[/b] (ka5fap @ July 26 2005,04:08)]Quote[/b] (K7FE @ July 26 2005,10:51)]I like that cereal with the freeze dried strawberries, I wonder what license I'll get with that?
Since freeze-drying something is trying to preserve it's original qualities, I would say you will get a CW license.
The Shredded Wheat License can be purchased by those that wish to destroy the hobby. This will be a special winlink license. Three boxtops will also give you free internet email for 2 hours.
The Bran Nuts License are for those that need help shoveling propaganda. You have no privileges, but you get a lifetime ARRL membership.
The Alpha-bits license will give you full privileges anywhere in the bands and via any mode as long as you promise not to try and do anything educational with the letters. The C and W letters are also removed to protect people from letters they don't wish to use.
I'm sure we can think of more.
The Frosted Flakes license is for people like K1MAN and KG6IRO. You get only transmit privalages and are NOT allowed to operate a receiver unless using it to monitor the reactions of your victims. License also includes one "get out of jail free" card valid for the first 30 days