• Morse Code

    From Andy Ball@1:124/5009 to Roy Witt on Wed Aug 30 08:25:06 2000
    (Written 2000-08-24, delayed due to technical problem)

    Hello Roy,

    RW> Since marine and aircraft no longer use CW, there's no need for
    > CW beacons. I think you'll find that they're all using digital
    > communications now. I think it was France who announced back
    > in 1998 that the end of that year (or the following February)
    > signaled the end of their CW in their maritime service. I
    > believe the announcement said that they were the last country to
    > do so.

    I think Britain still has maritime non-directional beacons (NDBs)
    that identify themselves in Morse, and I'd be surprised if our coast
    -guard were not equipped to receive it.

    I can understand the reduction of Morse code use, and I don't
    necessarily believe it should be compulsory for amateurs - but I think it's important to recognise it's potential as a fall-back system. Even if you can't modulate a carrier for some reason - if you can oscillate, you can communicate.

    Regards,
    - Andy.

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  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Andy Ball on Fri Sep 1 09:37:53 2000
    Hello Andy.

    30 Aug 00 15:25, you wrote to me:

    Since marine and aircraft no longer use CW, there's no need for
    CW beacons. I think you'll find that they're all using digital
    communications now. I think it was France who announced back
    in 1998 that the end of that year (or the following February)
    signaled the end of their CW in their maritime service. I
    believe the announcement said that they were the last country to
    do so.

    I think Britain still has maritime non-directional beacons (NDBs)
    that identify themselves in Morse,

    Maybe so.

    and I'd be surprised if our coast guard were not equipped to receive
    it.

    According to a friend of mine, who's a HAM (K7DCG) and a (retired now)
    Coast Guardsman, they quit using morse code and went digital in the early eighties. His last job with the CG was as a radio station manager on our
    Point Loma CG radio station here in San Diego.

    I can understand the reduction of Morse code use, and I don't necessarily believe it should be compulsory for amateurs -

    As you know, the requirements are being phased out in the FCC testing.
    That doesn't mean that MC will be going away very soon, as there are still dedicated frequencies and individuals who won't give it up anytime soon.
    Nor should they.

    but I think it's important to recognise it's potential as a fall-back system.

    Maybe 100 years from now, somebody will make a war movie where a platoon
    is cut off from headquarters and their radio is broken. Pretty soon some
    old Master Sargent remembers his great grandpappy taught him enough Morse
    Code to be dangerous. So he rigs a switch to the finals and uses a couple
    of empty cartridges for the make and break. He's all set up and sending
    code, but the people at headquarters don't have the slightest clue what
    that clickety clack interfering noise is in their speaker...

    Even if you can't modulate a carrier for some reason - if you
    can oscillate, you can communicate.

    {:)


    ... No wanna work... wanna play with satellites!!!
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  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to ROY WITT on Sat Sep 2 16:05:00 2000
    but I think it's important to recognise it's potential as a fall-back system.

    Maybe 100 years from now, somebody will make a war movie where a platoon
    is cut off from headquarters and their radio is broken. Pretty soon some old Master Sargent remembers his great grandpappy taught him enough Morse Code to be dangerous. So he rigs a switch to the finals and uses a couple of empty cartridges for the make and break. He's all set up and sending code, but the people at headquarters don't have the slightest clue what that clickety clack interfering noise is in their speaker...

    WHich is a good example as to why knowlege of it should be retained ;-)


    Even if you can't modulate a carrier for some reason - if you
    can oscillate, you can communicate.

    {:)

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)


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  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Tom Walker on Mon Sep 4 06:25:33 2000
    On (04 Sep 00) Tom Walker wrote to STAN PHILLIPS...

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Or in the case of at least 1 Vietnam POW by Blinking the Eyes.

    I haven't had any contact with the Cub or Boy Scouts of America for
    decades. Does anyone know if Code is still taught to them?

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

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    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Al Kaiser@1:109/921.71 to STAN PHILLIPS on Mon Sep 4 02:07:25 2000
    From Fludic Space STAN PHILLIPS reports:

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Which brings me to a natural question. Since doing away with morse
    code as a communiction method, what happened to communication between
    war ships by flashing light? I would imagine that semaphore by flag
    is still in use, but in Radioman school we learned that communication
    by light was one of the most secure means of communication since it
    was limited by visible line of sight only, (next to semaphore), which
    had a shorter range of visibility.

    Al Kaiser n1api@home.com <=-

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  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to STAN PHILLIPS on Sun Sep 3 23:32:00 2000
    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Or in the case of at least 1 Vietnam POW by Blinking the Eyes.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to STAN PHILLIPS on Mon Sep 4 01:35:19 2000
    On (02 Sep 00) STAN PHILLIPS wrote to ROY WITT...

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    If you have a good STRONG light source, one that reaches the receiving
    location you can talk over a light source with voice. That was
    demonstrated to my science class in the 30's.
    Of course, that can not be done if the light is very far away, or
    weak.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Mon Sep 4 23:35:00 2000
    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Or in the case of at least 1 Vietnam POW by Blinking the Eyes.

    I haven't had any contact with the Cub or Boy Scouts of America for decades. Does anyone know if Code is still taught to them?

    They still can earn credit towards a Merit Badge for using a Heliostat, neede
    code for that. . And as a side note while not really "Code" related they still
    teach signal Flags. It is all optional of course. And I read once in a while in Club Newsletters of needing Hams to go out the assist in communicating between Hilltops while the scouts are trying to pass off a Merit Badge element.


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  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Tue Sep 5 00:09:00 2000
    If you have a good STRONG light source, one that reaches the receiving location you can talk over a light source with voice. That was demonstrated to my science class in the 30's. Of course, that can not
    be done if the light is very far away, or weak.

    The modern equilivent of that uses Lasers. And it increased the range quite a bit
    But becasue of safety factors the power should be limited.


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  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Al Kaiser on Tue Sep 5 00:11:00 2000
    Which brings me to a natural question. Since doing away with morse
    code as a communiction method, what happened to communication between
    war ships by flashing light? I would imagine that semaphore by flag
    is still in use, but in Radioman school we learned that communication
    by light was one of the most secure means of communication since it
    was limited by visible line of sight only, (next to semaphore), which
    had a shorter range of visibility.

    Interesting question. Do they still teach Code in the Navy Signalmans school??? Any Active Duty Navy out there reading this???

