A Win - Win Situation for Amateur Radio and CW

Ok, this is an age old debate, but with the changes at the 2003 WRC lets look at some of the options. The rules can be left as they are, which would probably please as many people as it would upset. I would like to share my opinion. I am new ham, having been in the hobby about 2 years. I would not have developed my current enjoyment of CW if I had not been forced to learn it so that I could pass my General. Once I was a General, I realized I was missing out on a significant portion of my allocated frequencies, because I could not "speak the language." Now I enjoy the whole frequency spectrum that came with my license.

I am aware that, to paraphrase an old military expression, a "complaining ham, is a happy ham;" and we have many happy hams. Regardless of the solution that is put in place, there will be those who do not like it. Just as those who think that testing now, is too easy. But that could generate an article all by itself.

Some say CW is just another mode, but this is only true in a sense. CW is a major part of the tradition of amateur radio. It sets us apart. It allows us to communicate across huge barriers, whether they are physical, geographical, political, or cultural. I truly feel, that to be considered a ham, you should have at least a working knowledge of CW. I agree with many, that if the requirements for CW are removed, the mode will still survive. Whether the allocated spectrum will, is another discussion.

One thing that frustrates many folks learning CW, is that they are forced to learn a new language, without being allowed to speak it. With the privileges that come with the Technician license, and the cost of a rig that would allow CW operation within those privileges, it is difficult for a newcomer to get on the air using CW. This moves away from our roots of experimentation and learning by doing. I propose giving Technicians access to the HF bands, in what is currently considered the Novice areas with the same privileges. This gives them a small phone allocation and a large CW allocation. If they choose to invest in an HF rig, it would be worth their while to learn enough CW so they can use all of the spectrum they are allocated. All Technicians would have these privileges.

Currently, the General license is the gateway to the HF world. Many feel the CW requirement has been used as a roadblock, to keep folks out. Others feel that it should be a fence, to keep those who do not want to put the effort forward to learn, out off of the bands. Ones opinion often varies; depending on which side of the "fence" they are on. But few can argue with the fact that removing the requirement would add to the size of the General class and bring more folks into the hobby. So with the idea of what is best for the hobby in mind, we will concede this round, until the next paragraph. So, I propose that we remove the CW requirement from the testing requirement for a General class operator.

By now, a similar number of you are elated, as others are seething in anger at the fact that the phone bands are going to be inundated with the arrival of so many new hams, with poor operating habits. Any influx of new folks will generate problems. But if the folks that have been around a bit exercise patience, and the true spirit of elmering, the new folks too will learn properly. But for those who want a bastion from the general populace (pun intended), there is the Amateur Extra class.

I propose that the 5 wpm test, that was removed from the General class license requirement be put in place for the Amateur Extra class requirement. This provides the refuge for those that feel a extra level of learning should be in place to access all of the bands. All the folks that are currently Amateur Extras have passed a Morse code test, so the requirements would be as fairly distributed as would currently seem possible.

CW is not just a mode. Our bands are setup that a portion of the spectrum is set aside so that narrow bandwidth signals can operate in an congenial environment, without having to fight against signals several orders of magnitude larger in bandwidth. With the exception of 60M, CW is the only mode that can be operated anywhere, on any band. All of this makes CW more than a mode, it makes it a philosophy of doing more, with less. A philosophy that is at the heart of the amateur radio service.

73

David Wilburn

-=K4DGW=-