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Ham Radio Licenses
I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is
required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
It is true that the code requirement is part of international treaty.
There is no such thing as a Novice license anymore. That was done when the reorganization took place a few years back. Licenses a Technician (no code), General (5WPM code) and Extra (5 WPM code). Most folks can get past the 5WPM code test with some effort. Last I heard, the issues of eliminating the code is on the agenda for the next ITU meeting, but not sure when that is. They only meet every ten years or something like that. SOmebody else was asking me about this recently. They thought they had heard that the code was now eliminated. I'll check it out. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message ...
It is true that the code requirement is part of international treaty. There is no such thing as a Novice license anymore. That was done when the reorganization took place a few years back. Licenses a Technician (no code), General (5WPM code) and Extra (5 WPM code). General and Extra only have a 5wpm code requirement now? jeez. It used to be 13wpm and 20 wpm I think for those licenses. Incidentally, there are still people who have the novice license, so there still is one, but the FCC doesn't issue them anymore. The Tech(no code) is the entry license now. But if you were a Novice and you upgrade to the Tech, then you become a Tech(code), which is basically Tech voice frequencies + the novice code frequencies. right? So if you already have your code from Novice at 5wpm, do you have to re-take the code test to upgrade to General or do you just take a written test? -mike Most folks can get past the 5WPM code test with some effort. Last I heard, the issues of eliminating the code is on the agenda for the next ITU meeting, but not sure when that is. They only meet every ten years or something like that. SOmebody else was asking me about this recently. They thought they had heard that the code was now eliminated. I'll check it out. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
"Michael Sutton" wrote
"Doug Dotson" wrote It is true that the code requirement is part of international treaty. Not since the last (ITU?) convention just last year. It was dropped and several countries (Japan & Canada?) quit code testing. The US FCC still requires 5 wpm for General and Extra (ie, to use HF) but ARRL has petitioned FCC to drop it. Don't hold your breath - FCC is OK but is still an American bureaucracy so I'm sure anyone here can learn 5 wpm faster than it'll act on the petition. So if you already have your code from Novice at 5wpm, ..... Volunteer Examiners will give you credit if you have proof you passed it - eg if you have a Novice or a Tech license dated before the advent of no-code tech. In fact those who did code + novice written to become Novices, then took the General written exam to become Techs can apply to get grandfathered to General. BTW, my child bride heads a W5YI VE team that admin's tests every other month in Fredricksburg VA. If some of you want to take an exam in VA's No.Neck or Middle Peninsula area she could prolly help. K3DWW |
Ham Radio Licenses
" I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. There's no need for the code to be an insurmountable obstacle. Get a copy of a PC-based Morse code tutor program (such as Morse Tutor Gold, or search the web for Morse code tutoring software), and spend just thirty minutes a day at it. In no time at all, you'll find that you can read the code at five words per minute. Just give it a try and you'll be surprised. Good luck, Tom Dacon AD7AE |
Ham Radio Licenses
"Vito" wrote in
: Not since the last (ITU?) convention just last year. It was dropped and several countries (Japan & Canada?) quit code testing. The US FCC still requires 5 wpm for General and Extra (ie, to use HF) but ARRL has petitioned FCC to drop it. Don't hold your breath - FCC is OK but is still an American bureaucracy so I'm sure anyone here can learn 5 wpm faster than it'll act on the petition. ARRL wants code dropped? My, my that IS a switch. ARRL has always wanted to take ham radio back to 1935 any time I've seen them. They opposed us having RTTY, every digital mode, AM, SSB, continuously. ARRL is the reason the damned phone bands end at a higher frequency than the DX uses, damn them. I believe US and UK are the only CW hangers on because of their ARRL and RGSB old fogies wanting to turn the clock back to "the good ol' days". 73, Larry W4CSC An angry ARRL bureaucrat, dressed up like someone important, once threatened to have my ham radio license revoked because he wanted to shut me up asking embarrassing questions at an open forum. I told him the day the damned ARRL could have my license revoked would be the day I voluntarily would send it in. I'm still on the air.....(c; |
Ham Radio Licenses
I guess I'm a little behind as well. If I recall correctly, when the
last rule change happened that made 5WPM the speed for General and Advanced, it was stated that the ITU requirement was the reason that it could not be dropped entirely. Once the ITU dropped the requirement, the FCC would iniate action to follow suit. Personally, I think the code should stay. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Vito" wrote in message ... "Michael Sutton" wrote "Doug Dotson" wrote It is true that the code requirement is part of international treaty. Not since the last (ITU?) convention just last year. It was dropped and several countries (Japan & Canada?) quit code testing. The US FCC still requires 5 wpm for General and Extra (ie, to use HF) but ARRL has petitioned FCC to drop it. Don't hold your breath - FCC is OK but is still an American bureaucracy so I'm sure anyone here can learn 5 wpm faster than it'll act on the petition. So if you already have your code from Novice at 5wpm, ..... Volunteer Examiners will give you credit if you have proof you passed it - eg if you have a Novice or a Tech license dated before the advent of no-code tech. In fact those who did code + novice written to become Novices, then took the General written exam to become Techs can apply to get grandfathered to General. BTW, my child bride heads a W5YI VE team that admin's tests every other month in Fredricksburg VA. If some of you want to take an exam in VA's No.Neck or Middle Peninsula area she could prolly help. K3DWW |