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  • From Andy Ball@1:124/5009 to Roy Witt on Tue Sep 5 09:04:46 2000
    Hello Roy!

    RW> According to a friend of mine, who's a HAM (K7DCG) and
    > a (retired now) Coast Guardsman, they quit using morse
    > code and went digital in the early eighties. His last
    > job with the CG was as a radio station manager on our
    > Point Loma CG radio station here in San Diego.

    Well, he certainly ought to know! =o) I can understand
    the logic behind switching to a (computer) digital system for day-to-day use, but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress signals if nothing else.

    RW> As you know, the requirements are being phased out in
    > the FCC testing.

    Things certainly point that way (5 WPM and all that).
    Have the FCC said that they will eventually eliminate the requirement?

    Regards,
    - Andy.

    * SLMR 2.1a *

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  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Andy Ball on Tue Sep 5 11:56:35 2000
    Hello Andy.

    05 Sep 00 16:04, you wrote to me:

    job with the CG was as a radio station manager on our
    Point Loma CG radio station here in San Diego.

    Well, he certainly ought to know! =o) I can understand
    the logic behind switching to a (computer) digital system for
    day-to-day use, but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress
    signals if nothing else.

    I don't know that they do, but it's easy enough for ships at sea to send
    morse over broken microphones on maritime frequencies as well as those
    marine channels the CG monitors, if the need should arise..

    As you know, the requirements are being phased out in
    the FCC testing.

    Things certainly point that way (5 WPM and all that).
    Have the FCC said that they will eventually eliminate the
    requirement?

    It's one of those things that's decided by the international meetings held about every two years. I'm thinking IARU, but may be mistaken on that.
    The subject keeps poping up at these meetings and world-wide, morse code
    is being eliminated from government and military radio, and only has a following in Amateur Radio anymore.


    ... Give me an Ees ... give me an Oh ___ give me an Ees = EesOhEes
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  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to STAN PHILLIPS on Tue Sep 5 12:13:22 2000
    Hello STAN.

    02 Sep 00 23:05, you wrote to me:


    but I think it's important to recognise it's potential as a
    fall-back system.

    Maybe 100 years from now, somebody will make a war movie where a
    platoon is cut off from headquarters and their radio is broken.
    Pretty soon some old Master Sargent remembers his great grandpappy
    taught him enough Morse Code to be dangerous. So he rigs a switch
    to the finals and uses a couple of empty cartridges for the make and
    break. He's all set up and sending code, but the people at
    headquarters don't have the slightest clue what that clickety clack
    interfering noise is in their speaker...

    WHich is a good example as to why knowlege of it should be retained
    ;-)

    LOL! I guess.

    Even if you can't modulate a carrier for some reason - if you
    can oscillate, you can communicate.

    {:)

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Only if you have one of those with the momentary button. I could never
    get those slide switches to work 100% the way it should to generate intelligable code.


    ... Happiness is a warm valve......!!!
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  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Tom Walker on Tue Sep 5 14:13:48 2000
    On (05 Sep 00) Tom Walker wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    They still can earn credit towards a Merit Badge for using a
    Heliostat, neede code for that. . And as a side note while not
    really "Code" related they still teach signal Flags. It is all
    optional of course. And I read once in a while in Club Newsletters of needing Hams to go out the assist in communicating between Hilltops
    while the scouts are trying to pass off a Merit Badge element.

    Thanks for that info, Tom. And since they are communicating between
    hilltops I wonder if they're making use of the 460Mhz range FRS handi
    talkies? I've got a pair of them but can't get the XYL to talk to me.
    Rats!!

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Tom Walker on Tue Sep 5 14:15:40 2000
    On (05 Sep 00) Tom Walker wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    The modern equilivent of that uses Lasers. And it increased the range quite a bit
    But becasue of safety factors the power should be limited.

    I believe that the instructors used a large flashlight for the demo.
    It was short range, just across the auditorium stage, but I was
    fascinated by it, hi.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to RICHARD BRUMBAUGH on Mon Sep 4 16:11:00 2000
    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    If you have a good STRONG light source, one that reaches the receiving location you can talk over a light source with voice. That was demonstrated to my science class in the 30's.
    Of course, that can not be done if the light is very far away, or
    weak.

    Very good. With a mechanical modulator (loudspeaker coupled to a
    shutter assembly) it worked quite well.
    I suspect that using a laser, long distance communicatons would be possible,

    NOW...... That reminded me, years ago (in the 1980's), there was a
    report on TV of a laser system transmitting video from the USA to
    Canada at Nigara falls. One hotel room to another. It was being used
    to transmit pornographic movies over the border without having to go
    through customs (where porn was confisticated).

    Regarding the light source, life jackets (for use at sea)
    had a mirror and target sight assembly that could be used for
    signaling to a search aircraft and could also be used for sending
    info using morse code (If I remember, the code was printed on the
    back of the mirror).

    THe modern jacket transmitter, with a GPS reciever, that sends a
    mayday signal to one of the satellites is much better as it is
    automatic and does not need any action from the person wearing it
    (some do need the antenna to be pulled out).


    73 Stan

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  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to TOM WALKER on Mon Sep 4 16:11:00 2000
    PID: LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2
    MSGID: 1:202/353.0 da19c618
    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Or in the case of at least 1 Vietnam POW by Blinking the Eyes.


    That is a good one.

    73 Stan

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  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to AL KAISER on Mon Sep 4 16:18:00 2000
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    REPLY: 2:252/171 593133c0
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    From Fludic Space STAN PHILLIPS reports:

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Which brings me to a natural question. Since doing away with morse
    code as a communiction method, what happened to communication between
    war ships by flashing light? I would imagine that semaphore by flag
    is still in use, but in Radioman school we learned that communication
    by light was one of the most secure means of communication since it
    was limited by visible line of sight only, (next to semaphore), which
    had a shorter range of visibility.


    Morse code has NOT been 'done away with'. It is the use of code on
    the emergency radio transmitters on frequencies monitored by the
    coast guards. The best known frequency is 500 Khz.
    The use of Satellite's for emergency allows even a life jacket
    transmitter to send a MAYDAY (SOS) and if fitted with a GPS, even
    give the co-ordinates. A much better system.

    73 Stan

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  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to STAN PHILLIPS on Wed Sep 6 02:34:49 2000
    On (04 Sep 00) STAN PHILLIPS wrote to RICHARD BRUMBAUGH...

