This just in…
Washington, D.C. – April 1, 2014 – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) approved Report and Order 14-987af which reinstates the Morse Code test for General Class and Amateur Extra Class licensees. “It was a big mistake eliminating the Morse Code test,” admits Dotty Dasher, the FCC’s director of examinations. “We now realize that being able to send and receive Morse Code is an essential skill for radio amateurs. As they say, it really does get through when other modes can’t.”
Not only will new applicants have to take the test, but General Class licensees who have never passed a code test will have one year to pass a 5-wpm code test. Similarly, Amateur Extra class licensees that never passed a code test will have one year to pass a 13-wpm test. Those amateurs that fail to pass the test will face revocation of their operating privileges. Materials for administering the examinations will be distributed to Volunteer Examiner Coordinators by the end of April, so that they can begin the testing on May 1, 2014.
“This isn’t going to be one of those silly multiple-choice type tests,” noted Dasher. “We’re going to be sending five-character random code groups, just like we did in the old days. And, applicants will have to prove that they can send, too, using a poorly adjusted straight key.”
Technician Class licensees will not be required to take a Morse Code test, nor will a test be required for new applicants. “We discussed it,” said Dasher, “but decided that since most Techs can’t even figure out how to program their HTs, requiring them to learn Morse Code seemed like cruel and unusual punishment.”
When asked what other actions we might see from the FCC, Dasher hinted that in the future applicants taking the written exam may be required to draw circuit diagrams, such as Colpitts oscillators and diode ring mixers, once again. “We’re beginning to think that if an applicant passes an amateur radio license exam it should mean that he or she actually knows something,” she said.
For further information, contact James X. Shorts, Assistant Liaison to the Deputy Chief of Public Relations for the FCC at (202) 555-1212 or [email protected]. For more news and information about the FCC, please visit www.fcc.gov.
April Fools!
It should be true. The worst thing ever done was to do away with code. It has let a lot of idiots into ham radio. People that know absolutely nothing. It destroyed ham radio.
Well, I disagree. It may have allowed some undesirable people into ham radio, but it’s also opened up the hobby to a lot of folks for whom the code test was an artificial barrier.
There should be classes to learn Morse, even it is no longer required. Lack of stimulation and availability (of organized way to learn) ends up with useful skill missing.
There actually are more ways than ever to learn Morse Code. There are dozens of apps and online resources, including the G4FON CW Trainer, the K7QO Code Course, and LCWO.Net. Anyone that really wants to learn Morse can.
To really develop this skill, however, one has to get on the air. I always tell people to listen to on-air QSOs as they are learning and to get on the air as soon as they know the letters and numbers. Yes, they may bumble through the first couple of QSOs. We all did. Pretty soon, though, they’ll find that they have more confidence and that their code speed will increase. It’s just a matter of how much time they put in to developing this skill.
People who have tested for code AND hold a license should have a area exempt from people who have not, license type specific. It would give them something to work towards…or not. 73, W9RAC
I’m 58 years old and got my tech license in 2014. I decided to go ahead and learn Morse code and I’m using an Android app called Morse Machine ?
I agree, they should have kept the 5 wpm code test.
Tom, I’m a retired Coast Guard radioman. Though I hold dear having a speed key qualification code in my service jacket, anyone can be a sh1tfist rather they THINK they know code or not. By not knowing it doesn’t make one an idiot at all, just puts them in a different class.
Should eliminate automatic transmissions , microwave ovens,calculators and 4 door pickup trucks while we’re at it.
When I took my driving test,for a car AND CDL “A” I had to use standard shift transmission .
When I learned to cook it was on a cast iron skillet,no Teflon pans,
Calculator cost over $ 100 when I did homework
Pickup trucks were all metal 2 door with crank windows and an 8 foot bed.
Didn’t need a mortgage to buy one.
I am an Extra Class amateur operator W5VAN, and can drive a stick shift. I also have a 1971 Ford F-100 with a 3 on the tree.
