Subj : Morse, an after thought
To   : Roy Witt
From : Steve Bainbridge
Date : Wed Sep 20 2000 11:59 am

Hi Roy


 SB>> Just struck me about morse for licensing.
 SB>> For a Class A licence to TX below 30Mhz you need to be able to send
 SB>> CW, 12wpm or UK M5 licence 5wpm. Yet if you obtain a Class B licence
 SB>> to TX above 30Mhz you don't need to take a morse test, yet you can
 SB>> send and receive using a computer, silly or what ?.

 > Or what.  Sending via a computer (AX25) has no real morse
 > skill to it,
Agreed, but who is really talking about skill ?.
Amateur Radio is a HOBBY, so why should the powers that be dictate that CW is 
mandatory. Ok many years ago, yes CW as it was used by almost everyone, but 
today it really is commercialy dead, apart from 3rd world countries who can't 
afford to upgrade to satellite or digital.
I suspect you missed the point I was making, in as much that a UK class B 
licence for above 30Mhz is just a test taking 2 and a half hours, there is no 
CW at all, yet passing this test will allow you to send/receive CW by whatever 
means you want.
 > does the code en/deciphering. All the operator does is
 > type the proper
 > character.
Yes, but that is all you are doing using a key, I admit you have to think, mind 
you having listened to some operators, they certainly don't. You can tell 
computer sent CW as it is almost 100% perfect, which in the end is what you 
want.
Don't get me wrong I'm not fully anti morse, just think it should be made 
optional with immediate effect, not in years time when the ITU ect decide" Oh 
we will scrap CW"


 SB>>  I have no idea what the licensing in the US is, I can only go by UK
 SB>> regs.

 > 5wpm to use 30mhz or below, phone and cw.  No code
 > required for 30mhz and
 > above.
Same as in the UK.



Regards

Steve

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