Quoting Roy Witt to Andy Ball <=-

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.

It is left entirely to the individual countries, Roy. All the
International Radio Regulations say is....

"2736 (2) Administrations shall take such measures as they judge
necessary to verify the operation and technical qualifications of any
person wishing to operate the apparatus of an amateur station."

The only problem arises when reciprocal licensing is involved, and
more recently with the CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 of which the USA
is a signatory.

73

David

... G4DMP - A sign of Amateur Radio - the world's finest hobby
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)

Hello David.

07 Sep 00 02:30, you wrote to me:

It is left entirely to the individual countries, Roy. All the International Radio Regulations say is....

"2736 (2) Administrations shall take such measures as they judge necessary to verify the operation and technical qualifications of any person wishing to operate the apparatus of an amateur station."

Notice it doesn't mention the use of or testing in morse code. At one
time, as recently as 1998, I believe it did.

The only problem arises when reciprocal licensing is involved, and
more recently with the CEPT Recommendation T/R 61-01 of which the USA
is a signatory.

That's also why the FCC went to the three license classes. Japan had the highest count of 'no-code' licensees for the last twenty years. Nearly
double the amount of licensees here. Now they can get a reciprocal
license in the US.


... Real radios glow in the dark!
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: (1:10/22)

I belong to No Code International, a group led by W5YI, dedicated to lowering if not eliminating the code requirement in Amateur Radio.

Is that why you have Morse code in your Origin, Roy? ;-O

+ Origin: -.. . -.- -... -.... .--. .. -..-. .-. (1:10/22)

73

David

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)

Quoting Roy Witt to David Pratt <=-

"2736 (2) Administrations shall take such measures as they judge necessary to verify the operation and technical qualifications of any person wishing to operate the apparatus of an amateur station."

Notice it doesn't mention the use of or testing in morse code. At one time, as recently as 1998, I believe it did.

Sorry, my mistake Roy, it does....

"2735 3. (1) Any person seeking a licence to operate the apparatus
of an amateur station shall prove that he is able to send correctly by
hand and to receive correctly by ear texts in Morse code signals. The administrations concerned may, however, waive this requirement in the
case of stations making use exclusively of frequencies above 30 MHz."

I am not sure how the FCC got away without requiring a sending test as
part of Units 1A, 1B or 1C, but they have. In the UK, we still have a
sending test in which the candidate is not allowed any uncorrected
errors.

73

David G4DMP
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)

On (12 Sep 00) David Pratt wrote to Roy Witt...

I am not sure how the FCC got away without requiring a sending test as part of Units 1A, 1B or 1C, but they have. In the UK, we still have a sending test in which the candidate is not allowed any uncorrected
errors.

In my opinion sending test should still be required. Just listen to
some of the newcomers sending that can't be read.

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)

Quoting Richard Brumbaugh to David Pratt <=-

In my opinion sending test should still be required. Just listen to
some of the newcomers sending that can't be read.

Yes, I agree Richard. Personally, I do prefer to use a straight key.
While near perfect code can be achieved with an elbug, perfect morse
lacks personality. It is good to be able to recognise a ham by his
"fist". The motto of the UK Tops CW Club springs to mind... "Where
fists make friends".

73

David

... G4DMP - A sign of Amateur Radio - the world's finest hobby
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)

On (13 Sep 00) David Pratt wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

Yes, I agree Richard. Personally, I do prefer to use a straight key.

I also use a straight key most of the time. I have an old heavy key
made by Brown Bros in St. Louis MO. Also have a heavy base with a
straight key and iambic paddle on it made by "the Ham-Key Co" in St.
Louis MO also. I haven't seen an add by either since I got these
about 1983. I'd used an old vibroplex bug up until that time. Paid
$5.00 for it, used, chrome plated.
I still prefer the iambic keying though. Took me a few hours of
practice to switch from Type "A" to Type "B", though, 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)

Quoting Richard Brumbaugh to David Pratt <=-

I also use a straight key most of the time. I have an old heavy key
made by Brown Bros in St. Louis MO. Also have a heavy base with a straight key and iambic paddle on it made by "the Ham-Key Co" in St.
Louis MO also. I haven't seen an add by either since I got these
about 1983. I'd used an old vibroplex bug up until that time. Paid
$5.00 for it, used, chrome plated.

