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United States: FCC Ends Morse requirements for amateur radio

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 5:10 am
by w4clm
As the article states it is truly the end of an era.
73, Russ W6OHM
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1


In the opinion of the Fox Tango club administrator:

It’s not the end of an ERA, it’s the end of our self respect! And only goes to reaffirm that we as a people want everything for nothing without having to work for it.
Carol W4CLM
Administrator Fox Tango International
Http://www.foxtango.org

Sad State of Affairs

Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 6:43 pm
by kc0cf
All I can say is, go listen to the Free band Frequencies, say 27.365-27.800 Mhz, and now ask your self, is this the caliber of individuals you want to communicate with? If it's all about money, so the Big 3 Radio producers can sell radios, then maybe it's time to start a new hobby and dump all of our ham radio gear on the used market here on QTH.com, in turn this should lower the amount of money the Big three can ask for there new Radios, swamp the market with gear driving the price down, and then they ( the BIG 3) can get busy retrofitting all the icom pro 3's and FT-2000's with roger beeps and echo mic's. Watch for a BIG influx of Extra Class licenses, they (the CB'rs), will figgure out how to buy there ticket. In the end, those of us who worked to learn the code, just as if it were a second language, will no longer have the Morse code (language) in common among ham radio operators. Pretty sad day as far as I can see it, any one have any insights into the positive aspects of this change? :cry: :cry:

Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:32 pm
by n9vao
First off I want to say that I am not against CW, I had to learn it to go from Tech to general.
I can't believe what I have been reading on QTH.com and on many other web sites about the FCC dropping the code. Why are so many people putting a lable on "everyone" that will come into the amateur bands after the code is dropped as nothing but trouble? To those people I ask, "do you really think that learning the code takes you from sinner to saint"? I don't think so, just tune around and listen to the garbage talk and music being played now. I also realize that not everyone is perfect and yes we will get some bad with the good but I don't think we should be saying that all that enter will be bad.
The next thing I'm seeing are people saying they will now get rid of their key's because we don't need to learn the code any more. Why? I did not read anywhere that the FCC said you can't use code any more. If you like CW then keep it going, don't quit. Now is your chance to show others that you went one step further and enjoy a form of communications that can get thru when all else won't.
Remember that CB is a band that nobody watches anymore and anything goes. We as amateurs have to stick together and watch that our frequencies stay the best they can be and work at keeping them clean.

FCC Drops Morse Code From Amateur Radio Exams

Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:18 am
by WA9WVX
I hate to see the Morse Code being dropped from the Amateur Radio License Exams because it was one thing to define this great hobby. The Amateur Radio Community had a certain level of knowledge and determination to conquer and pass the CW / Morse Code and Electronics Theory portions of each testing level: Novice, Technician, General, Advanced and Extra Class Licenses. We take great pride in knowing that we hold Amateur Radio Licenses and conduit ourselves more on a professional level on and off the air.

Unfortunately Amateur Radio mimmicks todays society in life and like so many other things that have occured throughout the years. The dumming down of our public educational system, the people that teach and the students that learn the minimum knowledge some how manage to scrape by in life. These same people never seem to strive for a challenge or cherious an achievement, just "give me" everything on a silver platter and I'll never appreciate what I have or the time it took to learn, earn and enjoy what I've accomplished.

For now over 38 years as a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, I've talked to people on and off the air from all walks of life that stepped up and accepted the challenge to learn Morse Code and the Electronic Theory to pass the license exams and not one of the people had the license handed to them on a silver platter, we all earned the licenses the hard way.

