a question

[ki4mdc]

Can anybody tell me what website(s) to go to that has the best way to study code? I want to try & at least get a grasp on it so I can study. Thanks for any info.

73 Michele
ki4mdc

[KC9ECI]

http://www.aa9pw.com/radio/morse.html

[ki4mdc]

thank you KC9ECI . I appreciate it .


73 Michele
ki4mdc

[ki4mdc]

Is the FCC doing away with the Code testin, and if so, is it really worth the time & effort to learn it? Also, and please bare with me since I'm new, if they do away with the Code will those frequencies be used for RTTY, Phone and other emissions?

73 Michele
ki4mdc

[KC9ECI]

Quote[/b] (ki4mdc @ Oct. 22 2005,19:15)]Is the FCC doing away with the Code testin, and if so, is it really worth the time & effort to learn it? #Also, and please bare with me since I'm new, if they do away with the Code will those frequencies be used for RTTY, Phone and other emissions?

73 Michele
ki4mdc
It looks that way. Is it worth the time and effort...it was for me, it may not be for you. As someone says, your mileage may vary. Code isn't going away, they just propose to eliminate it as a test requirement. I don't expect the allocations to change just yet.

[ki4mdc]

Thank you KC9ECI for the info, I appreciate it.


73 Michele

[KC9ECI]

Any time. #A word to the wise, any mention of the code/no code debate here generally turns ugly at some point. #Better have your Nomex knickers handy if you're going to light that fire here.

[W5HTW]

No. At least not for the next two to five years. The code 'TESTING' may go away early in 2006. But the frequencies on which Morse is used will not change. They will not be allocated to other modes. All that is happening, at least for the time being, is that the Morse testing element will no longer be used.

But that is not true either for now. Nothing has changed.

As to your personal preferences, if you are happy enough doing without the code, then stay there. If you'd like to actually use CW, then by all means, learn the code.

In the FCC proposal, there is no "grandfathering." Today's Techs will not automatically become Generals. They will remain exactly where they are. The "tech with code" who can now operate on limited frequencies (CW only) on 80, 40 and 15 meters, will still be stuck with precisely that. Which will be useless to the no code tech, and he does not now have those privileges, and won't have them after the new proposal is made into a rule.

What it will do is allow Techs (or anyone else for that matter) to take a written test, and upgrade to General. And they will not be required to take a code test. They will, though, be required to take the General written exam.

Even if the new NPRM goes into effect, those who enter ham radio as a Technician will not have HF voice privileges.

Hope that clarifies things a bit.

Ed

[AG3Y]

Quote[/b] (ki4mdc @ Oct. 22 2005,20:15)]Is the FCC doing away with the Code testin, and if so, is it really worth the time & effort to learn it? #Also, and please bare with me since I'm new, if they do away with the Code will those frequencies be used for RTTY, Phone and other emissions?

73 Michele
ki4mdc
Michele, these frequencies are already being used for RTTY and other digital modes, in addition to CW.

But wideband modes such as phone, and probably SSTV will probably be limited to the upper portions of the bands for the foreseeable future.

I wish to clear up a misconception. "They" are not making any attempt to "do away with the Code". The only thing being proposed is an elimination of the testing, as you mentioned in the first part of your question.

I am rather optomistic in believing that CW will remain a staple in the ham arsenal for many years to come. It is just too good at cutting through QRM/N and being copied in a very weak signal mode, as well as being too much FUN , not to be used by many people for a long time to come.

73, Jim

[nz3m]

You will not regret learning morse code. It is our foundation, what we all know, how we communicate.

Anyone who does not want to learn it is missing the whole point.

Listen to 40m after dark on any evening. First, make sure you have a tuned antenna, and are able to recieve CW correctly. There are more CW QSO's on 40m at night than there are SSB QSOs on 20m during the day. Anyone who disagrees cannot recieve CW correctly, or does not have good antenna.

To No-Coders, I'm not going to put a flame suit on. You can't cry any tears that I have not heard.......I'm flameproof!

BTW, CodeQuick worked for me.

Dave

[ae4fa]

Someone around here has a tag line that reads something like, "No time spent learning something is ever wasted."

Michele, I encourage you to get the code under your belt. Whether you will be tested on it or not, it will be a valuable addition to your skill set.

I can't count the number of hams who struggled to learn the code and swore they would never use it, but who later discovered it was fun - and made it their primary mode of operation.

At work, I have to deal with people (listen to them talk) all day long. When I get home, the last thing I want to do is listen to someone else talk. But I find CW relaxing.

A further benefit is that it exercizes the wet ware - an important consideration for your later years. It is truly amazing how many hams in their 80s and 90s can leave me in the dust on CW.

At any rate, my suggestion is to go for it. Nothing's lost, but much is gained.

[kf6rdn]

I learned.. err, learnt it just barely enough to pass the test. #I'm glad I did, right now I don't "know it", but I know I'll be able to pick it up again when I want, and I do want to get into it at some point.

Just do it, don't wait, it really isnt a big deal. #That and the general test will give you HF privies. #I seldom even touch the VHF/UHF radio anymore.
Well, I touch it, given it's the same radio I use for hf.. but.. *cough* #nevermind..

[ky5u]

Quote[/b] (ki4mdc @ Oct. 22 2005,17:15)]Is the FCC doing away with the Code testin, and if so, is it really worth the time & effort to learn it? Also, and please bare with me since I'm new, if they do away with the Code will those frequencies be used for RTTY, Phone and other emissions?

73 Michele
ki4mdc
I would say yes it is worth the time for these reasons:

1. Even after the rules change, those who don't know code (especially today's NCTs) will be viewed as not real Amateurs my many older Amateurs. Fair or not it is the truth.

2. You may discover you enjoy using CW especially when you experience the difference between the voice bands and the CW bands. I hated CW until I quit whining and actually tried. Then I said....hey this is neat. Now it is my primary mode.

3. Investing time in something with a positive goal and reward just makes good sense.

4. It can be your connection with our history. People view "tradition" as a bad word these days. But I feel a connection with all the Amateurs who came before me. It can be powerful motivation to learn more about all aspects of the hobby. Personally, I feel vested in the service by my passing the code test and my regular use of it as a primary mode.

Whatever you choose, good luck!

Also, try Morse Cat (http://www.morsecat.de) as a learning tool. I still use it every day to practice.

[KI4FCP]

Use the Gorden West CDs, thats what Im using now so far so good i should be ready in the next few weeks

[N8CPA]

I encourage anyone to learn anything, even if they really believe they'll never use the information. You never know how some little bit of knowledge gained might be applied some day. Morse is a special example of that because of what I call the LILLI principle--Learning It Leads Liking It. In my case, it took me about a dozen years to actually like using it. Now, it's 90+% of what I do on the air, simply because it feels like radio in a way no other mode can match.

[WA2ZDY]

It's not certain FCC will do away with code testing. Likely but not certain.

There are those who tell us they want HF privileges but refuse to learn the code. That's fine, it's their choice. But I always say "while they wait, the rest of us are having fun on HF. Who's missing out?"