Ham Radio Licenses
Actually, there have been some studies done that do indicate
that morse code is an insurmountable obstacle for some. Maybe a left brain vs right brain thing or something. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Tom Dacon" wrote in message ... " I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. There's no need for the code to be an insurmountable obstacle. Get a copy of a PC-based Morse code tutor program (such as Morse Tutor Gold, or search the web for Morse code tutoring software), and spend just thirty minutes a day at it. In no time at all, you'll find that you can read the code at five words per minute. Just give it a try and you'll be surprised. Good luck, Tom Dacon AD7AE |
Ham Radio Licenses
Doug Dotson wrote: I guess I'm a little behind as well. If I recall correctly, when the last rule change happened that made 5WPM the speed for General and Advanced, it was stated that the ITU requirement was the reason that it could not be dropped entirely. Once the ITU dropped the requirement, the FCC would iniate action to follow suit. Personally, I think the code should stay. I am a bit worried about the bands going the way of CB if it gets to easy but the code requirement really needs to go. I would like to see the writtens get a lot tougher or at least not publish the actual questions and answers in study books. Anybody with half a brain can memorize a book from Radio Shack and pass it now. -- Glenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com |
Ham Radio Licenses
I have agree with that. But I found that learning the stuff was
alot easier than memorizing all the questions in the test bank. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message news:Fqdoc.12635$Lm3.9028@lakeread04... Doug Dotson wrote: I guess I'm a little behind as well. If I recall correctly, when the last rule change happened that made 5WPM the speed for General and Advanced, it was stated that the ITU requirement was the reason that it could not be dropped entirely. Once the ITU dropped the requirement, the FCC would iniate action to follow suit. Personally, I think the code should stay. I am a bit worried about the bands going the way of CB if it gets to easy but the code requirement really needs to go. I would like to see the writtens get a lot tougher or at least not publish the actual questions and answers in study books. Anybody with half a brain can memorize a book from Radio Shack and pass it now. -- Glenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com |
Ham Radio Licenses
Doug Dotson wrote: I have agree with that. But I found that learning the stuff was alot easier than memorizing all the questions in the test bank. Maybe you are left brained and I am right. Take that Back! Probably the other way around. :-) I found the written easy but only passed the code test by the grace of a generous examiner. -- Glenn Ashmore I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com |
Ham Radio Licenses
I passed the first and second level written tests easily on one night
and failed the code exam miserably on that night and one more. It's a brain weakness of mine. Practiced for hours actually. Thanks all for the replies. Stan |
Ham Radio Licenses
Glenn Ashmore wrote in
news:WIeoc.12640$Lm3.1248@lakeread04: Doug Dotson wrote: I have agree with that. But I found that learning the stuff was alot easier than memorizing all the questions in the test bank. Maybe you are left brained and I am right. Take that Back! Probably the other way around. :-) I found the written easy but only passed the code test by the grace of a generous examiner. I've been a ham since 1957, so I guess that makes me an old-timer, now. I've always felt sorry for the many very nice people who would make great hams, but were too dyslexic or had other physical problems that prevented them from learning the STUPID, unnecessary code most old hams used as punishment and in their attempt to keep the ham bands for themselves. As to the anti-CB myth nonsense you ALWAYS see in any kind of discussion like this, some of the best hams in Charleston were once illegal CBers running 5KW on CB for years. The argument didn't wash then, and is a moot question now as CBers, just like many of us inactive hams, are carrying around full-duplex cellphones with unlimited service and are using internet, instead of radios, to chat around the world. The ARRL's chief VEC examiner, here, who is also the FCC's own volunteer GROL examiner now, was once the "Mud Duck" on CB running several KW into stacked Telrex beams at 90'. He's one of the most active hams in SC and is a great asset to ham radio, no matter what his past history in CB was. Over half my radio club membership has CB to thank for getting them into ham radio in the first place. Ham radio is dying of old age and curmudgeonry (sp?). Go to any hamfest and estimate the average age of the crowd. My guess is around 60, now. These are the guys who grew up with tube radios and are scared to death of computers/internet/new technology. Most young people shrug their shoulders and say, "I swapped full-motion color video with Werner in Berlin this morning. Why would I want ham radio?" And, he'd be right. He no longer needs ham radio to talk to the world. Morse code requirements have been killing ham radio, slowly but surely, since Morse code became moot with the invention of AM, FM and SSB. If you hear any old farts prompting the same old line that CW can get through when all else fails, then go download Winwarbler from: http://www.qsl.net/winwarbler/ install it and tune your SSB receiver to 14.070 Mhz USB. In the 4 Khz bandwidth of any SSB receiver, you'll find lots of PSK31 digital mode QSOs going on in 31 Hz of total bandwidth from 10-20 watt transmitters around the world. PSK31's tones and any cheap PC's sound card can decode and display perfect text on a signal so weak YOU can't make it out, even with a narrowband receiver listing to just the one station! Use any SSB receiver, this free software (which can simultaneously monitor THREE conversations at once!) with the headphone jack of the receiver plugged into your computer sound card line input and give it a try, whether you are a ham or not. PSK31, PSK63 were invented by hams for hams. It's simply the finest digital mode we ever had and is SO efficient in spectrum usage. It's faster than you can type. I, for one old ham, am glad the world is finally coming to its senses and getting rid of manual code requirements they should have dumped after WW2. 73 Larry W4CSC aka KN4IM, WB4THE, WN2IWH when I was 11. Leaving for sea tonight so won't be replying to this message.... Best of luck to all those coming into ham radio! For me, it's been a helluva great ride these past 47 years! NNNN (We always put that at the end of important-looking teletype messages to impress everyone.) SK |