73,

Dan
WA9WVX

FEAR OF CB RADIO

Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:03 pm
by Mark Johnson
I have been a radio nut since i was 12 years old playing with old heathkit lunchbox cb radio kits and learning mores code was the only problem that kept me from obtaining my novice license or any other class of license. :twisted:
I have past all test from tech to extra and i am for one glad they finally stopped the code requirments for a license, :) I could not stand the sound of morse code it just grates on my nerves like a scratch on a chalkboard !! :shock:
so i was denied the priveladge of a license...based on this alone, :evil: Now the part about cb'ers being of a lower class of people shame on you snerts for saying that :x radio is for all people not just dits and daa freaks who in most cases were forced to learn code and most of which hated it and didnt keep a workiing code key in the shack after they got the required code level.
I have had a cb radio since i was 12 and had many a great qso with many other hams on cb band, as a matter of fact I installed the local ham clubs towers and grounding systems where i used to live and even built the antenna.
my knowledge of radio is vast compared to so many so called superior hams with code knowlegde and this is why so many cb'ers wouldnt be caught dead in ham radio or anything to do with it because of the holy'er and thou attitudes of so many wanting to keep others from there beloved ham radio bands, Yes lots of cb operates illegal with huge amplifiers causing tvi and interference,Then consider most of the big cb linears are built by hams to support there ham radio needs and desires and how many dxers have ran just a little extra RF to the antenna to crash a pile up in contest be honest guys were all in this for fun and games don't just say bad things about cb radio to many are still cb equiped with a cb radio by ranger and a texas star 12 pack in some cases driving a 64 pill big box with a call signed license plate on the back! :roll: so he who is without sin cast the first stone :D

RE: FEAR OF CB RADIO

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2007 8:17 pm
by kc0cf
Like you Mark, we all have our personal opinions, and that is why this country is so great, we all can have an opinion and post it in public with out fear of persecution .
Personally , as a licensed Advanced class operator I think I can live with the loss of these CBer's that you, Mr. Johnson described in your reply that you wouldn't be caught dead upgrading and comming onto the ham bands. To clarify my position, I don't feel I am better than the Freebander's, just different, and am glad not to be counted as a illegal renegade. Listen to 28.000-28.300 there are scores of these rejects running hundreds, even thousands of watts on am, FM, ssb interfering with many 10 meter CW qso's and beacons, which is a violiation of federal law. As for hams using in excess of legal limit, they are no different than people who choose not to obey the speed limits on our interstates, WHEN they get caught, they WILL pay for there lawlessness. My only other comments to Mark would be, since you can't spell the word "Morse" code correctly maybe you should learn to read and write FIRST, before tackling the "mores" code, eh? And what the devil is a "PILL" some sort of a Hy-breed roger beep? Enough said? :roll:

PERFECT EXAMPLE RIGHT HERE !!

Posted: Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:11 pm
by Mark Johnson
Look what replied, The word snob spelled right? The spell check function may have missed a word, your so smart to see it omg may we touch your snob pointed head ! Never miss quote when the text your quoting is just above your quotes, I never condoned over powering any station ham or cb, nor did i support any illegal use of radio or equipment. Many cb operators are as legal as you try to appear to be, you seem rather defensive of speeders on the interstate system, i bet your one of the speeders and I bet you would be glad to build a cber any amp he could afford to pay you for. And i bet you run max legal power + 25%,,,Just so you know I have 28 years driving with no violations, Thanks for making my point, Your such a fine example of the arragent few that ruin a fun hobby for so many people who may use pocket liners and 7 colors of pencils just like you. Sorry you seem to have an obsession with roger beeps next time you go to a truck stop see the man in the radio shop he can install a roger beep for you, And then get on channel 19 and tell all the truckers on there you don't approve of there use of the cb radio put on a pink shirt and stand out in the middle of the parking lot.
When you get out of the hospital post your findings then.Last but of course not least i made a typo in an informal posting You elegantly quoted as a focal point of your mindless post about mores code or morris code or is mosses code i prefer to call mindless code used in primitave times of short circuit transmitting interefence,,I thought mores code should have been done away with back in the 60's when singlesideband was developed and made mores code obsolete, But some liked it, Some did not, Now it's gone and soon will be forgoten ?? God Bless The USA 73's to all !!