Ah, yes, I too have a chrome Vibroplex, bought band new about 40 years
ago for about 10 UK pounds and still looking as good as new in its
black carrying case. It must be worth a small fortune these days.

I still prefer the iambic keying though. Took me a few hours of
practice to switch from Type "A" to Type "B", though, hi.

I am still trying to get used to a conventional el-bug having just
finished making the Elecraft K2 transceiver which has one built in.
It does have Iambic modes A and B also, but first things first. By
the way, what is the difference between Type A and Type B?

73

David

... G4DMP - A sign of Amateur Radio - the world's finest hobby
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)

On (15 Sep 00) David Pratt wrote to Richard Brumbaugh...

Ah, yes, I too have a chrome Vibroplex, bought band new about 40 years
ago for about 10 UK pounds and still looking as good as new in its
black carrying case. It must be worth a small fortune these days.

I haven't had mine for many years. Back in the '40's dad bought he
and I both a brand new bug, black krinkle finish. I think they may
have been military surplus, but I'm not sure. Wish I had it too, and
a lot of other stuff made in the 20's and 30's that I gave away.

I am still trying to get used to a conventional el-bug having just finished making the Elecraft K2 transceiver which has one built in.
It does have Iambic modes A and B also, but first things first. By
the way, what is the difference between Type A and Type B?

The Elecraft K2 looks like a good kit. There has been a good write up
on it, I believe in a recent QST, but again, not sure.
Type A: If you are sending a character that you have both paddles
squeezed closed, the last dit or dah being sent will complete.
Type B: If you are sending a character that you have both paddles
squeezed closed, it will not only complete the dit or dah that is
being sent, but will send another one of the opposite.
If you are used to sending a "K" by holding the dash paddle in and
"thumbing" in the dot, type A will complete the "K".
If you send a "K" as above using type B it will send a dit, and
actually send a "C". It's kinda hard to get used to. My home brew
keyer using the Curtis chip I built in the 80's uses type A.
My Ten-Tec Scout has built-in type B "only", so I either had to use my
separate keyer or get used to type B. I decided to practice and get
type B down pat. It takes a few hours practice.
With type A you could send the letter "A" by holding in the dit paddle
and thumb-in the dash, letting both paddles make contact. Can't do
that with type B. It will send another dit, and send an "R" instead.
That ought to be enough for you to see the difference, hi.

Of course, if you use a "single" paddle, it is moot, cuz you can't
send the dits and dahs at the same time.

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: john.doe@rbb.dtdns.net

Quoting Richard Brumbaugh to David Pratt <=-

I also use a straight key most of the time. I have an old heavy key
made by Brown Bros in St. Louis MO. Also have a heavy base with a straight key and iambic paddle on it made by "the Ham-Key Co" in St.
Louis MO also. I haven't seen an add by either since I got these
about 1983. I'd used an old vibroplex bug up until that time. Paid
$5.00 for it, used, chrome plated.

Ah, yes, I too have a chrome Vibroplex, bought band new about 40 years
ago for about 10 UK pounds and still looking as good as new in its
black carrying case. It must be worth a small fortune these days.

I still prefer the iambic keying though. Took me a few hours of
practice to switch from Type "A" to Type "B", though, hi.

I am still trying to get used to a conventional el-bug having just
finished making the Elecraft K2 transceiver which has one built in.
It does have Iambic modes A and B also, but first things first. By
the way, what is the difference between Type A and Type B?

73

David

... G4DMP - A sign of Amateur Radio - the world's finest hobby
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- SoupGate-OS/2 v1.05
* Origin: RBB * V34+ * ISDN X75 * +358-3-3492356 (2:221/360.2000)

Hello David.