Ham Radio Licenses
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Ham Radio Licenses
There are exemptions from the code requirement. Not sure exactly
what constitutes an exemption, but a friend of mine was exempted from the code requirement because he is hearing impaired. I know the certain folks have a legitimate reason (dyslexia or some other LD type of problem) that they cannot learn code. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Larry W4CSC" wrote in message ... Glenn Ashmore wrote in news:WIeoc.12640$Lm3.1248@lakeread04: Doug Dotson wrote: I have agree with that. But I found that learning the stuff was alot easier than memorizing all the questions in the test bank. Maybe you are left brained and I am right. Take that Back! Probably the other way around. :-) I found the written easy but only passed the code test by the grace of a generous examiner. I've been a ham since 1957, so I guess that makes me an old-timer, now. I've always felt sorry for the many very nice people who would make great hams, but were too dyslexic or had other physical problems that prevented them from learning the STUPID, unnecessary code most old hams used as punishment and in their attempt to keep the ham bands for themselves. As to the anti-CB myth nonsense you ALWAYS see in any kind of discussion like this, some of the best hams in Charleston were once illegal CBers running 5KW on CB for years. The argument didn't wash then, and is a moot question now as CBers, just like many of us inactive hams, are carrying around full-duplex cellphones with unlimited service and are using internet, instead of radios, to chat around the world. The ARRL's chief VEC examiner, here, who is also the FCC's own volunteer GROL examiner now, was once the "Mud Duck" on CB running several KW into stacked Telrex beams at 90'. He's one of the most active hams in SC and is a great asset to ham radio, no matter what his past history in CB was. Over half my radio club membership has CB to thank for getting them into ham radio in the first place. Ham radio is dying of old age and curmudgeonry (sp?). Go to any hamfest and estimate the average age of the crowd. My guess is around 60, now. These are the guys who grew up with tube radios and are scared to death of computers/internet/new technology. Most young people shrug their shoulders and say, "I swapped full-motion color video with Werner in Berlin this morning. Why would I want ham radio?" And, he'd be right. He no longer needs ham radio to talk to the world. Morse code requirements have been killing ham radio, slowly but surely, since Morse code became moot with the invention of AM, FM and SSB. If you hear any old farts prompting the same old line that CW can get through when all else fails, then go download Winwarbler from: http://www.qsl.net/winwarbler/ install it and tune your SSB receiver to 14.070 Mhz USB. In the 4 Khz bandwidth of any SSB receiver, you'll find lots of PSK31 digital mode QSOs going on in 31 Hz of total bandwidth from 10-20 watt transmitters around the world. PSK31's tones and any cheap PC's sound card can decode and display perfect text on a signal so weak YOU can't make it out, even with a narrowband receiver listing to just the one station! Use any SSB receiver, this free software (which can simultaneously monitor THREE conversations at once!) with the headphone jack of the receiver plugged into your computer sound card line input and give it a try, whether you are a ham or not. PSK31, PSK63 were invented by hams for hams. It's simply the finest digital mode we ever had and is SO efficient in spectrum usage. It's faster than you can type. I, for one old ham, am glad the world is finally coming to its senses and getting rid of manual code requirements they should have dumped after WW2. 73 Larry W4CSC aka KN4IM, WB4THE, WN2IWH when I was 11. Leaving for sea tonight so won't be replying to this message.... Best of luck to all those coming into ham radio! For me, it's been a helluva great ride these past 47 years! NNNN (We always put that at the end of important-looking teletype messages to impress everyone.) SK |
Ham Radio Licenses
I agree about code: over 50+ years as a ham, I've seen many people with
multiple intelligences try very hard and fail to copy morse code well. They just don't have THAT intelligence. Some people can't tell that they can't carry a tune, and can't put a basketball thru the net in 20 tries. But they can remember details of schematics 20 years later, and know the pinout today of both a 12AX7 and a 7430, and how to find stuff real fast in REGEDIT. My wife has a lot of background in Education, is a Librarian and a Gifted/Talented coordinator, and she's still constantly amazed at the variety of talents and untalents that kids have. I believe that 20 years from now, the 'credentialing' that hidebound 'trades' use for self-job-protection will fade even more, and "just-in- time" Education will supercede the 4-year college model. The First Class Commercial Radiotelephone license I worked so hard on in High School is no longer required to fix broadcast transmitters. And the world has not come to an end. People who can do the job get hired to do it, and those who can't get fired. Used to be they BOTH had licenses... -- Regards, Terry King ...In The Woods In Vermont Capturing Live Music in Sound and Images http://www.terryking.us |
Ham Radio Licenses
Comments below.
Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Terry King" wrote in message I believe that 20 years from now, the 'credentialing' that hidebound 'trades' use for self-job-protection will fade even more, and "just-in- time" Education will supercede the 4-year college model. I suspect that is true. The First Class Commercial Radiotelephone license I worked so hard on in High School is no longer required to fix broadcast transmitters. And the world has not come to an end. People who can do the job get hired to do it, and those who can't get fired. Used to be they BOTH had licenses... I believe that the GROL is required now isn't it? -- Regards, Terry King ...In The Woods In Vermont Capturing Live Music in Sound and Images http://www.terryking.us |
Ham Radio Licenses
I too got my license in 1957 and hated the code. I am in favor of abolishing it for HF except in the code only portion of the bands. A code endorsement could be added for those frequencies. The question/answer pools are a joke, but I think federal policy regarding them goes beyond the FCC as the FAA has similar stuff for aviation exams now. Lets bring back the 2 year as a General Class or better before being eligible to take the Extra Exam. Experience is needed before getting a 1 X 2 vanity call! I keep running into those guys (especially boaters) who have less than 6 months as a ham and think they know it all. Larry, since you brought up the NNNN at the end of a TTY message, I must point out it served an autostop function on TTY machines such as the Model 28 (I admit to being a model 12, 14, 15, 19, 28 TTYer years ago) that were equipped with a "stunt box". Do you recall what ZCZCZRJ did? Doug, K7ABX "Larry W4CSC" wrote in message ... 73 Larry W4CSC aka KN4IM, WB4THE, WN2IWH when I was 11. Leaving for sea tonight so won't be replying to this message.... Best of luck to all those coming into ham radio! For me, it's been a helluva great ride these past 47 years! NNNN (We always put that at the end of important-looking teletype messages to impress everyone.) SK |
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"Larry W4CSC" wrote
ARRL wants code dropped? My, my that IS a switch. ARRL has always wanted to take ham radio back to 1935 any time I've seen them. .... Like any org, ARRL is people. Uncle Sam made a lot of people learn 20+ wpm Morse before and during WW2 and so many of them became hams that they controlled ARRL and set policies for their own benefit - policies that used Morse proficiency to keep others out. But, as more and more of them retire or go SK things change. New blood understands that the more active hams join ARRL the more CQ magazines get sold. 73, Larry W4CSC An angry ARRL bureaucrat, dressed up like someone important, .... I've seen the same attitudes in ARES - club bureaucrats who think they trump Government bureaucrats. Enjoy your holiday, K3DWW |
Ham Radio Licenses
Uk does not require code now
Alec "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.676 / Virus Database: 438 - Release Date: 03/05/2004 |
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"Glenn Ashmore" wrote
Doug Dotson wrote: ..... Personally, I think the code should stay. I am a bit worried about the bands going the way of CB ... I would like to see the writtens get a lot tougher .... It's inevatable because of technology. One had to know Morse to be a ham "back when", not because of FCC rules but because it was the only reliable way to communicate. The rules merely reflected that technical reality. That is no longer true today so requiring Morse makes about as much sense as requiring visitors to Yellowstone Park to demo proficiency with flint and steel before being allowed to see Old Faithful. The same goes for the electronic part of the written tests. It was essential for hams to know enough to stay out of trouble when everybody built their own rigs, but that day is long gone. Everybody is an "appliance ham" because it is too expensive to home brew. This means that written tests should emphasize good operating techniques which means a lot of rote memorization. You don't "understand" band limits in the same way we had to "understand" how vacuum tubes and transistors worked - you just memorize them. In a way, that makes the tests harder. I didn't need to study before aceing my general exam 'cuz I could already draw Hartley and Colpitts oscillators but I'll have to hit the books to pass my Extra cuz it's all memorization. 73, K3DWW |
Ham Radio Licenses
Comments below.
Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Vito" wrote in message ... "Glenn Ashmore" wrote Doug Dotson wrote: ..... Personally, I think the code should stay. I am a bit worried about the bands going the way of CB ... I would like to see the writtens get a lot tougher .... It's inevatable because of technology. One had to know Morse to be a ham "back when", not because of FCC rules but because it was the only reliable way to communicate. The rules merely reflected that technical reality. I think CW is still more reliable than phone, but certainly not more effiecient nor is it more practical. That is no longer true today so requiring Morse makes about as much sense as requiring visitors to Yellowstone Park to demo proficiency with flint and steel before being allowed to see Old Faithful. Not sure that being able to build a fire is a prerequisite to looking at something. I agree that CW is obsolete, but your anology is a bit thin. I wonder if when the code requirement goes away, the CW only portions of the band will go away as well? Another poster suggested an additional certification to operate in the CW subbands. That may be a workable solution. The same goes for the electronic part of the written tests. It was essential for hams to know enough to stay out of trouble when everybody built their own rigs, but that day is long gone. Some of the electronic portion is designed to make sure you don't kill yourself. Others deal with not interfering with other services. Everybody is an "appliance ham" because it is too expensive to home brew. Expense isn't the issue. Many hams these days just don't posess the skills to homebrew. Homebrewing was just one aspect of the hobby. Now days, instant gratification is the controlling factor. This means that written tests should emphasize good operating techniques which means a lot of rote memorization. You don't "understand" band limits in the same way we had to "understand" how vacuum tubes and transistors worked - you just memorize them. In a way, that makes the tests harder. I didn't need to study before aceing my general exam 'cuz I could already draw Hartley and Colpitts oscillators but I'll have to hit the books to pass my Extra cuz it's all memorization. I would argue that drawing a schematic for an oscillator is pretty much rote memorization. 4 years ago when I took my Extra written, it was certainly not mostly memorization unless you mean memorizing the test bank. I found it easier to learn the theory. The impedance calculations and various other items did take some effort to learn. 73, K3DWW |
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"Doug Dotson" wrote
"Vito" wrote It's inevatable because of technology. One had to know Morse to be a ham "back when", not because of FCC rules but because it was the only reliable way to communicate. The rules merely reflected that technical reality. I think CW is still more reliable than phone, .... CW, yes, Morse (a form of CW) no. "Tap code" is better because it is easier to cypher & decypher and most important requires only "dots" vs "dits" and "daws". Simply write the alphabet in a 5 by 5 matrix, leaving out "K" (substitute a "C"). "A" is dot-dot. "C" is dot---dot-dot-dot. "N" is dot-dot-dot --- dot-dot-dot, et cetera. Easy to send with a hammer or whatever you have. To decode just right what you hear then turn to your matrix: 2/1, 4/5, 1/3, 5/3, 4/5 .... (c: I wonder if when the code requirement goes away, the CW only portions of the band will go away as well? They certainly should! If Morse is so much more reliable at getting messages through, as every ham believes as fervently as Billy Graham believes in God, then why do we need special bands to protect CW from "less reliable" modes? To protect selfish bad-fist rag chews from interference, that's why. Some of the electronic portion is designed to make sure you don't kill yourself. Others deal with not interfering with other services. That *was* absolutely true back when we built our own gear, but one needs no knowledge of electronics to use, say, an Icom 706 with an automatic antenna tuner. Everybody is an "appliance ham" because it is too expensive to home brew. Expense isn't the issue. Many hams these days just don't posess the skills to homebrew. Homebrewing was just one aspect of the hobby. Now days, instant gratification is the controlling factor. Expense is not the issue?? My Yaesu 840 cost $500 new. I could have bought a kit that's not as good for $1250. Sorry, but I'm not so well-off that $750 isn't important. But you are certainly right about the lack of skills. I don't know a single ham who has the equipment needed to micro-position chip componants then wave solder them, let alone the skills to use such equipments - including yours truly. I guess they're all into instant gratification. IMHO homebrewing, not Morse, seperated us from the instant gratification crowd on 11 meters. Nobody morns it's passing more than I. But it's gone the way of the horse and buggy and vacuum tube and the Amateur Service must adapt to that fact. I enjoyed hopped-up Fords and Chevys with hemi's and 22-cent gasoline but not any more. I would argue that drawing a schematic for an oscillator is pretty much rote memorization. ..... The impedance calculations and various other items did take some effort to learn. By that definition, all learning is rote memorization, especially mathematical calculations (equations). More to the point, all are available in reference books so why bother to memorize them, let alone test to be sure one has memorized them before allowing that person to talk on a radio that is, after all, little more complicated than a CB? |
Ham Radio Licenses
Even with off-the-shelf radios, some electronic theory
