FCC Drops Code

Now that there is funny. (the CSS post)

 

When this lot has settled down in a few years time, I predict there will be lots of new CW operators who are doing it not because they had to but because they want to. We need the new blood in the hobby.

 

Its interesting that one of the justifications for dropping CW is that its not used by the military or commercially anymore, but this is not true-- all you have to do is listen below the broadcast band and you will find hundreds of beacons, ALL on CW. Aircraft radios may use these beacons automatically, but they do use CW.

The good part about it is that 90% of the new operators coming on will infest the phone bands and leave the CW bands alone (what's left of them) for guys like me who like to chase CW DX, of which there is plenty!

 

i hear a lot of CW even now on 20 meter band.but i hope they dont drop requirement of written examination.that will ruin everything and people will proliferrate the ham bands.

 

I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE NEED TO ATTRACT NEW AND YOUNGER PEOPLE TO HAM RADIO, HOWEVER I AM 50 YEARS OLD AND JUST RECENTLY BECAME A TECH LICENSEE. I MUST TELL  YOU THAT THE ELITIST MENTALITY I MET AT THE HAMFESTS WAS OVERWHELMING.
IT WAS OH ONLY A TECH  WE DONT HAVE MUCH TO SAY TO YOU(ME).
IT WAS NOT VERY ENCOURAGING TO ME A 50 YEAR OLD
IMAGINE WHAT A 12 YEAR OLD WILL THINK WHEN HE GETS THE ATTITUDE FROM THE ONCE FORMER CB ER NOW HAM OPERATOR I AM THE GREATEST MENTALITY.
NO YOU WONT BE GRABBING UP MANY KIDS FOR THE HOBBY AND  IT IS SAD.
MANY TIMES I ENCOUNTER PPL WITH ATTITUDES ON VHF OR UHF WHO JUST PLAIN OUT DONT WANT TO BE NICE OR BOTHER WITH YOU NO MATTER WHAT.
THESE ARE THE SAME CB ERS WHO HAD SSB CLUBS AND WOULD IGNORE ANYONE ON THE CB BAND AS WELL.
SO WITH THIS TYPE OF NEGATIVE OUTPUT DONT LOOK FOR TOO MANY NEW OPERATORS AND THE ONES YOU DO GET WILL BE DISCOURAGED AND 1/2 WILL ABANDON THE HOBBY.

 

KC2OVB:

Dont worry about these JERKS,When I had my Extra back in the early 70s and I was 18 I got the Cold Welcome also but not from everyone.Their are those that will except and help you, take them as a grain of SALT(JERKS) and move on.Have fun I plan on getting active again as a VEC and Elmer as much as I can and try to hold on to some of our Traditions.Dont worry about the OLD FARTS!!!
73 and GL,Merry Christmas to all.
DE-K8PG Paul
CW STILL LIVES

 

Looks like it was just in time too...

 

As a "NO CODE" Tech I couldn't agree with you more.....

I don't think I've heard of any comment of dropping any of the Elements other than Element I. The only ones I've heard that comment from are some of the "Pro Code" or "FIST" Element of Ham Radio.

 

By accident, I stumbled upon this Forum, and decided to sign up and log in.

I really hate to hear of the new FCC "No Code"........ When I decided to "try out" for my Novice License many years ago, I had no idea how much fun learning the code, was going to be.

As I started learning, and I must say I had an EXCELLENT teacher (WA4ULA) Jack, from Hamlet, North Carolina, I became a very fast learner.

As I have always said, "Times change and People change and if we cannot accept the CHANGE, than sometimes, we get left behind". Hopefully the CHANGE will turn out for the best.

Robert Thrush Jr. (KA4MGZ)
Pinehurst, N.C.
rwthrush.jr@juno.com

 

I'm glad it's gone. Oh, I would have eventually studied and hopefully passed it, but I have absolutely no interest in CW. If people want something official saying they are qualified, maybe they need to create an endorsement for your ticket for you to display proudly. It's fine to keep tradition alive, but it shouldn't be a requirement. I've been studying for my General written and it's hard enough. I always talk to kids about ham radio. I tell them ahout becoming a Technician, get a good taste of it, since it's good for 10 years. Then they can decide what they want out of it for their future. I want to get on HF so I can talk to my ham friends in GA and TX. CW is not for me. Of course, all this negative battling sure doesn't encourage me. This is what will cause the downfall of amatuer radio, in my opinion.
I also don't believe Cb'ers will be a problem. I still use a CB when off-roading as most of the people I know aren't hams and only keep a Cb to talk on the trail. I have both types of radio's mounted in my jeep. Few if any Cb junkies I know have expressed interest in ham radio, especially because of the cost. Times change and usually the rules go right along with it.