    NOW...... That reminded me, years ago (in the 1980's), there was a report on TV of a laser system transmitting video from the USA to
    Canada at Nigara falls. One hotel room to another. It was being used
    to transmit pornographic movies over the border without having to go through customs (where porn was confisticated).

    Now that's pretty neat, hi. Did they get caught?

    Regarding the light source, life jackets (for use at sea)
    had a mirror and target sight assembly that could be used for
    signaling to a search aircraft and could also be used for sending
    info using morse code (If I remember, the code was printed on the
    back of the mirror).

    Our crews never had any mirrors or anything like that. There was an
    emergency radio with the rafts, though, that were carried on all but
    the B-17 and B-29. We wore the jackets under the chutes.
    And I'm not really so sure about the bombers. They could have been at
    the rear end of the tunnel. It's been so long ago that I have a hard
    time remembering that stuff. We were CW ONLY ops. Very seldom used
    AM phone unless we needed to talk to civilian station that didn't have
    CW. Our tx was Collins ART-13 autotune and BC-348 rx.
    Our base station at Patrick AFB, FL, was remote BC-610s and our 2
    receivers were local, a Collins 51J, (I think), and an HRO.
    Our two CW freqs that we monitored our base were 3170Khz and 8780Khz.
    Usually, 3170 was only good at night. Once from about Nassau, at
    night, the skip was so long that I had New York stn QSP to Patrick.
    Even 3170Khz wasn't any good.
    Just a note, I sked my dad, W5MFC in Oklahoma at about 19:00 every
    evening. Once I was out late over the Bermuda triangle in a C-119 at
    that time. I tuned up the rig (ART-13) on the 40 meter freq we used
    and had a short QSO with dad from the plane. Then I had to get back
    to our regular freq. Had to send a position report at least every 30
    minutes, including QAL and take-offs.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Tue Sep 5 21:13:00 2000
    Thanks for that info, Tom. And since they are communicating between hilltops I wonder if they're making use of the 460Mhz range FRS handi talkies? I've got a pair of them but can't get the XYL to talk to me. Rats!!

    I suspect some troups are using the FRS units as it is a Line of Sight operation. They come in handy fro Troup leades on Outings to keep in touch also.

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  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Andy Ball on Tue Sep 5 21:17:00 2000
    Well, he certainly ought to know! =o) I can understand the logic
    behind switching to a (computer) digital system for day-to-day use,
    but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress signals if nothing
    else.

    Well they Don't. The old CW system is totaly shut down and the frequencies are no longer monitored. It is all voice or digital. I believe also there is an Emergency Locator Beacon system that is Satelite based. That basicly replaces the old WWII "Gibson Girl" hand cranked emergency unit. And the entire use of the 500 KC frequency.

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    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Tue Sep 5 21:22:00 2000
    use, but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress signals
    if nothing else.

    I don't know that they do, but it's easy enough for ships at sea to send morse over broken microphones on maritime frequencies as well as those marine channels the CG monitors, if the need should arise..

    But what good does it do if NO one can Copy it at the Listening Station???


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Tue Sep 5 21:25:00 2000
    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Only if you have one of those with the momentary button. I could never get those slide switches to work 100% the way it should to generate intelligable code.

    Which brings up an Interesting point in Flashlight Design. In hte Ond days they had a three position switch typicaly. Off/Pushbutton ON/ON
    Now days it is either a OFF/ON slide switch or Pushbutton.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Wed Sep 6 23:30:00 2000
    NOW...... That reminded me, years ago (in the 1980's), there was a report on TV of a laser system transmitting video from the USA to Canada at Nigara falls. One hotel room to another. It was being
    used
    to transmit pornographic movies over the border without having to go through customs (where porn was confisticated).

    Now that's pretty neat, hi. Did they get caught?

    In some areas of the Country back in that era they used Microwave to transmit
    Porno Movies. It was a subscription thing just like Cable.
    And Ironicly they are going back. Not strictly for transmitting Porno but they are trying to set up Laser Internet Service. The advnatage being the much
    higher speed then Dial Up and Even DSL or Modem service.
    It of course will be a situation that "IF" you have to ask How Much you cannot
    afford it. Kinda like the Hughes Interent Sat system.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Andy Ball@1:124/5009 to Roy Witt on Thu Sep 7 09:08:56 2000
    Hello Roy!

    RW> ...it's easy enough for ships at sea to send morse over broken
    > microphones on maritime frequencies as well as those marine
    > channels the CG monitors, if the need should arise..

    That's a good point.

    RW> It's one of those things that's decided by the international
    > meetings held about every two years. I'm thinking IARU, but
    > may be mistaken on that.

    I hadn't realised that it had been decided on an international
    level, that's interesting.

    Regards,
    - Andy.

    * SLMR 2.1a *

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  • From Andy Ball@1:124/5009 to Tom Walker on Thu Sep 7 09:08:56 2000
    Hello Tom!

    TW> I believe also there is an Emergency Locator Beacon system that
    > is Satelite based.

    Sounds like GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Signalling System?)
    that I read about a few years back.

    Regards,
    - Andy.

    * SLMR 2.1a *

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  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Andy Ball on Sun Sep 3 05:57:00 2000
    Hi...


    I can understand the reduction of Morse code use, and
    I don't
    necessarily believe it should be compulsory for amateurs
    - but I think it's important to recognise it's potential
    as a fall-back system. Even if you can't modulate a
    carrier for some reason - if you can oscillate, you can
    communicate.
    It is the ITU, dinosaurs, who insist on morse.
    It will in the near future become, optional, for a full class A licence.
    These days with computer technology, anyone can send and receive morse from the
    computer, yet, don't know if it is true as the ITU won't tell me, it has to be sent manualy.
    I mean if the British Army, Navy and most of the RAF no longer use it, why should prospective amateurs have to learn it for either a class A, 12wpm or M5,
    5wpm ?.
    Personal view only, but welcome comments

    Steve( ... - . ...- . )

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  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to TOM WALKER on Wed Sep 6 01:29:00 2000
    Hi Tom,

    I haven't had any contact with the Cub or Boy Scouts of America for decades. Does anyone know if Code is still taught to them?

    ... And as a side note while not really "Code" related they still
    teach signal Flags.

    When I was in the Scouts, I did not feel like remembering the normal flag positions for all the characters, so I passed the test with the other
    option, code. Up for a dit and sideways for a DAH

    Stan

    * The shortest distance between two puns: a straight line.
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  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to RICHARD BRUMBAUGH on Wed Sep 6 13:13:00 2000
    Hi Richard,

    Our crews never had any mirrors or anything like that....

