FCC MUM ON MORSE CODE ISSUE

It will never happen. Learn code or don’t learn code. Upgrade or stay where you are. Choices or simple. Yes I am a tech. so what I am happy here. And yeppers many you have talked to me on 6 meters cw. So hey I learned the code just have littlie interest in upgrading at this time.

 

I have a feeling, perhaps naive, that the FCC may just keep the code requirement after all.

They know that amateur radio is steeped in traditions, and that changing things will disgruntle a whole bunch of folks...well, changing things THAT drastically will, anyway.

My bet is they reverse the proposal at some point.

 

I'm not going to recomment as I just commented in another thread, but I'll keep it brief:

5 years before this decision happens, and I'd say dropping vs dropping....if you're a horse betting kind of person, hedge your bets and drop an even amount on both, because its neck and neck at the moment......

I hope they do keep it, if not to end the whining, but just to keep it there. Yes, I'm a NCT and I just made that statement. Pick yourself off the floor.

 

It seems that Even Fred Enjoys adding to the Code/No Code Debate

(I say in Jest, just encase you don’t get my sense of humour!!)
73
Regards,
Andrew M3KCK

 

Joshua...

Trust me on this, man...I value your 13 years of experience far more than your operating license. I know several Techs here at my QTH that I would just as soon ask advice from than an Extra...except obviously for CW operating advice, but that is a given.

While I feel upgrading my license has given me some added respect as a new amateur (I get treated less like "the new kid" now)...it certainly doesn't equal more than a decade of operating.

So, I wasn't surprised at your statement that you would like the requirement to stay. I have read enough of your posts to understand that you aren't a slacker, and you have made THE MOST of the privelages you have, which can in a way make a Technician shine over a one-demensional person of a higher class.

I hope you find time to study. My honest injun advice is that learning it is more of a mental block than anything. It really IS easy, if you spend a solid week of training on the alphabet and numbers, you'll have 90% of it down, the rest is just practice, and that takes repetition. This is not much different than learning a new video game (if you want to draw a parallel) I remember as a kid how difficult it was to transition from the basic ATARI joystick to the Nintendo Paddle with all the function buttons. After a while, the Nintendo buttons became second nature and a joystick felt foreign. CW is much the same.

 

do u mean The Da Vinci Code?

 

Advice from the FCC to NCTs thinking about upgrading. Its what I have been saying for 3 years.

And whomever said there are a few Techs out there who could teach new Extras a thing or two, you're spot on. It has nothing to do with license class, but with motivation. Stay where you are if you want, but if you want to upgrade, pass the test.

 

You read it. There it is right from the horse's mouth. That advice from within the FCC is living proof that you should not hold your breath when it comes to our government taking action on an issue. The only time that the fast track is taken is when the White House demands it, like with BPL. Without intervention from the Prez, it takes years.

You can expect the FCC to issue an R&O in late 2008 (if they issue one at all), with any rule changes going into effect sometime in 2009. This should coincide with the re-farming of the Novice sub bands and the elimination of SW broadcast interference on 40m.

Learn how our government works. It is ssssssssssssssssssllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!

Take the advice from the FCC staffer. That person knows what he (or she) is talking about.

 

Yep, I know I could do it in a week.

Heck, I could do it in 2 weeks if I could get back to a normal 40 hour work week.....

I just have this funny feeling that the only way its gonna happen....is to find another job, as the light at the tunnel has been promised for a while but that freight train isn't coming my way yet.

I even have the software. Correction, TWO different copies of software. Just need that ol time thing.

But like I said, I'm not a betting man, but NCI best not break out the bubbly yet. I could see the FCC throwing them a nice curveball, and hey, if Bonds can't hit one out of the park as of late, I'm not betting on NCI swinging away at it and nessicarily winning at this point either.

Speaking of which, 6 was open for a bit last night. Just afraid to go above 25W due to TVI. 2m SSB was going good too.

 

Joshua,
Not sure if you can get away with this, but what I did to prepare for the code test was to spend my lunch hour on the computer taking practice morse tests on www.aa9pw.com. For the last few weeks before I took the test (that was in January) I did 2 or 3 practice tests a day while eating the lunch my XYL lovingly prepared for me. And you know what? I passed, no problem. Now I just have to reprogram my head to work at higher speeds...because that 5wpm stuff is a mental deathtrap of counting dits and dahs.

Either way, good luck to you when you get the opportunity to knuckle down and knock it out. ;-)

 

Just for clarification:

It takes about 10 minutes to log in to QRZ.COM and read new messages, maybe longer if you type responses. 10 minutes CW practice with a program like www.morsecat.de a day is enough to learn the code in 60 days or less.

We can do without you for 60 days and when you pass your test, we'll give you a BIG welcome back!!

 

Well when the goverment stated better learn the code well....... Learn it i have been trying for 4 months ill try some more and take element one I took my general theory apr and passed i dont want it to go so goverment hard at work oh well

 

You see me posting a lot, but my job has me in and out of this guard shack (yes, I'm a rent a cop) constantly.

I post pretty steadily, yes, but some posts are the result of coming in, typing a few letters, helping a truck driver, typing another sentence, checking a truck out, answering the phone, answering the radio (the work one) typing a few more, etc.

From what I've heard from many, you need uninterrupted time periods, but not to exceed 20 minutes. Avoid burnout

And I don't get a lunch break here. Since I'm the only guard at the gate, except for when I lock it for bathroom breaks, I'm 'on duty' for 8 hours. Lunch is achieved by having a few bites between trucks

But hey, I'll get it. I'm still crossing fingers and toes to be out here 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I don't mind the job. Just living here 6 days a week in excess of 8 hours a day is the issue, really. Ok, truck drivers who don't bathe are an issue too. Different topic for a different thread.

I also don't "zed" much from home at all. On rare occasions. This just fills the momentary gaps. I read the mail more than posting, definetely.

(Note: Posting this at 12:45. Started this at 12:29. Few interruptions)

 

Wow all the no-coders are against dropping cw requirements, in fact so was I before I upgraded while this was being discussed a couple of years ago. Who is the ARRL speaking for when drafting these proposals to begin with?