When my daughter wanted me to sign for license I told her only if she could drive every 4 wheel vehicle we have. That included the pickup and a Toyota Yaris with a five speed. She learned to drive all of them.
Wow! I was thinking about HAM radio as a hobby when I retire. Whether there are “idiots” as HAM enthusiasts or the elder HAM enthusiasts loathe the non-Morse code types, either way I am now not certain.
Sincerely,
William
Don’t let ’em grind you down, William. Learning and using CW is a good way to keep the brain youthful. So is learning any new language or skill. There’s plenty in Ham radio for everyone. I really enjoy CW and use a straight key. I’m good for 13 wpm. A few of us have a slow chat net every morning on 80 meters.
But CW isn’t the only good thing out there. Try it all and make some choices. But, most of all, enjoy getting into an endeavor that can be as simple or as complex as you choose, offers great friends, and affords opportunities for public service. Enjoy.
Damn straight. All I know is that I went from Advanced WB2IWH to EXTRA AF2Y in summer 1978. He’ll, I deserved that promotion because I sweated off my rear studying for it and then passing it in the NYC’S FCC field office. A high pressure morning- that’s for sure. To the devil with the “CB Shortcutters.”
High I am Ron Tramel KA4WYO. I sat at Nadhville Tec. in 1981 for the General. I passed the Code Test and 13 wpm is not that difficult. I had a great teacher and friend in George Womack. I dont use code much now But, It is an important part of ham radio. I was involved with Clark Orbit Birds and other things in the 80’s. But I never forgot those roots. Ham Radio is not CB. It is here for a purpose. I have built many electronic project and a few 3-1000Z and 4-1000 amps from scratch. As a ham you should know code. How to take junk and build a Xmitter that can send C.W.. Look when the power goes down, When the crap hits the fan you are or may be the onky means to save lives. That is why you are a ham. Your computer and internet and cell phone without a grid put the public in worse shape of communications ever since the 1950’s. Yes Code is very important. It is still when all else fails a viable means of communications. Thanks
April Fools!
I hate to say it, but I believed this for a minute. *facepalm*
73,
KD8PUC
I wish the FCC would reinstate the code requirment
73 Tom
This piece of ordure seems to pop out of the sewer-line every April 1st.
The Guomindang will march triumphantly across Tiananmen Square, and the Ecumenical Patriarch will celebrate the Easter Liturgy in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, long before the FCC reinstates a Morse requirement in the ARS.
My, my. Why so testy, Adam?
Hi Dan,
Sorry, didn’t mean to be snappy – but I felt that the point needed to be made.
Whatever. It’s just a joke, dude. A lot of people seemed to enjoy it, and that’s good enough for me.
Reinstating Mose Code: It’s now like someone being required to fix a Model A before they van fix a Tesla Model 3. Completely different training and rudimentary skills NOT compatible.
China will throw their slavery to Xi Jinping away before we reinstate morse code! I do think it should be more readily available OPTIONALLY to study if awareness can be increased. that it’s a neat and useful skill!
Check the date. This was an April Fool’s joke. :)
It’s very easy to find places to learn CW. Potential CW operators can sign up for the CWops’ CW Academy, and the Long Island CW Club teaches lots of classes. In addition, there are literally dozens of apps that one can use to study on their own, including the G4FON CW Trainer, LCWO.Net, and the IZ2UUF smartphone app.
I wish schools would reinstate the spelling requirement.
I wish they would teach cursive writing.
Nah can’t do that, because they would have to fail at least a third of the ‘stoodints’!