    I should have mentioned that I was in Britain and referring to
    British kit.

    The signaling mirror was simple but effective. There was a hole in
    the middle of the mirror (chrome plated metal) and a hand held target
    with cross hairs and a hole in the middle. You held this target at
    arms length and then looked at the aircraft (or whoever you were
    signalling to) through both the hole in the mirror and the hole in
    the target. You then moved the angle of the mirror so that the sun
    either did or did not shine on the target. Simple but effective.

    Thanks for your very interesting reply.

    73 Stan

    * Celibacy is NOT hereditary.
    ---
    ■ RoseReader 2.52ß P003387
    * Origin: FONiX Info Systems * Berkshire UK * +44 1344 641625 (2:252/171)
  • From STAN PHILLIPS@2:252/171 to TOM WALKER on Wed Sep 6 15:40:00 2000
    behind switching to a (computer) digital system for day-to-day use, but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress signals if nothing else.

    Well they Don't. The old CW system is totaly shut down and the frequencies are no longer monitored.

    That is not fully true yet. While the coastguard services no longer
    monitor, there are still some ships around the world that
    have the old 500KHZ gear running. Who would hear a mayday?
    Possibly only another ship that is still running the older gear.

    I wonder how a ship in the middle of the Pacific would transmit a
    'mayday' if there was a disaster (such as activity from the Sun)
    that put all the satellites out of commision?


    All the best.
    Stan

    * A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
    ---
    ■ RoseReader 2.52ß P003387
    * Origin: FONiX Info Systems * Berkshire UK * +44 1344 641625 (2:252/171)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Steve Bainbridge on Fri Sep 8 01:43:53 2000
    On (03 Sep 00) Steve Bainbridge wrote to Andy Ball...

    These days with computer technology, anyone can send and
    receive morse from the computer, yet, don't know if it is true as the
    ITU won't tell me, it has to be sent manualy.
    I mean if the British Army, Navy and most of the RAF no longer use it,
    why should prospective amateurs have to learn it for either a class A, 12wpm or M5, 5wpm ?.
    Personal view only, but welcome comments

    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by computer is no more
    working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to STAN PHILLIPS on Fri Sep 8 01:46:10 2000
    On (06 Sep 00) STAN PHILLIPS wrote to RICHARD BRUMBAUGH...

    The signaling mirror was simple but effective. There was a hole in
    the middle of the mirror (chrome plated metal) and a hand held target
    with cross hairs and a hole in the middle. You held this target at
    arms length and then looked at the aircraft (or whoever you were signalling to) through both the hole in the mirror and the hole in
    the target. You then moved the angle of the mirror so that the sun
    either did or did not shine on the target. Simple but effective.

    Thanks for your very interesting reply.

    And thanks for your very interesting info. It sure makes sense.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Andy Ball on Fri Sep 8 01:39:00 2000
    TW> I believe also there is an Emergency Locator Beacon system that is
    > Satelite based.

    Sounds like GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Signalling System?) that
    I read about a few years back.

    I thin kthat is the one I am Thinking about. And Ironicly as I hear it the Russian Sat's that cound pick up the same signals worked Better then the ones put up by the United States.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Steve Bainbridge on Fri Sep 8 01:43:00 2000
    It is the ITU, dinosaurs, who insist on morse. It will in the near
    future become, optional, for a full class A licence. These days with computer technology, anyone can send and receive morse from the
    computer, yet, don't know if it is true as the ITU won't tell me, it
    has to be sent manualy. I mean if the British Army, Navy and most
    of the RAF no longer use it, why should prospective amateurs
    have to learn it for either a class A, 12wpm or M5, 5wpm ?. Personal
    view only, but welcome comments

    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the Military???
    IT dosen't matter what they use or Do Not Use. The HAM community is entirely seperate and a Hobby. They can Decide through their respectiave country Regulating agencies and cover groups, Under the guideliens of international Agreements, What is and Is Not Required to participate in the Hobby cannot they???
    AND presently Code Happens to be a Requirement in most countires.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From DAVE OLDRIDGE@2:252/171 to TOM WALKER on Sat Sep 9 10:56:00 2000
    TW> I believe also there is an Emergency Locator Beacon system that
    is
    > Satelite based.

    Sounds like GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress Signalling System?) that
    I read about a few years back.

    I thin kthat is the one I am Thinking about. And Ironicly as I hear it the Russian Sat's that cound pick up the same signals worked Better then the
    ones
    put up by the United States.

    I dunno about that. They are pretty simple birds really. The original research was done by a couple of VE3's working with one of the OSCAR
    birds and their cars.

    ---
    ■ MM 1.1 #0357 ■ Door: Something a cat wants to be on the other side of.
    * Origin: FONiX Info Systems * Berkshire UK * +44 1344 641625 (2:252/171)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Sun Sep 10 23:12:00 2000
    Kinda tough to make a slide switch, water proof, so the pushbutton continues to be made in top quality flashlights.

    Understand. Incidently I had never paid attention before but my 5 Cell Mag-Lite Flashlight has a dual purpose Pushbutton. If you push it to just before it Clicks on it will turn on the light. So Morse Code is possable with some "Modern Flashlights.
    I have 3 Eveready 2 cell flashlights that are either ON or Off with a click that would make transmitting Code difficult.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Mon Sep 11 01:43:00 2000
    But what good does it do if NO one can Copy it at the Listening Station???

    Good point. What I'd like to think is that whoever is listening would be aware enough to alert someone who just might have an idea of what that funny sounding stuff is.

    I would too. But as time passes I think the reality is that no one would. Adn
    with the Priority of some to Anilate CW alltogether the chances are slimmer. A
    Lot of the younger Hams buy into the Crapola that CW is archiac and worthless in the Hi Tech World.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Mon Sep 11 01:47:00 2000
    I belong to No Code International, a group led by W5YI, dedicated to lowering if not eliminating the code requirement in Amateur Radio. There was an earlier group in New Zealand that brought it to the IARU table a couple of years before NCI got on the band wagon.

    Isin't that kind of a "Self Serving" goal of the W5YI group since their main claim to fame is running Mindless weekend Licence Mills??
    Just think of the BIG bucks they could Earn IF the Code was Eliminated.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Steve Bainbridge on Mon Sep 11 01:52:00 2000
    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the Military???

