Keelan Lightfoot wrote:

> This new system would make for smoother path to 'HF freedom', but I
> think the time spent working through the upgrade tiers gives the new
> amateur respect of the airwaves.

> I worry that amateur radio will becode another CB radio, full of lids
> with no useful information to offer.

  This is a fascinating old "Ham" chestnut.  It is purported that an
operator who is technically proficient - i.e., perfectly competent in
radio theory and regulations, capable of building and maintaining
equipment - is automatically some sort of "CB-Band" sociopath, but one
who has learnt Morse code is automatically a gentleman.

  Those VHF bands sure are vulgar places, aren't they?

  This astounding social principle being the case, would it not make
urgent sense to start teaching Morse Code in jails?  Parole conditional
on achevement of 30 wpm.  *Surely* this is the social engineering
miracle for which society has been waiting?
--
  Cheers,
        Paul B.