is necessary to use them properly and effectively. For example, how does one use the IF Shift control? Know how a receiver works allows one to use this feature better. There are many such example. Antenna tuning, notch filters, SSB filters, etc. More below. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Vito" wrote in message ... "Doug Dotson" wrote "Vito" wrote It's inevatable because of technology. One had to know Morse to be a ham "back when", not because of FCC rules but because it was the only reliable way to communicate. The rules merely reflected that technical reality. I think CW is still more reliable than phone, .... CW, yes, Morse (a form of CW) no. "Tap code" is better because it is easier to cypher & decypher and most important requires only "dots" vs "dits" and "daws". Simply write the alphabet in a 5 by 5 matrix, leaving out "K" (substitute a "C"). "A" is dot-dot. "C" is dot---dot-dot-dot. "N" is dot-dot-dot --- dot-dot-dot, et cetera. Easy to send with a hammer or whatever you have. To decode just right what you hear then turn to your matrix: 2/1, 4/5, 1/3, 5/3, 4/5 .... (c: Not a clue what you are talking about here. Generally CW is short speak for Morse code although one is an encoding scheme and other is a emission type. I wonder if when the code requirement goes away, the CW only portions of the band will go away as well? They certainly should! If Morse is so much more reliable at getting messages through, as every ham believes as fervently as Billy Graham believes in God, then why do we need special bands to protect CW from "less reliable" modes? To protect selfish bad-fist rag chews from interference, that's why. The CW portions of the bands are pretty narrow. Wideband traffic just chews up too much of the designated band segments. Some of the electronic portion is designed to make sure you don't kill yourself. Others deal with not interfering with other services. That *was* absolutely true back when we built our own gear, but one needs no knowledge of electronics to use, say, an Icom 706 with an automatic antenna tuner. I don't think so. I have gotten zapped several times by off the shelf rigs. Might be useful to know why you got that nasty RF burn. Everybody is an "appliance ham" because it is too expensive to home brew. Expense isn't the issue. Many hams these days just don't posess the skills to homebrew. Homebrewing was just one aspect of the hobby. Now days, instant gratification is the controlling factor. Expense is not the issue?? My Yaesu 840 cost $500 new. I could have bought a kit that's not as good for $1250. Sorry, but I'm not so well-off that $750 isn't important. But you are certainly right about the lack of skills. I don't know a single ham who has the equipment needed to micro-position chip componants then wave solder them, let alone the skills to use such equipments - including yours truly. I guess they're all into instant gratification. Putting together a kit is not homebrewing in the normal sense. I routinely solder very small surface mount chips onto boards. It can be done very easily with solder paste and a toaster oven. The touching up with desolder braid and a small tipped iron. IMHO homebrewing, not Morse, seperated us from the instant gratification crowd on 11 meters. Nobody morns it's passing more than I. But it's gone the way of the horse and buggy and vacuum tube and the Amateur Service must adapt to that fact. I enjoyed hopped-up Fords and Chevys with hemi's and 22-cent gasoline but not any more. I would argue that drawing a schematic for an oscillator is pretty much rote memorization. ..... The impedance calculations and various other items did take some effort to learn. By that definition, all learning is rote memorization, especially mathematical calculations (equations). More to the point, all are available in reference books so why bother to memorize them, let alone test to be sure one has memorized them before allowing that person to talk on a radio that is, after all, little more complicated than a CB? Knowing a formula and how to apply it are different things. When I was in college my physics instructor allowed us to bring a sheet with any formulas we wanted into an exam. Some folks still failed the exam though. |
Ham Radio Licenses
I thought the US got rid of code but Canada still had it?
I've got my Basic and Advanced qualification but like the OP I found morse hard to sit and learn. I admit I've let this hobby slip to the side, and so haven't been paying attention to new regs....but if Canada doesn't have morse anymore...then does my Advanced license push me in to all bands? As it is, my advanced license is little different than the basic license, except I can tx over 1Kw and work on transmitters ?... "Vito" wrote in message ... "Michael Sutton" wrote "Doug Dotson" wrote It is true that the code requirement is part of international treaty. Not since the last (ITU?) convention just last year. It was dropped and several countries (Japan & Canada?) quit code testing. The US FCC still requires 5 wpm for General and Extra (ie, to use HF) but ARRL has petitioned FCC to drop it. Don't hold your breath - FCC is OK but is still an American bureaucracy so I'm sure anyone here can learn 5 wpm faster than it'll act on the petition. So if you already have your code from Novice at 5wpm, ..... Volunteer Examiners will give you credit if you have proof you passed it - eg if you have a Novice or a Tech license dated before the advent of no-code tech. In fact those who did code + novice written to become Novices, then took the General written exam to become Techs can apply to get grandfathered to General. BTW, my child bride heads a W5YI VE team that admin's tests every other month in Fredricksburg VA. If some of you want to take an exam in VA's No.Neck or Middle Peninsula area she could prolly help. K3DWW |
Ham Radio Licenses
The US currently has 3 license classes. "Technician" provides all
privileges above 50 MHz and requires no code test. "General" and "Extra" allow HF operations but require 5 WPM Morse Code. I don't know about Canada. "SB" wrote I thought the US got rid of code but Canada still had it? |
Ham Radio Licenses
Unfortunately Canada is still in the dark ages. According to the Industry
Canada web site we currently have 3 classes: Basic, which has no code requirement but only allows use of frequencies above 30 MHz, Morse Code, which allows use of all ham frequencies, and Advanced, which allows use of more power and home built transmitters There is a PDF document for download at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/inter.../sf01008e.html I'm sure we will not drop the code requirement until the US does. "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
well, I wouldn't say we're in the dark ages....we did drop the 12wpm