    Did I say they were ?, all I said was that most of the UK military no longer use morse.

    That, in effect was saying; "Since the Military dumped it the Hams should also" isin't it??.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Mon Sep 11 01:55:00 2000
    I have had fewer than half dozen phone QSOs in the past 15 years or
    so. I hated having to learn the code (13 wpm) and wish there was NO
    code, hi. But after learning it I worked CW all the time. Mostly cuz
    I didn't have the money or know-how to build a modulated rig, hi. My
    rig for the past 18 or so years has been a CW only Heath HX-1681 and matching HR-1860 rcvr. I have a bunch of older stuff too, but just
    can't see that I'd get much fun from operating a store bought rig,
    hi. Might break down and get a rig some day though, if I can find
    one simple enough.

    There was an Old Timer, now a silent key, in the El Cajon Ham Club that was that way.
    He was always the First in line to sign up for the CW station for Field Day.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Mon Sep 11 01:58:00 2000
    How about taking my message with a grain of salt? Keyboard and
    computer use is more like TTY than CW. In the 40's we had a blind
    ham, W5LDM, could tell some light from dark. I put a 100ma lamp in
    series with his 807 plate voltage instead of a meter so he could tune
    up. I know; some people have keyers that have a CQ and their calls
    in it, etc, so that they can just sit back and let the keyer do all
    the work. If you like that, fine. I'd rather use a real key as long
    as I'm able to do so.

    And I salute you. My Dad, now a silent Key, was that way. He learned Code when the joined the Marine Corps in 1927 after figuring looking at a Mules Tail all day wasn't going to be his Future. . Particiipated in ther First Invasion of Hati in their "Signal Corps". After discharge he got a job with the "Light House" service transmitting Weather to Cross country Planes in CW. When I was born he was working a station in the Middle of a Missouri Farm Field. Loved CW.
    Saddly I didn't inherit any of those traits. I flunked the Code test for the First time in 1949 and numerious times since. It just dosen't click in my Brain. .


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Richard Brumbaugh on Sun Sep 10 00:28:00 2000
    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by computer is no more working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    True, it is mostly a Hi Tech Gimic and NOT the Old Brass Pounders CW . Particualrly in Character. It is Cold and Sterle. . But when the Interference is UP it will get through better then most any other communications method.


    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Thu Sep 7 11:20:04 2000
    Hello Tom.

    06 Sep 00 04:22, you wrote to me:


    use, but I hope they still monitor for Morse distress signals
    if nothing else.

    I don't know that they do, but it's easy enough for ships at sea to
    send morse over broken microphones on maritime frequencies as well
    as those marine channels the CG monitors, if the need should arise..

    But what good does it do if NO one can Copy it at the Listening Station???

    Good point. What I'd like to think is that whoever is listening would be
    aware enough to alert someone who just might have an idea of what that
    funny sounding stuff is.


    ... Last week she said it was either her or the radio. <over>!
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: KB6PI's Antenna Farm * Santa Ysabel, CA * (1:10/22)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Thu Sep 7 11:22:16 2000
    Hello Tom.

    06 Sep 00 04:25, you wrote to me:


    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Only if you have one of those with the momentary button. I could
    never get those slide switches to work 100% the way it should to
    generate intelligable code.

    Which brings up an Interesting point in Flashlight Design. In hte
    Ond days they had a three position switch typicaly. Off/Pushbutton
    ON/ON Now days it is either a OFF/ON slide switch or Pushbutton.

    Kinda tough to make a slide switch, water proof, so the pushbutton
    continues to be made in top quality flashlights.


    ... Ham on rye: A drunk amateur radio operator.
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: -.. . -.- -... -.... .--. .. -..-. .-. (1:10/22)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Andy Ball on Thu Sep 7 11:30:10 2000
    Hello Andy.

    07 Sep 00 16:08, you wrote to me:

    ...it's easy enough for ships at sea to send morse over broken
    microphones on maritime frequencies as well as those marine
    channels the CG monitors, if the need should arise..

    That's a good point.

    It's one of those things that's decided by the international
    meetings held about every two years. I'm thinking IARU, but
    may be mistaken on that.

    I hadn't realised that it had been decided on an international
    level, that's interesting.

    I belong to No Code International, a group led by W5YI, dedicated to
    lowering if not eliminating the code requirement in Amateur Radio. There
    was an earlier group in New Zealand that brought it to the IARU table a
    couple of years before NCI got on the band wagon.


    ... Kissed By Six Pretty Indians
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: -.. . -.- -... -.... .--. .. -..-. .-. (1:10/22)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Steve Bainbridge on Sun Sep 10 15:29:16 2000
    On (10 Sep 00) Steve Bainbridge wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by
    computer is no more
    working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    This is true to a certain extent, but chew on this.
    What if the person has a hearing problem ?.
    The way things stand at present, he/she would never get a class A or
    even an M5 licence.
    What about repetitive strain injury using a key ?.
    Yes I know that you can suffer RSI with a keyboard, but not as likely
    as using a key.
    As for your comment on not being "Real Sending", of course it is, and
    is likely to be better than 90% of the CW I have heard sent manualy.
    It makes no
    difference how it is sent and received, don't forget repeaters send
    the callsign in auto CW, or is there a little person sitting there 24
    hrs a day to send it every 10 mins or so ?.

    How about taking my message with a grain of salt? Keyboard and
    computer use is more like TTY than CW. In the 40's we had a blind
    ham, W5LDM, could tell some light from dark. I put a 100ma lamp in
    series with his 807 plate voltage instead of a meter so he could tune
    up.
    I know; some people have keyers that have a CQ and their calls in it,
    etc, so that they can just sit back and let the keyer do all the work.
    If you like that, fine. I'd rather use a real key as long as I'm able
    to do so.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Steve Bainbridge on Sun Sep 10 15:34:49 2000
    On (10 Sep 00) Steve Bainbridge wrote to Tom Walker...

    What next, politicians/organisations telling us what stamps we can
    collect ?

    Yes! Thru the UN! And stamps aren't the ONLY thing they will tell us
    that we can or cannot collect!

    I'm not saying scrap CW in toto, just make it optional, and allow the
    use of computers to tx/rx

    It's already that way here!

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Tom Walker on Mon Sep 11 10:54:22 2000
    On (11 Sep 00) Tom Walker wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    Loved CW. Saddly I didn't inherit any of those traits. I flunked the
    Code test for the First time in 1949 and numerious times since. It
    just dosen't click in my Brain. .

