[cfgeeks] FCC eliminates morse code requirements

[Gilbert Young]

On Dec 16, 2006, at 11:31 PM, Steve Litt wrote:


>>
>> IMHO I hate to see it happening, or admit it, but it is a dying hobby
>> that is nowhere near what form it was back even 30 years ago on so
>> many levels.  Ham radio will be on life support within a decade or
>> two, IMHO:
>>
>> "Average age of licensed Hams is approaching 60 years as these trends
>> in License Counts and Remaining Life continue. These trends lead me
>> to believe our hobby of Amateur Radio will suffer from severe
>> problems unless there is a major change in our ability to recruit,
>> educate, license and sustain activity of new young Hams."
>>
>> http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/LICENSE.html
>
> Gil,
>
> That's a very persuasive argument. So persuasive, in fact, that I'm  
> changing
> my mind. In an EMP or 500% deflation scenario, the one thing that  
> scares me
> more than nobody knowing code is nobody transmitting at all,  
> especially if
> the commercial interests have long since bribed the government into  
> "eminent
> domaining" the remaining amateur frequencies.
>
> SteveT


Steve (and everyone else on list),

If you haven't yet, get your license! The study book is about $25:

http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=9639


And/or you can take practice tests here:

http://www.qrz.com/testing.html

Technicians is not too hard to get if you are technically minded.

I'm ordering the general manual soon after the holidays.

Gil