requirement (except for testers). I think there should be a qualification for using code....sure, call it a boy scout badge type thing....but I also think there should be something for digital tx and whatever else... I just wish they didn't withhold so much of the band JUST because of morse.... I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! I think it should stay to SOME degree!! "Gordon Wedman" wrote in message news:s9rqc.8762$9P6.6527@clgrps12... Unfortunately Canada is still in the dark ages. According to the Industry Canada web site we currently have 3 classes: Basic, which has no code requirement but only allows use of frequencies above 30 MHz, Morse Code, which allows use of all ham frequencies, and Advanced, which allows use of more power and home built transmitters There is a PDF document for download at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/inter.../sf01008e.html I'm sure we will not drop the code requirement until the US does. "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
The CW portions of the bands is a fairly small sliver. I'm sure they
will be released to general use when the code requirement goes away though. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "SB" wrote in message . cable.rogers.com... well, I wouldn't say we're in the dark ages....we did drop the 12wpm requirement (except for testers). I think there should be a qualification for using code....sure, call it a boy scout badge type thing....but I also think there should be something for digital tx and whatever else... I just wish they didn't withhold so much of the band JUST because of morse.... I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! I think it should stay to SOME degree!! "Gordon Wedman" wrote in message news:s9rqc.8762$9P6.6527@clgrps12... Unfortunately Canada is still in the dark ages. According to the Industry Canada web site we currently have 3 classes: Basic, which has no code requirement but only allows use of frequencies above 30 MHz, Morse Code, which allows use of all ham frequencies, and Advanced, which allows use of more power and home built transmitters There is a PDF document for download at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/inter.../sf01008e.html I'm sure we will not drop the code requirement until the US does. "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
it IS a small portion....but it's the fun portion isn't it?! LF for those
long tx's? "Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... The CW portions of the bands is a fairly small sliver. I'm sure they will be released to general use when the code requirement goes away though. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "SB" wrote in message . cable.rogers.com... well, I wouldn't say we're in the dark ages....we did drop the 12wpm requirement (except for testers). I think there should be a qualification for using code....sure, call it a boy scout badge type thing....but I also think there should be something for digital tx and whatever else... I just wish they didn't withhold so much of the band JUST because of morse.... I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! I think it should stay to SOME degree!! "Gordon Wedman" wrote in message news:s9rqc.8762$9P6.6527@clgrps12... Unfortunately Canada is still in the dark ages. According to the Industry Canada web site we currently have 3 classes: Basic, which has no code requirement but only allows use of frequencies above 30 MHz, Morse Code, which allows use of all ham frequencies, and Advanced, which allows use of more power and home built transmitters There is a PDF document for download at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/inter.../sf01008e.html I'm sure we will not drop the code requirement until the US does. "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
Huh?
"SB" wrote in message e.rogers.com... it IS a small portion....but it's the fun portion isn't it?! LF for those long tx's? "Doug Dotson" wrote in message ... The CW portions of the bands is a fairly small sliver. I'm sure they will be released to general use when the code requirement goes away though. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "SB" wrote in message . cable.rogers.com... well, I wouldn't say we're in the dark ages....we did drop the 12wpm requirement (except for testers). I think there should be a qualification for using code....sure, call it a boy scout badge type thing....but I also think there should be something for digital tx and whatever else... I just wish they didn't withhold so much of the band JUST because of morse.... I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! I think it should stay to SOME degree!! "Gordon Wedman" wrote in message news:s9rqc.8762$9P6.6527@clgrps12... Unfortunately Canada is still in the dark ages. According to the Industry Canada web site we currently have 3 classes: Basic, which has no code requirement but only allows use of frequencies above 30 MHz, Morse Code, which allows use of all ham frequencies, and Advanced, which allows use of more power and home built transmitters There is a PDF document for download at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/inter.../sf01008e.html I'm sure we will not drop the code requirement until the US does. "Stan Winikoff" wrote in message om... I have been told that the Morse Code requirement for a Ham license is required by international treaty. Others have said the requirement will soon go by the wayside. I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. Any chance that code will be dropped soon as a requirement for anything more than a Novice license. |
Ham Radio Licenses
"SB" wrote
I think there should be a qualification for using code.... Me too, just not *Morse* code. Unlike Morse, tap code can be learned instantly and doesn't need "dashes" or "dahs" (Try sending Morse with a hammer). Simply arrange the alphabet in a 5 by 5 matrix omitting "K". "A" is 1-1, "B" is 1-2 (tap pause tap tap) ... "L" is 3-1, and so on. Send "C" for "K". Simply write the numbers to copy tap code then decode using your matrix. Now you too know tap code. It takes mucho longer to learn Morse. I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! You sure that wasn't Tap Code? That's what all the trapped miners, submariners, etc, used in the other "B" movies. Now here you are adrift with a radio, but the microphone is busted. It'll key the transmitter but not modulate it. Would you send Morse and hope somebody out there knows it, or send tap code tht everybody understands? |
Ham Radio Licenses