I agree Tom. I had my novice license when I was 12, my tech when I was 13 and my General class license when I was 15. When 19 I passed the Second Class Commercial Radio license. That was about 50 years ago. There was never a time I can remember when this argument did not rage. The reason was simple. People who could distinguish themselves by passing the code test wanted to have a special privilege that others could not. It was purely about ego. People pretended that it was about commitment and character and argued that anyone who bothered to go “the whole 9 yards” cared to some degree that others did not. It was as silly as pretending that it was necessary that they run the 100 yard dash in five min.! I knew a PHD. Electronics Eng who built his own transmitter and receiver for the Technician Class bands. I mean, he designed it, and he could not qualify for the 13 wpm code ability. Today I have to retake my license tests including the 13 wpm code test, which I am interested in doing now that I am disabled. But it’s questionable whether or not I can pass that test – when I am home bound and had a career in electronics. Now I need it most. Again, it is just about ego, I wish someone could explain how knowing the mores code , in this day and age is important to what a ham does. He may get a license and never use morse code again. Many do not. But they will be damned before they will allow someone who didn’t jump through the same hops to get it! Even if it was unreasonable for them to have to get it in the first place.
This letter was written in a very condescending way and really got under my skin.. If it is an April fool prank the writer is the fool. KB6NU is a bigger fool for publishing it to his website.
I’m sorry if this offends you, Kevin. It’s just a joke. If you’ve read anything else that I’ve written, you’ll know that I’m anything but condescending, and do what I can to help all hams get the most out of the hobby.
Don’t take it personally, Dan KB6NU, some people have no sense of humor!
I don’t know why, but the fact you got offended made me laugh. I like that fun things makes you feel miserable. You must be fun at parties.
LOL!!! I can’t believe anyone would have gotten offended by this.
Dotty Dasher…that was the instant clue it was April fool…I enjoyed the spoof but also know that the morse code has saved many lives and still remember in WW II when POW’s use to use that as a way of communicating in their camps . I realize that nowadays there are so many ways to communicate but if the power goes out and in the emergency if you still have a flashlite and remember the code you can still get through.
I really enjoyed the article. You had me till the part where us techs can’t program our HT’s. I thought that was brilliant.
To be honest, that was my favorite part, too. :)
OK Dan, you got me hook line and sinker. I am notorious for being a prankster and I should have known better! Good one!
Michele Di Masi, KE6GRN
Hello, Dan. I don’t think we know each other, but I bet you had 10,000 operators sweating like 10 men is a sauna. LMBO. That is really a good one I will say. Have A Great Day!
Thanks, George. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I wanted to believe this so badly. I want the old days back when a ham knew how his radio actually worked. Todays hams are not technically knowledgeable like the hams 30 or 40 years ago. We need morse code. Hams need to be using it. When digital modes fail morse code wil get thru. Our hobby has degraded to the point that I am ashamed to be a ham. Too many fly by wire hams on the air now. I and many like myself are dissillusioned and unbelieveable disappointed at what has become our hobby. How mnay radio men are actually left to complain?
Ha Ha. Very funny. Soon as I saw “Dotty Dash”, I knew it was satire. I love it. Very good.
73,
AE7XQ
CW should be a choice. There are some people who find the sound of CW to be the cause of great anxiety. I am one of them. Still I wish technical aptitude (rf, basic electronics, physics) would have greater importance, in the certification and testing process. Moreover, in the perfect world, amplifiers would be illegal without first completing a number of low power international qso’s e.g. 500 ‘confirmed’ qso’s on low power, before an operator can use 250watts, 500 w, 750 w, …
The big power stations and “contest” mentality are bigger problems on HF than tech’s who don’t know CW.
Sorry guys, as a hater of the CW mode, but an even bigger hater of poor knowledge and bad operating etiquette, I found this prank understandable, but offensive.
Julian, OH8GEJ
And that’s your choice to feel offended. A spoof article about low power dx wouldn’t be that funny. The whole premise of the article was to play on most people’s anxiety over CW. People typically don’t have as much anxiety over qso’s as they do cw, hence the choice for the topic.
N5MRM read this “news item” on the W5HRC repeater. Click here to listen.
I bet a lot of Technicians felt the sting of that shot about not being able to program their HT’s! Of course with the Wouxun radios, you probably have to have a degree in trigonometry to program them without a computer.
I didn’t find the Wouxun to be too difficult to program manually, but the Baofeng UV-5RA was nearly impossible. I don’t know about the degree in trigonometry, but I think an Extra Class license might be helpful. (just kidding, just kidding)
nearly 6 months after, got me.