    My dad, silent key since 1963, was a Morse Telegrapher for RR and WU
    for some time. Then got on with AT&T. All telegraph back then. He
    had to learn the code all over again when going to International
    Morse.
    I failed the code test (13 wpm) my first try also in 1946. As it
    turned out I was glad that I did. My dad studied up on the letters
    that were different and we took the test together. Back then it was
    given every 3 months at the Post Office.
    We got consecutive calls, W5MFC, W5MFD.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:115/776 to Tom Walker on Wed Sep 13 05:43:32 2000
    RE: Re: Morse Code
    BY: Tom Walker to Roy Witt on Mon Sep 11 2000 12:00 am

    with the Priority of some to Anilate CW alltogether the chances are slimme Lot of the younger Hams buy into the Crapola that CW is archiac and worthl in the Hi Tech World.

    I'm a younger ham (I'm 28). I still know CW is great for when operating conditions for phone are nil. ;)

    Later,
    Sean

    --- Synchronet+SBBSecho v1.28
    * Origin: AfterHours/2 BBS -- Carbondale, Illinois (1:115/776)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Richard Brumbaugh on Sun Sep 10 05:44:00 2000
    Greetings, Richaard

    These days with computer technology, anyone can send and
    receive morse from the computer, yet, don't know if it is true as the
    ITU won't tell me, it has to be sent manualy.

    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by
    computer is no more
    working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    This is true to a certain extent, but chew on this.
    What if the person has a hearing problem ?.
    The way things stand at present, he/she would never get a class A or even an M5
    licence.
    What about repetitive strain injury using a key ?.
    Yes I know that you can suffer RSI with a keyboard, but not as likely as using a key.
    As for your comment on not being "Real Sending", of course it is, and is likely
    to be better than 90% of the CW I have heard sent manualy. It makes no difference how it is sent and received, don't forget repeaters send the callsign in auto CW, or is there a little person sitting there 24 hrs a day to send it every 10 mins or so ?.

    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Tom Walker on Sun Sep 10 05:50:01 2000
    Hi Tom


    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the
    Military???
    Did I say they were ?, all I said was that most of the UK military no longer use morse. Yes I know a lot of 3rd world
    countries do, due to lack of moolah to invest in modern technology.

    IT dosen't matter what they use or Do Not Use. The HAM
    community is entirely seperate and a Hobby. They can
    precisely, a HOBBY. Yet we are told that we must have morse if we want to TX below 30Mhz. Now that isn't the military telling us this, it is politicians, and even more annoying, half of them arn't even in our country.
    What next, politicians/organisations telling us what stamps we can collect ?

    Decide through their respectiave country Regulating
    agencies and cover groups, Under the guideliens of
    international Agreements, What is and Is Not Required to
    participate in the Hobby cannot they???
    AND presently Code Happens to be a Requirement in most
    countires. #
    True, but if you read my answer to Richard, you will no doubt get a better grasp of the reason I posted in the 1st place.
    I'm not saying scrap CW in toto, just make it optional, and allow the use of computers to tx/rx

    73's

    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Tom Walker on Sun Sep 10 12:11:34 2000
    On (10 Sep 00) Tom Walker wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    True, it is mostly a Hi Tech Gimic and NOT the Old Brass Pounders CW
    . Particualrly in Character. It is Cold and Sterle. . But when the Interference is UP it will get through better then most any other communications method.

    I have had fewer than half dozen phone QSOs in the past 15 years or
    so. I hated having to learn the code (13 wpm) and wish there was NO
    code, hi. But after learning it I worked CW all the time. Mostly cuz
    I didn't have the money or know-how to build a modulated rig, hi.
    My rig for the past 18 or so years has been a CW only Heath HX-1681
    and matching HR-1860 rcvr. I have a bunch of older stuff too, but
    just can't see that I'd get much fun from operating a store bought
    rig, hi. Might break down and get a rig some day though, if I can
    find one simple enough.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Tue Sep 12 09:46:46 2000
    Hello Tom.

    08 Sep 00 08:43, you wrote to Steve Bainbridge:


    It is the ITU, dinosaurs, who insist on morse. It will in the near
    future become, optional, for a full class A licence. These days with
    computer technology, anyone can send and receive morse from the
    computer, yet, don't know if it is true as the ITU won't tell me, it
    has to be sent manualy. I mean if the British Army, Navy and most
    of the RAF no longer use it, why should prospective amateurs
    have to learn it for either a class A, 12wpm or M5, 5wpm ?. Personal
    view only, but welcome comments

    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the Military???

    They're not. The FCC does that, getting their que from the ITU agreements
    and HAM community input.

    IT dosen't matter what they use or Do Not Use. The HAM community is entirely seperate and a Hobby.

    Still, it's regulated by the FCC.

    They can Decide through their respectiave country Regulating
    agencies and cover groups, Under the guideliens of international Agreements, What is and Is Not Required to participate in the Hobby
    cannot they???

    They do exactly that. Back when MC was highly used for communications by
    our military, the HAM community prided itself on it's readiness in case
    they were needed. WWII saw the results of that readiness. Since our
    military doesn't use MC/CW anymore....well, you know the rest.

    AND presently Code Happens to be a Requirement in most countires.

    Every country that subscribes to the ITU agreements has lowered the MC requirements. Eventually, MC will be phased out completely as a
    requirement for licensing.


    ... Ham radio + computers = no time + no money
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: KB6PI's Antenna Farm * Santa Ysabel, CA * (1:10/22)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Roy Witt on Wed Sep 13 23:56:00 2000
    Every country that subscribes to the ITU agreements has lowered the MC requirements. Eventually, MC will be phased out completely as a requirement for licensing.

    Again. the ITU Only sets the MINIMUM requirements for CW. Each Individual Country is FREE to set a Higher Standard!!

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Tom Walker@1:202/353 to Sean Dennis on Thu Sep 14 00:02:00 2000
    Lot of the younger Hams buy into the Crapola that CW is archiac and
    worthl
    in the Hi Tech World.

    I'm a younger ham (I'm 28). I still know CW is great for when operating conditions for phone are nil. ;)

    Congrats, You are one of a Few in your Generation. Typicaly when I talk about
    this subject all I get are Arguments on How the New Digital Technology is Better.