"Vito" wrote "SB" wrote I think there should be a qualification for using code.... Me too, just not *Morse* code. Unlike Morse, tap code can be learned instantly and doesn't need "dashes" or "dahs" (Try sending Morse with a hammer). Simply arrange the alphabet in a 5 by 5 matrix omitting "K". "A" is 1-1, "B" is 1-2 (tap pause tap tap) ... "L" is 3-1, and so on. Send "C" for "K". Simply write the numbers to copy tap code then decode using your matrix. Now you too know tap code. It takes mucho longer to learn Morse. I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! You sure that wasn't Tap Code? That's what all the trapped miners, submariners, etc, used in the other "B" movies. Now here you are adrift with a radio, but the microphone is busted. It'll key the transmitter but not modulate it. Would you send Morse and hope somebody out there knows it, or send tap code tht everybody understands? Vito, I'm sure creative imaginations could find more reasons for code, but they fit movie scenarios better than realistic needs for communication today. I don't see today's offshore cruiser or even occassional venturer being without an EPIRB, DSC-capable vhf, DSC-capable SSB, satcom, cellphone, etc. Of course a good floatplan is filed with a responsible person and the missing of more than one check-in would initiate a trackline SAR.. Morse or "tap" are just not in the picture. Leave the code to hollywood, and the printed card that could be kept in a ditch bag and the nav/comm station, so nobody ever has to memorize it. Jack Painter Virginia Beach, Va |
Ham Radio Licenses
"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:g_Kqc.45973$pJ1.44059@lakeread02... "Vito" wrote "SB" wrote I've seen independence day....and how morse saved the day!! Now here you are adrift with a radio, but the microphone is busted. It'll key the transmitter but not modulate it. Would you send Morse and hope somebody out there knows it, or send tap code tht everybody understands? Vito, I'm sure creative imaginations could find more reasons for code, but they fit movie scenarios better than realistic needs for communication ..... What!! grin, you don't believe what you saw in "Judgement Day"? Next you'll say we need float plans and electronics devices instead of prayer. |
Ham Radio Licenses
Some people are tone deaf, and others are visual learners and not auditory, and
some very talented and intelligent people were unable to learn 5 WPM morse even after long and extensive work. Their brains are just not 'wired' that way. You cannot extrapolate your learning experiences that way as what is easy or moderately difficult for you may be near or totally impossible for others. JJ On Tue, 11 May 2004 09:52:01 -0700, "Tom Dacon" wrote: " I find the written and theory parts of the Ham exam easy but code is an insurmountable obsticle for me. There's no need for the code to be an insurmountable obstacle. Get a copy of a PC-based Morse code tutor program (such as Morse Tutor Gold, or search the web for Morse code tutoring software), and spend just thirty minutes a day at it. In no time at all, you'll find that you can read the code at five words per minute. Just give it a try and you'll be surprised. Good luck, Tom Dacon AD7AE James Johnson remove the "dot" from after sail in email address to reply |
Ham Radio Licenses
If you ASK the Volunteer Examiner at the time of testing, they can and will
arrange for lights, bells or ANY other device to take the code test. I had the same problem, but eventually passed the 13 wpm test. The people administering the test will bend over backwards to help. Leonard, KJ5DL Advanced Class Accredited Volunteer Examiner (ARRL & W5YI-VEC) "KJ5DL @ N34 38.253 W092 07.177" "Do illiterate people get the full value of Alphabet Soup?" |
Ham Radio Licenses
And if you have a bonifide learning or physical disability,
you can get an exemption from the FCC. My experience has been that most that cry foul about learnig code do so because they failed to learn it after two or three evenings of trying. It takes work, some more than others. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "LLongiii" wrote in message ... If you ASK the Volunteer Examiner at the time of testing, they can and will arrange for lights, bells or ANY other device to take the code test. I had the same problem, but eventually passed the 13 wpm test. The people administering the test will bend over backwards to help. Leonard, KJ5DL Advanced Class Accredited Volunteer Examiner (ARRL & W5YI-VEC) "KJ5DL @ N34 38.253 W092 07.177" "Do illiterate people get the full value of Alphabet Soup?" |
Ham Radio Licenses
I beg to disagree. Every complaint I have heard focuses on the fact that
Morse Code is so obsolete that it has no practical value, not on its difficulty per se. People who have spent 12 years attending high school then four and more in college learning useful things are reluctant to spend even a dozen hours learning something ase useless (to them) as Morse Code. "Doug Dotson" wrote ..... My experience has been that most that cry foul about learnig code do so because they failed to learn it after two or three evenings of trying. It takes work, some more than others. |
Ham Radio Licenses
Why continue to complain about something you can't change? It started out to be
5 wpm for novice, 13 wpm for General and 21 wpm for Extra. It is now 5 wpm for ALL. Until they drop the REQUIREMENT, it is still there. Go for the no-code tset and keep trying. Your outhe option is a sat-phone. Leonard KJ5DL "KJ5DL @ N34 38.253 W092 07.177" "Do illiterate people get the full value of Alphabet Soup?" |
Ham Radio Licenses
Just a cop-out. I suspect that folks learn alot more useless
(and incorrect) things in school than having to learn the code. The requirement is there, deal with it! Whining isn't going to make the requirement go away nor will it get a license. Doug, k3qt s/v Callista "Vito" wrote in message ... I beg to disagree. Every complaint I have heard focuses on the fact that Morse Code is so obsolete that it has no practical value, not on its difficulty per se. People who have spent 12 years attending high school then four and more in college learning useful things are reluctant to spend even a dozen hours learning something ase useless (to them) as Morse Code. "Doug Dotson" wrote ..... My experience has been that most that cry foul about learnig code do so because they failed to learn it after two or three evenings of trying. It takes work, some more than others. |
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