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:
- Promote the use of CW and
- have fun operating CW.
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.
larry Fields says
I personally think the FCC did a mistake on this and we will probably still lose alot of Hams, as its likely to hurts more than ever. We saw it during the codeless tech days and we will se it again.
I think personally the ARRL should have fought the decision, and the idea of using the cell phones,internet and other items is abunch of baloney. You just can’t force a person inth the system if there not a radio minded buff.
Personally I think the 5 wpm should have stayed, but reading the comments about why we should test for something they never use is the same as saying why should I test for electronics when I never use it professionally. I think both the FCC and ARRL should rethink this as its not a good move and could very well hurts alot and hurt alot of people’s feelings as well.
Jan Whitteberry says
KB6NU & K8SIW get it!!! They are to be commended for their enlightened points of view.
Bruce Grainger says
Code or no code you need something to bring excitement into the hobby to make people want to get a Ham licence. Has anyone thought that the days of someone buiding a small transmitter receiver form scratch and the excitement of the contacts made are all but gone. In the days when people had to use code because it was the only thing you could transmit with had a certain romance and excitement on its own. If you want to excite people bring QRP and code to people in a discovery package . they will not need great sums of money to enjoy the hobby and you will have a hard time holding them back.
People enjoy discovery and the feeling that they did things all on their own.
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Just a small idea.
Dan KB6NU says
There are many, many kits out there that enable one to build their own transmitters and receivers. I just ran into one a month or so ago – the DC40 from QRPKits.Com. Your point is well taken, though. It might be a good idea for a kit vendor to put together a complete package for the aspiring ham.