12 Sep 00 05:50, 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.

Is that why you have Morse code in your Origin, Roy? ;-O

+ Origin: -.. . -.- -... -.... .--. .. -..-. .-. (1:10/22)

Is that what that is? :o)



... Get the ATV Bug, not the CW bug.
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: KB6PI's Cantina * Santa Ysabel, CA (1:10/22)

Hello David.

12 Sep 00 23:50, you wrote to me:

Quoting Roy Witt to David Pratt <=-

"2736 (2) Administrations shall take such measures as they judge
necessary to verify the operation and technical qualifications of
any person wishing to operate the apparatus of an amateur station."

Notice it doesn't mention the use of or testing in morse code. At
one time, as recently as 1998, I believe it did.

Sorry, my mistake Roy, it does....

"2735 3. (1) Any person seeking a licence to operate the apparatus
of an amateur station shall prove that he is able to send correctly
by hand and to receive correctly by ear texts in Morse code signals.
The administrations concerned may, however, waive this requirement in
the case of stations making use exclusively of frequencies above 30
MHz."

I am not sure how the FCC got away without requiring a sending test
as part of Units 1A, 1B or 1C, but they have. In the UK, we still
have a sending test in which the candidate is not allowed any
uncorrected errors.

I passed the 13wpm General exam in 1979 and never had to prove I could
send, nor did I have to prove I could copy code. All I had to do was
answer questions about the content of a morse code session they played on
tape. For all they know, I could have looked at the answer sheet of
someone else.

PS; actually it was the other way around, I copied the code session and
wrote down the right answers. A friend of mine, who wasn't as code savvy
with a stumbling block at less than 10wpm, just happened to look over at
my answers...


... Ham on rye: A drunk amateur radio operator.
--- Twit(t) Filter v2.1 (C) 2000
* Origin: KB6PI's Cantina * Santa Ysabel, CA (1:10/22)

Quoting Richard Brumbaugh to David Pratt <=-

I haven't had mine for many years. Back in the '40's dad bought he
and I both a brand new bug, black krinkle finish. I think they may
have been military surplus, but I'm not sure. Wish I had it too, and
a lot of other stuff made in the 20's and 30's that I gave away.

I don't know which came first Vibroplex or McElroy, but I know they
were both popular in the early days.

The Elecraft K2 looks like a good kit. There has been a good write up
on it, I believe in a recent QST, but again, not sure.

Yes, March QST has a review of the Elecraft K2, and I can confirm the
rig lives up to the performance given in the review. I can't even
press the key without someone coming back to me ;-)

Type A: If you are sending a character that you have both paddles squeezed closed, the last dit or dah being sent will complete.
Type B: If you are sending a character that you have both paddles squeezed closed, it will not only complete the dit or dah that is
being sent, but will send another one of the opposite.
If you are used to sending a "K" by holding the dash paddle in and "thumbing" in the dot, type A will complete the "K".
If you send a "K" as above using type B it will send a dit, and
actually send a "C". It's kinda hard to get used to. My home brew
keyer using the Curtis chip I built in the 80's uses type A.
My Ten-Tec Scout has built-in type B "only", so I either had to use my separate keyer or get used to type B. I decided to practice and get
type B down pat. It takes a few hours practice.
With type A you could send the letter "A" by holding in the dit paddle
and thumb-in the dash, letting both paddles make contact. Can't do
that with type B. It will send another dit, and send an "R" instead.
That ought to be enough for you to see the difference, hi.

Thank you for that, Dick. Since my previous msg I have bought myself
an iambic paddle so will have a practice. It's only a cheap one,
bought second hand at a radio fair - "Hi-Mound Manipulator", but it
will do to practise with.

Of course, if you use a "single" paddle, it is moot, cuz you can't
send the dits and dahs at the same time.

Do you wanna bet? ;-)

73

David G4DMP
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- FLAME v2.0/b
* Origin: SpeedMail TBBS, Leeds UK * Running 22:00 to 07:00 UTC (2:250/355)