I am glad this is a joke ‘face palm’ I was ready to sell my rigs after spending 1000’s on rigs and antenna’s etc. if this was true I would be very pissed after trying to upgrade and all this studying and time and effort and to find this out, on another note they should have code back in play with licenses but for cw bands only not for voice and also open up lower bands to voice to the tech’s if you want cw then pass the code test and have that band open for you but restricting cw for the tech it would make sense.
Hi, Brian. I’m glad that you figured it out before you got rid of your rigs. :)
One of my readers wrote to me recently that instead of the current Tech/General/Extra structure, we should maybe have a Novice/General/Extra structure with the Novice test being perhaps a bit easier than the Tech test, but with the same HF privileges that Techs now have, but limited privileges on the VHF/UHF bands. This may be before your time, but when there was a Novice class, the written exam for the Tech and the General Class licenses were the same test.
In any case, I doubt that we’ll ever see a code test requirement again.
If the FCC would listen to 7200 kHz ,14313 kHz or 3843khz then they WOULD bring back the code and make it official that all hams that received a “no code” license will indeed have to take a code test. They took the fun out of amateur radio when these idiots from the cb band got their license and get on a frequencies with their cb jargon and talk all day about amplifiers and how to get over 2 kw from it. Real hams talk about that dx that got away or the ones you worked running low power not 2000 watts.
HI HI!
Had me going for a few milliseconds before I saw the article date. “Jim Shorts” — HA!
Being a “hard way” 20 wpm Extra Class licensee myself, I was a bit disappointed to see the Morse testing requirement go. But it was inevitable. In all fairness, nobody ever had to pass a “speaking voice” audition to pass an amateur radio license exam.
I’ve been inactive for having moved from a private home into a condo complex but I still try to keep track of “ham radio doings.” All I know is that when I used to upgrade after achieving the Novice, I went to FCC HQ in NYC to take the General, cw & written, the Advanced, written and Extra, cw and written and people, those FCC examiners watched you like a hawk. No screwing around, boys and girls. It was either sweat and pass or you’d hear “Finky’s” famous, “See you in 30.” I was astonished to read about the dropping of cw on tests. That’s disgraceful because ham radio began with dit-dahs. By whom? By David Sarnoff in April 1912 when the kid sat up all night copying the names of the survivors of the Titanic. Well if there’s any possibility of my getting back on the bands, I’ll be on 20 with my TR-4C (43 years old) with my Swan 500CX (43 years old). But my secret to success was always my world famous “Cloudwarmer) fixed wire beam that shot RF straight up and without a doubt, was the most effcient antenna on any and all frequencies. I could overcome guys running a gallon to a fancy $3.000 beam. The world of ham radio was shocked by my signal. 20 was relatively dead. I’d get on and at times, sneeze. I would then get “Gesundheit” from New Zealand.
I don’t need to learn morse code. i can program my pc to send morsecode and decode morsecode. done.
I don’t need to learn how to fish. I can just go to the store and buy some. I don’t need to learn how to do woodworking. I can just go to the story and buy furniture.
For some people, fishing and learning how to make their own furniture is a lot more fun than just buying it. Just saying….
What you have said is true, as far as it goes. However, one great advantage of CW is the amazing ability to come through noise: if the discriminator is a human brain. Another point: when things get dicey, you can almost always get a jury-rigged CW on the air.
You had me going there for awhile. I totally believed it! After all, everything you read on the internet is true…
I just got my license and was wondering if all that studying was for nothing!
I’ve been studying Morse Code anyway, but would like to get more proficient. Any suggestions?
My best advice for improving your Morse Code efficiency is to get on the air, early and often. Find the guys with good fists and operating procedures and work them. That’s the way to get better at CW.
I feel it should be required to get Amateur Extra license.
