Finally, after a long wait since the public comment period, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse Code Requirement. The dreaded 5 wpm requirement will be gone! The Commission has adopted, but has not yet released the Report & Order, but it looks like it will be out around February, 2007. For more information, check out the ARRL website.
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Prediction.....
Without morse code, everyone will get a license and the ham radio bands will get as crowded as the CB bands and you wont be able to talk to anyone more than a few miles away. This is a great victory for those too lazy to learn Morse code.
Without morse code, everyone will get a license and the ham radio bands will get as crowded as the CB bands and you wont be able to talk to anyone more than a few miles away. This is a great victory for those too lazy to learn Morse code.
just another example of
lowering the standards of accomplishment to meet society which doesn't want to work for anything. The only effort-evoking part of the test is gone! The current multiple choice test is hardly a test at all given the Q/As are readily available for free. Just listen on CB (or marine VHF and warm Sunday) to hear what no licensing produces
lowering the standards of accomplishment to meet society which doesn't want to work for anything. The only effort-evoking part of the test is gone! The current multiple choice test is hardly a test at all given the Q/As are readily available for free. Just listen on CB (or marine VHF and warm Sunday) to hear what no licensing produces
Oh, come on!!!
The 5 WPM code requirement was only slightly more demanding than learning enough of the theory, practice and law to pass the 35-question written tests. It was a different story back when it was 13WPM. And with everybody using the SSB for voice and winlink e-mails anyway these days, the morse was pretty much a dinosaur and hazing ritual, rather than a practical skill. Has the lack of ANY licensing AT ALL for marine VHF in the US ruined that medium?
The 5 WPM code requirement was only slightly more demanding than learning enough of the theory, practice and law to pass the 35-question written tests. It was a different story back when it was 13WPM. And with everybody using the SSB for voice and winlink e-mails anyway these days, the morse was pretty much a dinosaur and hazing ritual, rather than a practical skill. Has the lack of ANY licensing AT ALL for marine VHF in the US ruined that medium?
Morse Testing
I believe the Morse requirements are being dropped only for Technicians and not Novice, General, Advanced or Extra Class Licenses. They also mention having to pass a 5 word requirement and I believe it is only 5 WPM for Novice, 13 WPM for General. "Candidates for General or Amateur Extra testing between now and the effective date of the new rules will still have to pass Element 1 (5 WPM Morse code) to obtain new privileges. Those earning Element 3 or Element 4 credit between now and the effective date of the new rules will receive a CSCE from the VE team. Once the new rules are in place, anyone holding a valid CSCE may apply for an upgrade at a VE examination session and will have to pay the $14 fee." Greg W. KA9WPG - General Class
I believe the Morse requirements are being dropped only for Technicians and not Novice, General, Advanced or Extra Class Licenses. They also mention having to pass a 5 word requirement and I believe it is only 5 WPM for Novice, 13 WPM for General. "Candidates for General or Amateur Extra testing between now and the effective date of the new rules will still have to pass Element 1 (5 WPM Morse code) to obtain new privileges. Those earning Element 3 or Element 4 credit between now and the effective date of the new rules will receive a CSCE from the VE team. Once the new rules are in place, anyone holding a valid CSCE may apply for an upgrade at a VE examination session and will have to pay the $14 fee." Greg W. KA9WPG - General Class
I predict
I predict that no one will notice. CB jammed with traffic? I wouldn't know, it's been 20 years or more since anyone I know had a CB set. With the cost of satellite phones coming down each year and increased Cellular coverage. The options to HAM and SSB radios look pretty good. I seriously doubt that people will flock to get HAM sets just because the requirement for reading code has been dropped. If nothing else, a few more sets will help keep the HAM frequencies reserved for that use. It's a case of use it or loose it. It would be interesting to compare the cost of satellite service for e-mail, voice, and weather files to the cost of a HAM/SSB set-up that does the same.
I predict that no one will notice. CB jammed with traffic? I wouldn't know, it's been 20 years or more since anyone I know had a CB set. With the cost of satellite phones coming down each year and increased Cellular coverage. The options to HAM and SSB radios look pretty good. I seriously doubt that people will flock to get HAM sets just because the requirement for reading code has been dropped. If nothing else, a few more sets will help keep the HAM frequencies reserved for that use. It's a case of use it or loose it. It would be interesting to compare the cost of satellite service for e-mail, voice, and weather files to the cost of a HAM/SSB set-up that does the same.
Actually Moody I still have a CB
And use quite often, took a trip of 600 miles this last weekend to see my Grandson and had it on the whole trip. I know were the police are before they know. Gets me around accidents on trips. on and on. Handle is "Pigpen", I've had for 30 years. Jim S/V Java
And use quite often, took a trip of 600 miles this last weekend to see my Grandson and had it on the whole trip. I know were the police are before they know. Gets me around accidents on trips. on and on. Handle is "Pigpen", I've had for 30 years. Jim S/V Java
For All Classes
Greg, The FCC currently does not require code for a Tech license. This will drop the requirement for ALL amateur license classes. The ARRL Had asked taht the current 5 wpm be kept for Amateur Extra class, but the FCC drpped the requirement across the board.
