Tim, N9PUZ says:
If you get bored with fretting over the loss of the CW testing requirement there is a lot of interesting reading about our early history here:
This is a very cool website. Thanks, Tim!
Tim, N9PUZ says:
If you get bored with fretting over the loss of the CW testing requirement there is a lot of interesting reading about our early history here:
This is a very cool website. Thanks, Tim!
In what the ARRL calls the “end of an era,” the FCC will shortly eliminate the Morse code test for all license classes. The FCC issued a public notice on Friday, but not the actual Report & Order, so some details — including the effective date — remains uncertain.
Of course, there has been the usual wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth. Of all the opinions voiced so far, I have two favorites. The first is from Goody, K3NG:
The FCC eliminated the code test today. They did not eliminate:
- CW,
- the CW bands,
- CW operators,
- the fun of CW,
- the reliability of CW,
- the magic of CW,
- CW history,
- new hams becoming interested in CW,
- old and new hams who love CW,
- quality ham radio operators,
- CW demonstrations at Field Day,
- the CW mode button on your rig,
- copying an S1 CW signal,
- Elmering,
- CW contests,
- CW DXing,
- the magic of radio,
- the unique sound of CW sent from a bug,
- QRP CW,
- code practice,
- a good fist,
- CW classes,
- building your own CW rig,
- a raspy aurora CW signal on 6 meters,
- CW traffic handling,
- exchanging written Morse code messages with your children for fun,
- the brotherhood of Amateur Radio,
- public service,
- technical innovation,
- education,
- the future of CW, or
- Amateur Radio
Only we can eliminate or maintain the above items through our actions….
The second is a rather long message from Jim K8SIW, who has written the CW column for World Radio. Below are some excerpts:
It is important that everyone’s response to these changes is positive and constructive.
We will gain nothing by creating a “caste system” based on telegraph proficiency or any other standard. Attempts on the part of operators to belittle, isolate, or otherwise single-out individuals as “no-code” licensees or by otherwise implying they are not “real hams” will likely be very counterproductive. Such an approach was taken by some misguided individuals after the implementation of the no-code technician license and it did much harm to the Amateur Service and CW in particular. We do not want to take any actions, which may close off the minds of new Amateurs to CW. However, this is not to say we shouldn’t take pride in our CW skills and interests. Let’s just make a commitment today to avoid and discourage divisive behavior amongst our peers.
If CW is to survive, we must do everything we can to promote it. Ultimately, I have found the best way to promote any art form is through one-on-one mentorship. There will likely be many who will obtain the “easy” ham licenses now available, but will find something lacking. Such individuals, if exposed to CW through the right approach, will be likely candidates to become CW operators. If the quality of conversation and operating practices does degrade, many individuals will be looking for an alternative. Let’s offer them the best.
There may be a place for some more organized approaches to promote CW. For example, we may want to consider:
- Implementing a volunteer testing program, which could be franchised throughout the US. Much like VEC, CW tests could be administered at swap meets and Amateur Radio conventions through which operators could obtain certification as a qualified radiotelegraph operator.
- Create an organized PR program designed to recruit individuals into CW. A national web page promoting CW, its benefits, its applications in contesting, traffic handling and emergency communications would be a good place to start. Creating a cadre of individuals in the form of a “speakers bureau” who are willing to present talks on the benefits of CW to Amateur Radio clubs would also be useful.
- Perhaps CW oriented individuals and organizations need to be involved in the initial recruiting process, bringing people into the hobby whom, from the start, will have a positive attitude about CW and its benefits. We need to be welcoming and inclusive. We need to show all new operators that CW operators are tolerant, inclusive, and a cut-above.
At any rate, you won’t find me wringing my hands over this rules change. I’m hopeful that now that the deed is finally done, we can quit the useless debate and do two things:
Ray G4FON, the author of the widely-used Koch CW Trainer noted that when the test was dropped in the UK, CW use actually increased. I have a feeling that something like that will happen here as well.
Once Techs who are really interested in enjoying all that ham radio has to offer get General Class and Extra Class tickets, they’ll acquire HF radios. I think more than a few of them will tune down to the CW portion of the band and catch the bug. Now that there’s no pressure to pass a test, they’ll actually pick up the skill. I’m not saying they all will do it, or even that half of them will do it, but enough will.
I think a lot of these new Generals and Extras will get interested in QRP and building their own gear, now that they have HF privileges. They’ll quickly find out that CW is indispensable for QRP work and it’s certainly easier to homebrew a CW transmitter than a phone transmitter.
Let’s pound some brass (and get some of our ham friends to pound it along with us)!
UPDATE 12/9/06: Read this Morse Code R&O FAQ on the ARRL website.
Jim Weaver, K8JE, the Great Lakes Division Director, is a member of the ARRL Boards’ Finance Committee. In his latest e-mail to the membership, he wrote:
In short, I’m looking for input on how you want ARRL to spend your and my dues and donation money. For example, should we continue to sponsor the awards program (e.g., DXCC, WAS and their variations)? The ARES program? Equipment reviews? Sanctioning and publicizing conventions, hamfests/swaps and meetings? Promote licensing classes and exam sessions? NTS? The Public Information (Public Relations) program? Maintain the Affiliated Clubs program and distribute information to support clubs? Develop, print and distribute comic books (at no charge) to recruit youngsters into Amateur Radio? Pay for Amateur Radio public announcements on national TV? I believe you understand what I am after.
