All ham licenses no longer require Morse code
 

The FCC deleted the Morse code requirement from all classes of amateur radio (ham) licenses. So all you need pass are written multiple choice queation tests, on electrical theory, and radio rules and regulations.

I mention this because one of the transmission modes we are allowed to do, up in our 440MHz UHF ham band and higher, is television! It would have to be in a 2 way communications mode, as ham radio is meant as a 2 way radio service. I send to you my video and audio as I talk for a while, then I stop transmitting, and turn on my receive set up and listen and watch your reply. And nothing says we can't do NTSC after the big boys shut down...

We also can do slow scan TV on some of our shortwave bands as well.

See http://www.arrl.org/ for more info

No more code
 

It is amazing how one part of the FCC can take so long to realize the current state of Ham radio possibilites, while the section on digital TV looks like they are after a large frequency aucton which can't happen until they stop analog NTSC. Almost no one noticed when UHF channels 70 to 83 went away and cell phone and other services came on line. Even today when someone sees one of my older sets and ask's why their new TV doesn't receive those channels. All in all a good thing, with cell phones now becoming throw aways and I believe you can not enter seventh grade unless you have a state of the art mobile phone that weighs less than 3 ounces. Oh yeah, and a scientific calculator.
Ranting Richard.:sigh:

Maybe I'll get my ham ticket...I was always WAY too stupid to learn code..

I'm not an amateur and some hams even rub me the wrong way but I think eliminating the morse code requirement is wrong. In the event of large disasters, perhaps larger than we have already seen, truely long distance communication could be quickly established using whatever kind of transmitter you could "ham" together and do CW, morse code. This may sound science-fictionish but this is the reason it was always there. Next thing you know they'll be creating special "no-license" bands!

??????????? haven't you heard of CB??????????

Hey! I still have a CB in my truck!

I hope no one takes offense, I offered none... In my area they can be quite a free for all. With the advent of widespread cell coverage, their essential nature has been diluted somewhat.

It's just the out of band "cowboys", who splatter over several channels BEFORE hooking up their linears don't garner my respect.

I tuned up MY unit with a dummy load and a spectrum analyzer.

I've had K40 mag mount scars on several of my cars.

Make no mistake about the fact that this new no code requirement is quite the controversy in the ham circles and unfortunately any new ham entering the ranks are bound to be looked down upon by many of the existing ham population.

I've been a ham for quite a few years but never real active in it. I've met some wonderful friendly hams but more then my share of crusty old reactionary no-it-all types also. So entering this hobby may require a thick skin or staying with other new comers to the hobby.

Don't expect the same greetings and treatment that is given here on AK :thmbsp:

Lefty

I've had my license since '01...all of my stuff is mobile as I live in an apartment with no balcony or room for HF antennas.

Luckily the group of locals that I'm affiliated with is very open and understanding about new and younger hams, I've definitely heard some 'choice people' on some of the 2 meter repeaters in the area...

Going to be sitting for the General next month, maybe even take the Extra although some of that theory is kicking my ass - who the hell knows how to calculate complex impedances using imaginary numbers...:D

~ Jim
KG4NEL

.---- ..-. --- .-. - .... . .--. --- ... - -.-. --- ..- -. -

.. -.- -. --- .-- - .... .- - - .-. .. -.-. -.- - --- ---

:thmbsp:

I'm sure. I have a 1st class Radiotelephone License and a vast majority of amatures look down upon that... :dunno:

Code
 

As being a Ham radio guy with a general licence for the last 30 years I too looked down at the no code licences offered in the last ten years or so, saying that I can't help but notice that the Miami Hamboree held every year has been in steady decline, the attendees were getting older and it seemed that every year it was always the same equipment changing hands. Even when the powers that be called it The Miami Hamboree & computer show attendance still dwindled. This year, guess what, it was canceled so they could look for others dates. Perhaps the no code rule will bring younger folks into Ham radio and spark new minds.
Richard, K4QGS

While I don't have a position one way or the other regarding the elimination of CW proficiency (don't know the issues)...

I do know a high-point in my 14-year-old 'Ham' life was my first CW QSO. Amazing what a geek with a home-brew 40-meter transmitter running a 6V6 in the final found exciting (ditto a dozen years later with a home-brew flying-spot scanner driving a push-pull acorn-tube oscillator on 440-MHz HamTV).

Audiokarma.org net on 20 meters?

;)