    --- LoraBBS-OS/2 v2.42B2+
    * Origin: SandOS Local San Diego BBS (1:202/353.0)
  • From Al Kaiser@1:109/921.71 to All on Mon Sep 4 02:07:25 2000
    Quoting All , about "Morse Code":
    From Fludic Space STAN PHILLIPS reports:

    Code is often sent by a light source. (including flashlights)

    Which brings me to a natural question. Since doing away with morse
    code as a communiction method, what happened to communication between
    war ships by flashing light? I would imagine that semaphore by flag
    is still in use, but in Radioman school we learned that communication
    by light was one of the most secure means of communication since it
    was limited by visible line of sight only, (next to semaphore), which
    had a shorter range of visibility.

    Al Kaiser n1api@home.com <=-

    ... Windows Error #01A: Operating system overwritten. Terribly sorry.
    ^^^ Tag-O-Matic V.13F (733 Taglines) (Quoted 17%) Owned by Al Kaiser

    --- Terminate 5.00 UnReg(260)
    * Origin: The NEW Terminate will -=> FAX <=- almost anything! (1:109/921.71)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Richard Brumbaugh on Wed Sep 13 11:20:00 2000
    Hi


    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by
    computer is no more
    working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    This is true to a certain extent, but chew on this.
    What if the person has a hearing problem ?.
    The way things stand at present, he/she would never get a class A or
    even an M5 licence.

    How about taking my message with a grain of salt?
    Oh I do, beleive me.
    Don't get me wrong I myself am learning CW, but to be honest, it is finding time to sit down an a regular basis to do it.
    Keyboard and
    computer use is more like TTY than CW. In the 40's we
    yes and no, but I get your point. I can see no reason why CW should not be made
    optional with immediate effect. It is up to each countries Radio Reg office to do this not the ITU
    had a blind
    ham, W5LDM, could tell some light from dark. I put a
    100ma lamp in
    series with his 807 plate voltage instead of a meter so
    he could tune
    up.
    I know; some people have keyers that have a CQ and their
    calls in it,
    etc, so that they can just sit back and let the keyer do
    all the work.
    If you like that, fine. I'd rather use a real key as
    long as I'm able
    to do so.
    How true, but I take it you see what I'm getting at


    73's

    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Richard Brumbaugh on Wed Sep 13 11:23:01 2000
    Hi

    What next, politicians/organisations telling us what stamps we can
    collect ?

    Yes! Thru the UN! And stamps aren't the ONLY thing they
    will tell us
    that we can or cannot collect!
    You have to stand up to these people, who are supposed to the voice of the people, Ha, that will be the day. Look at the petrol situation in the UK, total
    disruption, and it isn't a week old as yet.

    I'm not saying scrap CW in toto, just make it optional, and allow the
    use of computers to tx/rx

    It's already that way here!
    Really, so you can take a test, pass and go on below 30Mhz can you.


    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Tom Walker on Wed Sep 13 11:33:02 2000
    Hi Tom

    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the Military???

    Did I say they were ?, all I said was that most of the UK military no
    longer use morse.

    That, in effect was saying; "Since the Military dumped it
    the Hams should also" isin't it??.
    No, don't try and twist my words, I'm not that soft.
    It isn't just the military as you well know, very few organistaions still use CW.
    I said make it "Optional", so if you wish to learn/use CW fine, just scrap the ITU mandatory bit, which as it happens isn't really upto the ITU it is the individual countries Radio Regs people. It is a silly thing anyway. If you read
    my message about class "B" licence dfor above 30Mhz. You take a test and if you
    pass, apply for your licence. You can then TX above 30Mhz, and yes there is nowt to stop you using CW sent automaticly, silly or what
    Reading one of your other messages, about failing the morse test in 49, was it,
    I assume that you don't use morse.


    Regards

    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Steve Bainbridge on Fri Sep 15 15:59:21 2000
    On (13 Sep 00) Steve Bainbridge wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    Don't get me wrong I myself am learning CW, but to be honest, it is finding time to sit down an a regular basis to do it.

    I thought I'd "never" learn the code, but I did, hi.
    I'd be willing to bet that since I got my ticket in 1946 I haven't had
    100 phone QSOs. When building rigs, though, I always had to have the
    "ability" to work phone (AM). I've only had 2 SSB QSOs on my Scout,
    and that was just to "test" it, hi.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Richard Brumbaugh@1:170/302.17 to Steve Bainbridge on Fri Sep 15 16:02:21 2000
    On (13 Sep 00) Steve Bainbridge wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

    It's already that way here!
    Really, so you can take a test, pass and go on below 30Mhz can you.

    No! I reckon I either misunderstood you or was falling asleep, hi.

    Best regards, (73)
    Dick, W5MFD since 1946
    richard.brumbaugh@gratisnet.com

    --- PPoint 3.01
    * Origin: A School-Free Gun Zone * Tulsa OK * USA (1:170/302.17)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:221/360.2000 to All on Wed Sep 13 11:20:00 2000
    From: Steve.Bainbridge@f220.n250.z2.fidonet.org

    Hi


    It seems to me that sending and receiving code by
    computer is no more
    working CW than Lip Syncing Caruso is singing opera.

    This is true to a certain extent, but chew on this.
    What if the person has a hearing problem ?.
    The way things stand at present, he/she would never get a class A or
    even an M5 licence.

    How about taking my message with a grain of salt?
    Oh I do, beleive me.
    Don't get me wrong I myself am learning CW, but to be honest, it is finding time to sit down an a regular basis to do it.
    Keyboard and
    computer use is more like TTY than CW. In the 40's we
    yes and no, but I get your point. I can see no reason why CW should not be
    made optional with immediate effect. It is up to each countries Radio Reg office to do this not the ITU
    had a blind
    ham, W5LDM, could tell some light from dark. I put a
    100ma lamp in
    series with his 807 plate voltage instead of a meter so
    he could tune
    up.
    I know; some people have keyers that have a CQ and their
    calls in it,
    etc, so that they can just sit back and let the keyer do
    all the work.
    If you like that, fine. I'd rather use a real key as
    long as I'm able
    to do so.
    How true, but I take it you see what I'm getting at


    73's

    Steve

    --- SoupGate-OS/2 v1.05
    * Origin: RBB * V34+ * ISDN X75 * +358-3-3492356 (2:221/360.2000)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:221/360.2000 to All on Wed Sep 13 11:23:01 2000
    From: Steve.Bainbridge@f220.n250.z2.fidonet.org

    Hi

    What next, politicians/organisations telling us what stamps we can
    collect ?