FCC New test rules

Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:01 pm
by lchub
I see where there is a lot of gloom and doom fellings on this subject.
I am a new Ham and I have a lifetime in the electronic field.I did not ask the FCC to change the requirements nor do I ask for any favors. Due to my social and other standards, I could not get ham status till later in life.Now I can use the radios I have so wanted.
All the people here in my area take great pride in showing and teaching new hams how to use and operate in the high standards on there radios. This will determine the new no code hams attitudes toward the rest of the hobby.
Thanks to all that will and are going to help the new Ham operators.

Preston KI4NWK

Good to Hear You

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:08 am
by Mark Johnson
I am going to take the test as soon as I can and I will operate My station with the highest standards and the biggest antenna i can place on support system(tree) and I may not even use an amplifier ! Just use a barefoot radio and get the antennas right before trying to use high power. I have been using 4 watts for 40 years and I am sure I can handle a ham rig with 40 times the 4 watts.
I am excited to say the least and hope to be dxing with the best of the hams in a few months if i can get it all together and get a ride to the exams place. For Me the no code thing is a really big deal and a chance to do what i tried to do so many times over the years. I hope anyone who has really tried and failed is able to now obtain a license and be able to explore all the neat stuff you can do with ham radio. I love ham fest and been to antenna parties and field days
and know how to ham it up with the best of them now I can talk also finally !!
I found a perfect spot on a mountain just 18 miles from my house with a fantastic view over looking miles of flat land with room to trow up a nice long wire and dx away for days or the gas runs out, or even a yagi if i have a few helpers and with 14 grandkids to teach and coach i will have help ;) 73's Mark

Freebanders, pirates, LIDS, crouches, whackos...

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:58 pm
by K4ICL
With or without the code it is still the greatest hobby in the world!

The freebanders, pirates, LIDS, crouches, whackos, and stupid have always been there.

So have the real hams of all abilities who will help other hams and not require some payment in return; who appreciate the hobby for what it is and who guard their honor and value their word.

I salute the latter and try to ignore the former, when possible.

nuff said...

K4ICL

Re: Freebanders, pirates, LIDS, crouches, whackos...

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:37 pm
by KN4N
K4ICL wrote:With or without the code it is still the greatest hobby in the world!

The freebanders, pirates, LIDS, crouches, whackos, and stupid have always been there.

So have the real hams of all abilities who will help other hams and not require some payment in return; who appreciate the hobby for what it is and who guard their honor and value their word.

I salute the latter and try to ignore the former, when possible.

nuff said...

K4ICL
I agree with Albert. In our 40 + years as a HAM, we have seen a lot of changes in amateur radio licenses, and more will come. I do not think dropping the code requirements will hurt the hobby. I used to run 35 WPM code but now I doubt if I could copy 10 WPM due to my defective hearing. The one BIG thing I think the FCC did wrong was to give the answers to the test! That was a BIG MISTAKE....in 1968 the FCC came up with their incentive license program some folks lost operating operating fq and had to re-test to upgrade to advanced or extra ( without the answers to test) and set before the FCC to take the test! Well, look where we all are now! In the same pot, so to speek as the new hams. SO, lets just enjoy the hobby as it is....who knows what the FCC will do later, may even put the application in the box with the radio and just want your name and address!

freebanders lids etc

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:10 am
by KF6PLG
hello, all at least the operators on this forum are civil. go to eham and qrz and see how quickly the no code general light subject turns into a PIS#ing match. Its nice to know some of us can still see both points of view and discuss the points of view without getting out of hand. have a great week everyone
73 de terry KF6PLG

Post Reply - NO CODE

Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:50 am
by KI4NRP
I think it is a change, a change for good or bad who knows? but you either change and roll with the punchs. or let it pass you by. knowmatter wich we are in this togather so old timers in the word of ol' sam walton " never be so set in your ways that you cannot change" P.S I respect ALL BAND And MODES of communication they all have the same general purpose just maybe a slightly diffrent LINGO.

thank you,
KI4NRP

Louisville, KY