For all those considering an Amateur Radio (HAM) license

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:32 pm

From an e-mail I received on another list:

ARLB030 FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes
In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code
requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission
today adopted a Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 05-235. In a
break from typical practice, the FCC only issued a public notice at
or about the close of business and not the actual Report and Order,
so some details -- including the effective date of the R&O --
remain uncertain.

Here's a link to the PDF version of the official document from the FCC. This mostly affects the General and Extra class licenses; Tech class has had no code requirement. So if you've been on the fence about getting a license or upgrading because of that pesky 5wpm code test, get that study guide out and get going!

Oh, did I mention that I personally feel its about bloody time that the FCC did this???

unixxx · **Posted:** Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:06 am

Sweet, I was going to get a General license but really had no interest in learning Morse code. I'll have to brush up and take the test now. Just got to find out when the change goes into effect.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:25 am

unixxx wrote:

Just got to find out when the change goes into effect.

Here's some more on the change:

From the FCC document -

Quote:

Typically, the effective date of an FCC Order is 30 days after it appears in the Federal Register. If that's the case, the Morse requirement and the revised 80-meter segment for automatically controlled digital stations would likely not go into effect until late January or early February 2007. That's not clear from the public notice, however. The FCC can order its decision effective upon release.

So it will probably be another month or so before it happens, but it could be earlier if the FCC chooses to make it so. So you should have plenty of time to study before you go to take the test.

Good luck on the test!

DZL_LOU · **Posted:** Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:00 am

It's inevitable but I can see both sides of the issue.

For Amatuer Radio to survive it needs new blood, lowering the bar will increase numbers for sure. Some "oldtimers" even say some of the bands are now as bad as 27MHZ. Profanity, Rudeness throwing "handles" out instead of callsigns and using 10-codes. Not to mention QSL's are becoming a thing of the past

However, the other side of the issue if anyone has sent a CQ at 5~10WPM how long did you wait for a response or did you ever get one? Did anyone even take the time to match your speed at 5~10WMP? Then compare that to a CQ while using PSK31 and you soon see why you got no response.
The demography of the HAM has changed, people don't have time to sit around all evening in front of the radio. The rapid advances in technology have provided instant and rapid on the go communication.

So I guess I'm indifferent to it but when using Morse Code, but it does bring you back to the roots of Amatuer Radio. I can't help thinking about the Titanic.
Next move is that the FCC will consider to auction off more Bands to the private sector. If ARRL wants clout they should look at lobbying tactics of the NRA.

-73's

Elwenil · **Posted:** Mon Dec 18, 2006 1:54 pm

Interesting. Even though the code portion is what kept me from getting my license, I'm not sure I agree with this move. The thing about Morse Code is that it requires so little power to transmit and is pretty much known by everyone. It seems to be the nature of most of the HAM operators that I know to be volunteers and help out in emergency situations. I think that the ability of the "network" of station operators will be severly hampered in a true emergency without the code to fall back on if other communication methods fail.

unixxx · **Posted:** Mon Dec 18, 2006 2:10 pm

I know for myself personally, even if I learned Morse code to pass the exam, I'd just forgot it in a few months. The same with school exams :lol:

Unless there's a need to use it all the time, I don't think many people will remember it.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:49 pm

Update: Code requirement elimination becomes effective Feb. 23rd. So get out those study guides and get to studying for that upgrade

For all those considering an Amateur Radio (HAM) license

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