Ham radio was on a decline. The rate of new hams was very low and the attrition rate was taking the numbers down even more. I understand the concern of older hams. I got a doctorate after computers were the norm. I still remember “old timers” lamenting about how if a committee member changed something, that they had to re-type the entire page. They felt new people should also. Computers made the process of writing a dissertation more tolerable and realistic. Ham radio without code, simply followed what many other countries had already done by eliminating it in lieu of digital modes. Statistics now show that the ham radio hobby is climbing at an all time high. Also, now that CW is not required, ham are learning it at a surprisingly high rate. So, old timers, do we have ham radio continue to grow and be healthy in numbers, or do we restrict it and watch it dwindle and die? Bills to protect it and innovations by manufacturers only exist if the populous is there to support it. Just look at the NRA as an example. I was scared of CW and put it off for a long time. I now have an Extra Class license.
I think Morse code should be a add on if you want to use it.
I was shocked when I found out years ago how the code was being eliminated as a form of communication. I understand the advantage of digital satellite communications but there is a distinct need for the continuance of the morse code still, because of its reliability in case other communication modes fail. With all the disruptive activity going on with foreign matters, it might behoove us to heighten and broaden the use of CW Morse Code again. Besides I welcomed the challenge. I was able to achieve a copy speed of 28 wpm in Radioman School. In my Coast Guard career I never tested again but I believe I could surpass that also. But the important thing is to bring it back. It just might be instrumental in saving our lives…
I’m deaf, so learning Morse would be too difficult. However, it does sound a lot like the hearing tests I’ve taken in my 59 years. Lots of beeps and boops. Not too different than listening to R2D2 without captions or subtitles.
There have been hams that have operated Morse Code by touch. They feel the vibrations of the dots and dashes. I’m not sure how fast they could operate, but that seems doable to me. What do you think?
I on the other hand am not a HAM operator, but I practiced using code a lot while I was in the USCG. I am in a type of PTSD state of mind because even though I got out in 1985, I still long to hear and practice morse code. Every time I hear anything similar to morse code I try to read it like the old days. I would love to prove my 28 wpm again just to see if I could impress someone in the hobby. I enjoyed being in Antarctica on the USCGC Glacier and being instrumental in making phone patches through various operators in the mainland U.S. for my fellow shipmates who wanted to talk to someone at home. That was when I gain a newfound respect for the capabilities of Ham Radio operators. Now I am just here reminiscing so I pulled up this site. What can I say? I miss the code, too. I hope that some day I can get a job being a CW operator once again….
Gary, I invite non-ham radio ops to our shack at K3SAV to operate on the ham bands. CW is infectious and I feel bad for those who can’t use it anymore after being proficient like you.
Also, you can listen on the internet based radios like http://www.sdr.org. web
I am N5vog amateur extra class and i had to take the 20 wpm 2 times but i passed it and am i glad,i think they should have never done away with the code–we have too many cbers now and worse-people that use a lot of vulgar talk and profanity- i applaud the fcc for putting the code back in use ha haaaaaa
Funny I was just studying for General and found they are asking questions that pertain to CW… Prosigns…
I’m glad you enjoyed it. :) Actually, since hams can still use Morse Code, questions on its use are certainly proper.
Learning Morse code is not difficult. When I was in high school to learn Morse code I would go up to my Shack and listen to the broadcast of W1AW and listen. Now , all you have to do is to download a CW program onto your computer. You add one letter at a time starting with e.
You make an effort and you learn it . Once you learn it you feel great and it is so much fun communicating with CW. KE3NE
I know Extra class hams that can’t solder, nor do the understand why when a repeater is full scale they can’t hear the other station. Yea bring back the code, lol. April fools is right.
How I wish this were true. 5-wpm is easy. 13-wpm isn’t bad. 20-wpm was a tough nut to crack, but I did it.
Have fun! KF0OU
This is quite amusing. I went the Novice and General requirements route in the mid 70’s. I also tested and passed the Advanced class shortly after receiving the General ticket.
But, try as I might, I could never become more proficient than about 15 to 16 WPM, so I’ve been Advanced since 1976.
Actually, I believe the Advanced is a good spot for me. Being as this is a hobby, I can choose or ignore those parts of the hobby where my interests lie without repercussion.