 

Picking up a mike to talk somewhere to encourage someone to join the Amateur Radio ranks is at best difficult. Especially when the person you are talking to has free long distance and unlimited minutes to anyone on their plan. Especially hard with the nextel radio groups.

Grabbing the straight key or keyer and making a contact still has the magic that caught me some 43 years ago.

It is still doing something most of the world can't do.
CW will still make someone a foot taller than the rest.

Charlie Wiskey is very good for you.  A diet without it would be lacking an essential element. Another proof that the goverment doesn't always know what is good for you.

Grace, Peace, and Joy
Clint
AG0K

 

I, for one, do not use or enjoy code.  I have no musical talent so it all sounds pretty much the same to me.  I have a General Class license that I worked VERY  hard to get.  My point is this, many people do enjoy code.  Just as many others enjoy packet, SSTV and SSB.  There is no licensing requirement for these other modes (other than the written test) so why should there be one for morse??  If you enjoy it, then use it!   I work in television with people much younger than myself who have never even heard morse code yet they are great engineers.  Being a qualified, knowledgeable, polite operator has nothing to do with passing a code test.  Stop worrying about CB'ers.  Everyone should have a chance to improve and better themselves ("you are the company you keep&quot.  If they don't meet the standards, then Mr. Hollingsworth would, and be expected by us to fine them or pull their ticket!  I meet many, many interesting and unique people on SSB and expect to for many years to come.  Lets make ham radio a good place for us all to come and enjoy our common interests!

Greg N4WVE

 

I HAVE COME TO CONCLUSION that most hams are incapable to GO ON with their lives saying "OK, the FCC made their decision about dropping the code and I have to find a way to live with it."

OR, I have come to the conclusion that most people here DON'T have any other life., or anything else to do in life other than being in front of a computer every day all day, and don't have anything else to do at all.

PLEASE, tell me how you don't have anything to do other being in front of a computer arguing about code so I can get all of this time.

 

After obtaining my Extra class ticket, I finally got to hang out on that portion of the band and enjoy the benifits earned from the long nights of studies. What I found was operators that were rude, not giving their call sign as they should and in one instance calling me a "Nubie" and telling me to go away. Gosh that was one heck of an eye opener. I just blew it off and went along until a discussion on code verses no code came up with a fellow ham who has been an Extra for some years now. I felt that it would be opening up the Pandora's Box for ham radio to do away with the code portion of the exam... yup I even felt that way before I passed it too. He stated, "Have you listened to the Extra portion of the bands lately?"  I paused and realized he was right. Some of those "old timers" who had passed the code, had the manners of a CB'er.  Most I have to say were great but it's like a bad experience at a restaurant, you always recall the bad ones more so than the great ones. I welcome every new ham and those to come. After all this is a hobby of communication. Be friendly and be a good Elmer. I welcome no code.

Paul - K5HSV

 

Lets see:

You all can say that I am one who does not care... The fight still lingers... Over what

I work both phone and CW..... I HOPE the new Extras stay on phone.... Please.... The CW sub-bands have been reduced while the phone has been expanded......

What's wrong with that ??

It is easier ( less congested ) on CW..... Unless the new guys wish to jump on the morse bandwagon,
with their blistering 5 - 10 wpm, the older hams have NOTHING to worry about.. Just be courteous and let the phone rift take care of itself..... That IS the answer.....

Serious CW ops WILL learn or back up to Phone....


What is the secret ?? It will happen..... Just hope the REAL CW ops will retain their composure and sevility as in the past years...


It's a no brainer......Most people can talk.... PHONE for them ... DONE.....as as us lesser peons survive the ( shrunken CW ) Subands..... ....

Seems there are more " I don't Wannas " Than there are "Wannas "....

We can't loose.... Everyone wins...
How many Extra class ops want to go to the CW sub-bands to show off their 5 + wpm arrogance ( without computers and the like )

?
This is NOT a NEGATIVE post... Just a realistic one ...!!!


We as amateurs have been divided on this thought for months ... years.....


Let'er rip !!!! Fallout too !!!

JB WØJBC




Let the game playout.....Get both qualifications in the mix.....

Shake them up and you will find the slurry will be the proof.....

The top sludge will be phone operators......Attempting to be recognized by the self serving old guys.....

The bottom slurry might actually learn some skill.... ( not all ) ...


Let the slurry learn as the the Sugar ( Molasses ) of the cane fields......


Simple .... Simple ..... Simple..





JB WØJBC


PS I need not tell my op speed as others do on avatars...
I don't need to advertise ( why do they do that anyway ? To BRAG !!! ) Talk the talk then walk the walk ... Without computers or keyers ...