Greg, The FCC currently does not require code for a Tech license. This will drop the requirement for ALL amateur license classes. The ARRL Had asked taht the current 5 wpm be kept for Amateur Extra class, but the FCC drpped the requirement across the board.
AMEN
Couldnt agree with you more don. I remeber when lic were required for cb usage. It was definately more Professional . As far as the 5 wpm code requirement? I feel it is pure lazyness. Copying 5 wpm in code is barley more than learning the code. Stop and think abt it . 5 wpm is 1 " one " character every 12 secs. In the military , I had to be proficcient at 24 wpm. As far as VHF goes, We professional mariners rely on vhf ch 13 and 16 for position reporting " as required by the USCG" and have to put up with pleasure boaters, shrimpers, " vietnamese i might add that refuse to speak english. Our position reports for safe navigation are stepped on and garbled by such jabber and clutter. If i were coming around a bend with 800 foot of barges carrying LPG, or unleaded gas, Wouldnt you want to know it before you saw me and heard the BOOM? Removing the lic requirment merely lowered the proffesionalism and safety we have grown acustom to over the years.
Couldnt agree with you more don. I remeber when lic were required for cb usage. It was definately more Professional . As far as the 5 wpm code requirement? I feel it is pure lazyness. Copying 5 wpm in code is barley more than learning the code. Stop and think abt it . 5 wpm is 1 " one " character every 12 secs. In the military , I had to be proficcient at 24 wpm. As far as VHF goes, We professional mariners rely on vhf ch 13 and 16 for position reporting " as required by the USCG" and have to put up with pleasure boaters, shrimpers, " vietnamese i might add that refuse to speak english. Our position reports for safe navigation are stepped on and garbled by such jabber and clutter. If i were coming around a bend with 800 foot of barges carrying LPG, or unleaded gas, Wouldnt you want to know it before you saw me and heard the BOOM? Removing the lic requirment merely lowered the proffesionalism and safety we have grown acustom to over the years.
Chuck can you say Elitism?
I took a code class at Keesler AFB and couldn't manage the effort, But I can and have repaired those radios that you depend upon. There was a time that sailing was the sport of the very wealthy and open water navigation was by sextant and watch. Would you demand that all boat owners pass a celestial navigation exam before they were permitted the sail. Now celestial I can do but Morse code I can not.
I took a code class at Keesler AFB and couldn't manage the effort, But I can and have repaired those radios that you depend upon. There was a time that sailing was the sport of the very wealthy and open water navigation was by sextant and watch. Would you demand that all boat owners pass a celestial navigation exam before they were permitted the sail. Now celestial I can do but Morse code I can not.
Ross has a good point
although I'm not sure it's the one he intended to make. Not that I'm advocating this but think about it - if there was a prerequisite that all boaters learned navigation, celestial or otherwise, look how many idiots we've all seen or heard about that would cease to continue to endanger both us and themselves. Sorry Ross but I think you're right but for the wrong reason
although I'm not sure it's the one he intended to make. Not that I'm advocating this but think about it - if there was a prerequisite that all boaters learned navigation, celestial or otherwise, look how many idiots we've all seen or heard about that would cease to continue to endanger both us and themselves. Sorry Ross but I think you're right but for the wrong reason
Don, there is no cure for stupid.
I know people that sail without charts, with compasses that are completely out of whack. They would be completely lost if the fog closed in five miles from home. Ham Radio is wonderful but not needed. I was qualified as a journeyman radio repairman in the Air Force but have no desire for chit chat with others whenI am on my boat. I don't have a cell phone and don't see one in my future. When I put out to sea I don't want to be disturbed by the world that I left on shore. I doubt that you could send an emergency message via Morse Code as reliably as you could send a SSB message in plain language. CW was used because it provided greater range and reliability before the advances in modern modulation methods. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday will get you help much more quickly than ...---... ...---... ...---...
I know people that sail without charts, with compasses that are completely out of whack. They would be completely lost if the fog closed in five miles from home. Ham Radio is wonderful but not needed. I was qualified as a journeyman radio repairman in the Air Force but have no desire for chit chat with others whenI am on my boat. I don't have a cell phone and don't see one in my future. When I put out to sea I don't want to be disturbed by the world that I left on shore. I doubt that you could send an emergency message via Morse Code as reliably as you could send a SSB message in plain language. CW was used because it provided greater range and reliability before the advances in modern modulation methods. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday will get you help much more quickly than ...---... ...---... ...---...
Laziness??