The answer to Weaver’s question is, of course, yes……to everything. I don’t think that an organization that calls itself “the national association for amateur radio” can do without any of these programs. The ARRL needs to learn some lessons from similar associations–such as the National Rifle Association–in how to run a national organization. Look at what the NRA offers their members–we need to be doing something similar.
Having said that, I think that the most important thing the ARRL should be working on right now is membership. And perhaps even more important than total membership, is the percentage of licensed amateurs that are ARRL members. I find it very disheartening that less than one-quarter of all licensed amateurs are ARRL members. I realize that 100%, maybe even 60% is unattainable, but the ARRL should set a goal of at least 50% and then develop the programs and allocate the funds to make that happen.
Unless the ARRL can convince a higher percentage of licensed amateurs that they really should be members, it will never gain the prestige and have the support it needs to be truly effective.
Last Saturday, we set up a demonstration station at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (more on that later). Part of what I brought was a small selection of my QSL cards, displayed in plastic sleeves I bought back when I was a Novice.
Ralph KB8ZOY asked where I bought them. Having bought them so long ago, I couldn’t really tell him. Well, he did a little research, and found three sources:
I’m not sure if there are any differences in product quality, but there is certainly a difference in price. Rusprint will sell you 3 for $6.75, at ArchiveSafe.Com sells 10 for $35, and Universal sells 2 for $10. Caveat emptor!
I’ve written before about trade magazines being a source of information on RF that amateurs can take advantage of (Keeping Up With Technology, High Frequency Electronics Covers HF). Now, CMP, the publisher of EE Times is offering an e-mail newsletter devoted to RF design. Dubbed RF DesignLine, the first issue includes the articles “Characterizing and troubleshooting wide-band RF systems” and “Choosing an Oscilloscope with the Right Bandwidth.” The second article will especially be of interest to amateur radio operators.
You can subscribe—for free—to this newsletter by going to http://www.eetimes.com/newsletter/.
A recent post to the HamRadioHelpGroup mailing list noted that the author was forming another Yahoo Group to discuss antennas. This prompted me to search for Yahoo Groups that already discuss antennas, and in particular, amateur radio antennas. Here are some of the more active groups that I found doing a quick search:
I’d bet there are more. If you belong to any good ones, please add a comment.
…and signed up for Logbook of the World. According to the ARRL website, Logbook of the World (LOTW) is
is a repository of log records submitted by users from around the world. When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records to LoTW, the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit.
LoTW began operation on September 15, 2003, and as of this very minute, it has 14,248 registered users, 113,893,273 recorded QSOs, and 6,902,497 QSLs.
The signup process wasn’t difficult, but it seemed rather convoluted. First, you have to download some software from the ARRL website, then install it, and request a “certificate” from the ARRL.
Then, they send you a postcard in the mail, and you have log in and type in the code on the postcard. Since they send it by mail, this step takes three or four days.
Finally, once you’ve done that, they send you a certificate via e-mail. You install that on your computer, and then you’re finally all set to upload your log. This whole process took nearly a week.
I use N3FJP’s ACLog logging software, and this software is supposed to interface to LotW. I don’t know why exactly, but I had some trouble uploading my log via ACLog. I suspect it was because I was trying to upload over 5,500 QSOs.
Fortunately, LotW allows process ADIF files. To accomplish the upload, I created an ADIF file with ACLog, then digitally signed the QSOs with the TQSL . This created a .tq8 file, which I then uploaded via the LotW website. That worked like a charm.
The upshot of all this is that I have 5,562 recorded QSOs, 453 QSLs, with 50 of those being good for DXCC. Combining my 50 LotW QSLs with some of the “real” QSLs I have, I may just qualify for DXCC. :)
Both the Flying Pigs QRP Club and Elecraft mailling lists had messages with links to free electronics courses:
Both sites offer tutorials on basic electronics. The OpAmp Electronics site also includes a number of exercises that step you through “experiments” designed to help you understand the concepts. Neither site covers RF topics, but if you’re looking for basic electronics theory, either of these looks like a good place to start.
Thanks to KB9BVN for this link via the Flying Pigs QRP Club mailing list…..Dan
While “numbers stations” are perhaps more known to shortwave listeners than amateur radio operators, every now and then one pops up on 30m. Numbers stations are stations that send only sequences of numbers. Ostensibly, intelligence agencies are using these numbers stations to send secret messages to agents in the field. You can find numbers stations sending their sequences in many different languages.
According to the Conet Project,
Shortwave Numbers Stations are a perfect method of anonymous, one way communication. Spies located anywhere in the world can be communicated to by their masters via small, locally available, and unmodified Shortwave receivers. The encryption system used by Numbers Stations, known as a “one time pad†is unbreakable. Combine this with the fact that it is almost impossible to track down the message recipients once they are inserted into the enemy country, it becomes clear just how powerful the Numbers Station system is.
The Conet Project sells a CD with a number of recordings for $55, but you can find a bunch of mp3 files here for free.
I just worked Greg, KC9ERZ, in Santa Claus, IN. I’d worked him before, but never during the Christmas season. He has a nice website. HO HO HO!