    Yes! Thru the UN! And stamps aren't the ONLY thing they
    will tell us
    that we can or cannot collect!
    You have to stand up to these people, who are supposed to the voice of the people, Ha, that will be the day. Look at the petrol situation in the UK,
    total disruption, and it isn't a week old as yet.

    I'm not saying scrap CW in toto, just make it optional, and allow the
    use of computers to tx/rx

    It's already that way here!
    Really, so you can take a test, pass and go on below 30Mhz can you.


    Steve

    --- SoupGate-OS/2 v1.05
    * Origin: RBB * V34+ * ISDN X75 * +358-3-3492356 (2:221/360.2000)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:221/360.2000 to all I on Wed Sep 13 11:33:02 2000
    From: Steve.Bainbridge@f220.n250.z2.fidonet.org

    Hi Tom

    Why shopld the Ham Community be Dictated to by the Military???

    Did I say they were ?, all I said was that most of the UK military no
    longer use morse.

    That, in effect was saying; "Since the Military dumped it
    the Hams should also" isin't it??.
    No, don't try and twist my words, I'm not that soft.
    It isn't just the military as you well know, very few organistaions still use CW.
    I said make it "Optional", so if you wish to learn/use CW fine, just scrap the ITU mandatory bit, which as it happens isn't really upto the ITU it is the individual countries Radio Regs people. It is a silly thing anyway. If you
    read my message about class "B" licence dfor above 30Mhz. You take a test and if you pass, apply for your licence. You can then TX above 30Mhz, and yes
    there is nowt to stop you using CW sent automaticly, silly or what
    Reading one of your other messages, about failing the morse test in 49, was
    it, I assume that you don't use morse.


    Regards

    Steve

    --- SoupGate-OS/2 v1.05
    * Origin: RBB * V34+ * ISDN X75 * +358-3-3492356 (2:221/360.2000)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Sat Sep 16 05:58:50 2000
    Hello Tom.

    11 Sep 00 08:43, you wrote to me:


    But what good does it do if NO one can Copy it at the Listening
    Station???

    Good point. What I'd like to think is that whoever is listening
    would be aware enough to alert someone who just might have an idea
    of what that funny sounding stuff is.

    I would too. But as time passes I think the reality is that no one
    would.

    Uh huh...my point.

    Adn with the Priority of some to Anilate CW alltogether the
    chances are slimmer. A Lot of the younger Hams buy into the Crapola
    that CW is archiac and worthless in the Hi Tech World.

    That's not crapola...it's true.


    ... Real radios glow in the dark!
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: KB6PI's Cantina * Santa Ysabel, CA (1:10/22)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Sat Sep 16 05:59:57 2000
    Hello Tom.

    11 Sep 00 08:47, you wrote to me:


    I belong to No Code International, a group led by W5YI, dedicated to
    lowering if not eliminating the code requirement in Amateur Radio.
    There was an earlier group in New Zealand that brought it to the
    IARU table a couple of years before NCI got on the band wagon.

    Isin't that kind of a "Self Serving" goal of the W5YI group since
    their main claim to fame is running Mindless weekend Licence Mills??

    Really? I didn't know that. Course, they never say their goal is to run mindless weekend licensing mills in their monthly newsletter.

    Just think of the BIG bucks they could Earn IF the Code was
    Eliminated.

    Don't know how you figure that; when the FCC has upped the ante by making
    the written tests harder.


    ... OSCAR birds don't have feathers!
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: Kissed By 6 Pretty Indians (1:10/22)
  • From Roy Witt@1:10/22 to Tom Walker on Sat Sep 16 06:14:38 2000
    Hello Tom.

    14 Sep 00 06:56, you wrote to me:


    Every country that subscribes to the ITU agreements has lowered the
    MC requirements. Eventually, MC will be phased out completely as a
    requirement for licensing.

    Again. the ITU Only sets the MINIMUM requirements for CW. Each
    Individual Country is FREE to set a Higher Standard!!

    Which doesn't mean they will.


    ... Hams do it with frequency, till their GIGAHERTZ!
    --- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
    * Origin: KB6PI's Cantina * Santa Ysabel, CA (1:10/22)
  • From Steve Bainbridge@2:250/220 to Richard Brumbaugh on Sun Sep 17 13:31:01 2000
    Hi


    It's already that way here!
    Really, so you can take a test, pass and go on below 30Mhz can you.

    No! I reckon I either misunderstood you or was falling
    asleep, hi.
    Probably the later.
    I will try and make time on a daily basis to get stuck into learning, knowing my luck I will get it right and the powers that be will scrap it, hi.

    Steve

    --- Gecho/32 1.20/Pro
    * Origin: Transponder BBs Liverpool UK +44 151 226 4631 (2:250/220)
  • From Erlend Pettersen@2:211/37 to Tom Walker on Tue Sep 26 16:05:00 2000
    Every country that subscribes to the ITU agreements has lowered the MC
    requirements. Eventually, MC will be phased out completely as a
    requirement for licensing.
    Again. the ITU Only sets the MINIMUM requirements for CW. Each Individual
    Country is FREE to set a Higher Standard!!

    The minimum requirement here in Norway is 25 wpm. Or was it characters per second?

    --Erlend Pettersen

    --- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-1
    * Origin: Circle Of Protection (2:211/37)
  • From Sean Dennis@1:115/776 to Tom Walker on Thu Sep 14 06:54:26 2000
    RE: Re: Morse Code
    BY: Tom Walker to Sean Dennis on Thu Sep 14 2000 12:00 am

    I'm a younger ham (I'm 28). I still know CW is great for when operati conditions for phone are nil. ;)

    Congrats, You are one of a Few in your Generation. Typicaly when I talk a this subject all I get are Arguments on How the New Digital Technology is Better.

    Not too long ago, I was of that mind, but then I was able to see CW in action in the 1997 F5 tornado in Jarrell, Texas. So, it was then I decided to get my ham license (I got it in November of 1997). However, I didn't have time to study the code yet and haven't had until now, with major life changes such as a divorce and a move to reestablish myself.

    Hopefully, I'll be able to get a tone generator soon and work on learning the code the old fashioned way. ;)

    73,
    Sean

    --- Synchronet+SBBSecho v1.28
    * Origin: AfterHours/2 BBS -- Carbondale, Illinois (1:115/776)