Someday I may just study for Extra, when I don’t have other interest to pursue.
No. The worst thing the FCC did was the elimination of knowledge base testing instead of selling answers. The VE program was a bad idea as well. I didn’t mind going to the FCC building for my tests and paying a small fee.
Is this fake news? This article is from 2014 and I haven’t got my privileges revoked yet?
Take a look at the date. It was an April Fool’s joke!
Morse test is an artificial barrier? Then the written test is an artificial barrier as well. With the computing power built into radios recently, the radio can enforce compliance with the regulations.
Reality is that if you can tap your foot in beat with music, you can learn morse. It has always been less of a barrier than the written test.
There are many who apparently feel CW is music to their ears. There are also operators who find the sound of CW to be annoying, grate on your nerves–noise. Personally, I can barely stand the sound of CW–fun operating CW–hardly. I will use CW only in an emergency, or when it’s not possible to make a SOTA QSO when activating a summit.
There is no argument that CW is highly efficient. It’s utility for a niche in ham radio is all that’s keeping it from extinction. The old geezers, reliving their military days, and taking tests in FCC offices who hang their hats on CW saving us when the “big one” hits will likely will be pushing up daisies before they get their chance.
In today’s world virtually the only people with the inclination, and time to learn CW are retirees with time on their hands. Trying to get younger people interested in ham radio, even without the CW requirement is a herculean task. Those lamenting the elimination of the CW requirement might very well be attending wakes for the hobby as the last CW operators standing–if they had gotten their wish. Exclusion, or unnecessary barriers to anyone interested in ham radio, in any form, would be a serious mistake.
Good riddance to the CW requirement for a ticket.
I’m a no code Ham, General, got my license right after they eliminated the code requirement but I always wanted to learn it but never really took the time to learn it. I tried 4 or 5 years ago and seem to hit a plateau that I couldn’t get by so gradually gave up. Finally 2 or 3 months ago I get serious and said to myself I am going learn it no matter what it takes and I’m just about there. I’m on character #36 out of 40 on the G4FON trainer and am reading NOHFF’s book which has a lot of good advice, One thing that really helped me was his saying to learn at a fast character speed with enough space around the character to really learn it, to let it sink in, so I found that setting it at 25 WPM and effective speed at 9 WPM really helps, at a slower speed I was ring to figure out the characters instead of letting them just become automatic. I started at 20 WPM and found it’s actually much easier at 25. I never thought I could do it. I can’t wait to get my Camelback key.
Verry cool, Bob. I’d encourage you to get on the air as soon as you can. There’s nothing like making on-the-air contacts for improving your CW proficiency. Also, think about starting with paddles instead of a straight key. You’ll send better code right off the bat, and using a paddle is a lot easier on your arm and wrist.
Looking in the Technician study book I see that they don’t even print
the Morse code in it! So the Tech licence doesn’t require you to even
know what Morse code is! That means that if they heard dot dot dot
dash dash dash dot dot dot they wouldn’t even know that it is the
international signal for the SOS distress signal !! How stupid is that? Ham radio has gone from helping out in an emergency to talking about what you had for lunch! What a waste of the radio waves.
I’m an extra class Ham Operator (KL7Q) who learned CW in the Coast Guard back in i1963. As a radioman I was assigned to several ships NODX, NODH, and later the Coast Guard Communications Station (NMJ) at Pt. Higgins, near Ketchikan, Alaska. During those years, when underway, those ships communicated wholly by CW for message traffic.
Upon completion of my obligations in the Coast Guard, I became an Army pilot and flew both Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. When in Viet Nam I flew a twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft (RU-8D) with an operator on board who would listen on certain HF frequencies to copy their traffic and allow me to obtain a number of bearings on the CW signal, thus establishing the stations geographic position. This information could than be utilized for targeting or tracking purposes.
This was a mission which benefitted greatly due to the fact that I could copy the CW traffic as I maneuvered to take bearings (either towards or away from the transmitting station). This is just one example of one persons experience with CW and it’s value back in the not to distant past.