>> 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.

I like to think i'm not an old "ham" yet.

What i'm saying is that learning 'the code' shows that a person has a little
more commitment to the hobby, and probably won't abuse their priveliges
because they had to work hard to get them. The theory questions in the exam
are no longer a test of a person's skills, but rather a test of their
ability to go out and copy of the FCC question bank and memorize it.

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

I wouldn't know, I can't afford a VHF radio yet :) I know that the
conversations held on the HF bands can get pretty stupid some times. I heard
a conversation one night on 80m -- A guy was giving gun tips to his buddy.
Things like "I sleep with the safety off" and "If you find someone in your
house, *don't call the police*. Make them go outside and lay in the
ditch..." *Brilliant* advice.

>  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?

There's a lot of difference between the HF bands and general society, Paul.
I don't need to tell you that.

- Keelan Lightfoot
VE7NCR