Well, look at the commercial aspect.  Right now it still takes time and
money to operate in the HAM bands, much more of both than it does to
operate CB.

Assuming that lots of people do move into HAM because of this, the cost
of equipment will go down.  IF some assumptions are correct and the
bands become cluttered with 'undesirables'  (according to certian
personal views) then the governing authority may create a few more
harder to get licences.

Right now many people believe HAM radio needs a shot in the arm.  There
are MANY 'gentlemanly' EE types and others who would join the HAM ranks
if it didn't take so much time to learn morse code at higher speeds.
Now that that hurdle is lowered I think you will find a lot of great
people will join.  The 5wpm morse requirement is still enough to stop
lazy people who would generally cause a problem.

Besides, it's about time I got my license, I would love to start doing
radio electronics with fewer restrictions...

-Adam

Sean Breheny wrote:
>
> Hi Paul,
>
> Well, the point is NOT that Morse code knowledge makes you a gentleman, BUT
> that there needs to be some hurdle to overcome in order to get an amateur
> license. As Bill said, the technical part of the exams is patheticly easy
> to pass (and the regulations portion is not much harder). SO, I would not
> be surprised if the number of CB-types in amateur radio increased if the
> last great barrier (CW) was removed.
>
> I think the best thing for the hobby would be to return to tougher written
> exams, combined with introducing some newer technology (even more important).
>
> I must admit that I have done VERY little amateur operating in the last
> couple of years, mostly because I no longer have the time (nor the desire)
> to just rag chew. However, if there were more electronics hobbists and
> experimenters on the bands,though, I might become more involved.
>
> Sean
>
> At 10:05 AM 1/3/00 +1100, Paul B. Webster VK2BZC wrote:
> >  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.
> >
> |
> | Sean Breheny
> | Amateur Radio Callsign: KA3YXM
> | Electrical Engineering Student
> \--------------=----------------
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