Please!! Code has been a requirement to get on the HF bands for so many years, but let's call it what it really is---a mode of radio operation. Those who are hams are familiar with various modes; phone, CW, SSTV, etc. and one that I really like, APRS. I provide a couple of digipeaters on sites in my area for all hams to use. I get frustrated with the Advanced, General, and Extra class operators who claim "a real radio operator uses a key". CW is a mode of operation. Think CB is bad? Listen to some of the amateur operators up on 75 meters. They had to learn code to get priviledges to get on this band. You'll learn words and phrases you've never heard before (or want to hear again). Try to get them on APRS and they don't want to because they're not interested in this mode of operation. FINE!! They're not lazy... they're just not interested. I won't use CW because I'm not interested in this mode of operation. Yea, I'm a lowly, no-account, no-code Technician licensee, but I plan to upgrade by taking the "simple" theory tests. I will remain on APRS, I'll broaden my activity on PSK31 (another mode of operation) and I sincerly promise that I will not darken the hallowed band hallways of the CW operators. But I can't wait to work distant sailors on the HF bands, via a variety of modes, from wherever their travels take them. Elitism indeed! 73's/KA4KMA
Please!! Code has been a requirement to get on the HF bands for so many years, but let's call it what it really is---a mode of radio operation. Those who are hams are familiar with various modes; phone, CW, SSTV, etc. and one that I really like, APRS. I provide a couple of digipeaters on sites in my area for all hams to use. I get frustrated with the Advanced, General, and Extra class operators who claim "a real radio operator uses a key". CW is a mode of operation. Think CB is bad? Listen to some of the amateur operators up on 75 meters. They had to learn code to get priviledges to get on this band. You'll learn words and phrases you've never heard before (or want to hear again). Try to get them on APRS and they don't want to because they're not interested in this mode of operation. FINE!! They're not lazy... they're just not interested. I won't use CW because I'm not interested in this mode of operation. Yea, I'm a lowly, no-account, no-code Technician licensee, but I plan to upgrade by taking the "simple" theory tests. I will remain on APRS, I'll broaden my activity on PSK31 (another mode of operation) and I sincerly promise that I will not darken the hallowed band hallways of the CW operators. But I can't wait to work distant sailors on the HF bands, via a variety of modes, from wherever their travels take them. Elitism indeed! 73's/KA4KMA
"No Girls Allowed In Tree House!"
The crusty old timers who think Morse should be kept to keep the girls out of their treehouse, need to think about a new rite of passage. Something serious to REALLY keep the wimps out, like whole body tribal scarring. And then, they need to be required to sense Morse like real men, sending it with a straight key, A0 emissions only, home built spark-gap generator only. Oh, wait, even with that there's a reason that professional telegraphers referred to "ham fisted amateurs" sending out clumsy code. It's nothing to be proud of. One language out of 6000+ spoken on this planet, and one that isn't of much use compared to many others. The only reason the FCC required Morse was to provide the War Department (now DoD) with a trained pool of draftee radio operators in case of war, and now that the DoD has substantially dropped Morse (they use it as a cryptography skill, and to harass Annapolis plebes, but there are no "Signalmen" anymore) there's just no reason for the "rite of passage" to bar everyone else from the many other uses of radio. (Complying with the old ITU requirement for Morse was a courtesy, servicing the War Department was a "Reason".)
The crusty old timers who think Morse should be kept to keep the girls out of their treehouse, need to think about a new rite of passage. Something serious to REALLY keep the wimps out, like whole body tribal scarring. And then, they need to be required to sense Morse like real men, sending it with a straight key, A0 emissions only, home built spark-gap generator only. Oh, wait, even with that there's a reason that professional telegraphers referred to "ham fisted amateurs" sending out clumsy code. It's nothing to be proud of. One language out of 6000+ spoken on this planet, and one that isn't of much use compared to many others. The only reason the FCC required Morse was to provide the War Department (now DoD) with a trained pool of draftee radio operators in case of war, and now that the DoD has substantially dropped Morse (they use it as a cryptography skill, and to harass Annapolis plebes, but there are no "Signalmen" anymore) there's just no reason for the "rite of passage" to bar everyone else from the many other uses of radio. (Complying with the old ITU requirement for Morse was a courtesy, servicing the War Department was a "Reason".)
I carry a CW Key
I took the ham tests in 1959 and used CW a lot. As a teenager, I could make a CW transmitter for a few bucks then. The only ones using SSB was Bell Labs at that time. I later built a modulator so I could "talk" to the others on AM. In those 47 years I have tried most of the ham modes and have had fun. I no longer use CW that much. The only ham radio that I use is on the boat and it is used mainly for email using pactor and Winlink. If I really needed to communicate, I can reliabilly transmit at 10 watts using CW or other digital modes. I don't care how the new hams get their licenses, just don't clutter the frequencies with "radio checks" like on Marine VHF channel 16. Bill, K5CKO
I took the ham tests in 1959 and used CW a lot. As a teenager, I could make a CW transmitter for a few bucks then. The only ones using SSB was Bell Labs at that time. I later built a modulator so I could "talk" to the others on AM. In those 47 years I have tried most of the ham modes and have had fun. I no longer use CW that much. The only ham radio that I use is on the boat and it is used mainly for email using pactor and Winlink. If I really needed to communicate, I can reliabilly transmit at 10 watts using CW or other digital modes. I don't care how the new hams get their licenses, just don't clutter the frequencies with "radio checks" like on Marine VHF channel 16. Bill, K5CKO
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