Many thanks, IARU/ARRL!

Comments on the ‘No Code Proposed for for All U.S. Classes’

Read it (click here) and weep. (K5**)

What’s to weep about? I’m sure ARRL will be thrilled by this, since this is what they’ve wanted all along. They’ve been pushing for reduced standards for as long as I can remember, aided and abetted by QCWA. But isn’t it strange: the more we drop standards, the fewer people there are on the air. I wonder why.(N6**)

Unfortunately, there are dozens of simple-minded but loudly yelled conclusions like this:

I applaud the action of the FCC in removing the requirement to pass a code test. It is both an obstacle to entering amateur radio for those with no interest in code, and an obstacle to using the code for those who have learned it just to pass a low speed test.

and even more stupid:

Code has been an artificial barrier to entry for a long time. I fought every attempt to reduce or eliminate code. In the end, the joke was on me. Reducing it didn’t hurt ham radio, and eliminating it will most likely help. Not to swell our ranks, but to bring in quality people who will advance the hobby, but have always thought ham radio was irrelevant. And those newcomers who are bright enough will recognize for themselves when Morse Code makes sense and they will use it.

Both statements above (by K5** and N6**) seems to be true. You should live in the central Europe where the no-code ‘dream’ became reality and you will understand. Bands full of local talking, endless and never answered CQ-loops at 5 WPM, unexperienced ‘no-code old timers’ pronouncing themselves as keen and savvy hams, making DX nearly impossible, countless former VHF relay freaks without any knowledge of english (you can’t ask them for QSY, they can’t understand!). And you must coexist with them!

Our beloved Ham Radio is not the same as it was before ARRL started to drop standards in introduction of 5 WPM Extras. ARRL means IARU (and vice versa) which has many member societies all over the world. They adopted very quickly their ideas ‘to save the Ham radio’ by lowering the standards, to make the way to a license very easy. They rolled out a snowball from the hill which became bigger and bigger, there is no way back. It was totally false idea that we should get more newcomers to HF by removing the ‘artificial barriers’ like Morse exam. To be able to communicate with others, we need to find a qualified person at the other end unless we’ll make local QSO with a kilowatt.

A growing number of hams now asking WHY? Why we can’t have quiet bands full of keen operators waiting to make a QSO? Why is a DX for newcomers so hard because they can’t find skilled operator in a rare country? Why the ham community degraded to a bunch of radio telephonists without any knowledge what the Ham Spirit means? Remeber the IARU Administrative Council Meeting of 6-8 October 2001 in Guatemala City:’,’

WRC-2003 Dominates Discussion at IARU Council Meeting

The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union met on 6-8 October 2001 in Guatemala City, Guatemala, following the 14th General Assembly of IARU Region 2. The principal business at the Guatemala City meeting was to continue preparations for WRC-2003, which has several items of importance to the amateur services on its agenda.

At its Guatemala City meeting the Administrative Council took the following actions:

1. The status of IARU preparations for WRC-2003 was reviewed. The agenda items of concern include harmonization of amateur and broadcasting allocations near 7 MHz, adequacy of HF broadcasting allocations below 10 MHz, possible revision of Article S25 of the international Radio Regulations, changes to terms and definitions in Article S1 as a result of amendments to Article S25, review of provisions concerning the formation of amateur call signs in Article S19, additional allocations for Little LEO satellites, study of a possible allocation to the earth exploration-satellite service for synthetic aperture radars (SARs) near 435 MHz, and possible identification of globally harmonized frequency bands for use by agencies and organizations dealing with public protection (such as police) and disaster relief. IARU objectives with regard to these agenda items were affirmed.

2. The IARU Council adopted the following resolution: Considering the approval without opposition of ITU-R Recommendation M.1544, which sets out the minimum qualifications of radio amateurs, recognizing that the Morse code continues to be an effective and efficient mode of communication used by many thousands of radio amateurs, but further recognizing that the position of Morse as a qualifying criterion for an HF amateur license is no longer relevant to the healthy future of amateur radio, resolves that member societies are urged to seek, as an interim measure, Morse code testing speeds not exceeding five words per minute; setting aside any previous relevant decisions, IARU policy is to support the removal of Morse code testing as an ITU requirement for an amateur license to operate on frequencies below 30 MHz.

3. The ITU meetings at which IARU representation will be required for the coming year were identified, and the recommendations of the President and International Secretariat with regard to representatives to attend these meetings were reviewed.

4. The present and anticipated future requirements for radio spectrum allocations to the amateur and amateur-satellite services were reviewed, updated and approved.

5. The budget for 2002-2004 was adopted as submitted by the International Secretariat. The budget includes provision for financial contributions from the three regional organizations to defray a portion of the expenses.

6. The theme for World Amateur Radio Day, 18 April 2002, was selected as “Amateur Radio: Continuing Innovation in Communication Technology.”

7. Preparations for IARU participation in upcoming ITU regional and world TELECOMs and Forums were reviewed.

8. The Council considered the ongoing discussions of reform of the ITU structure and agreed to continue to monitor these deliberations with regard to any changes affecting amateur radio.

9. The Council noted the growing popularity of the IARU HF World Championship and urged Headquarters Stations of member-societies to participate. The Council also urged the members of the regional executive committees to take part on an individual basis.

10. The Council received with thanks a report from the International Secretariat on new technologies being introduced in the amateur service and expressed appreciation for the contributions of the individuals responsible for these exciting developments.

11. Reports of IARU international coordinators and advisers were received. Retiring Beacon Project Coordinator Bob Fabry, N6EK, was thanked for his work.

12. Retiring Region 2 President Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, was applauded for his distinguished contributions to the work of the IARU and the Administrative Council during his 18 years of service as an officer of Region 2.

13. The next scheduled meeting of the Council will be held on 11-13 September 2002, in the vicinity of San Marino, immediately before the Conference of IARU Region 1.

Attending the meeting were:

IARU President Larry Price, W4RA;
Vice President David Wardlaw, VK3ADW;
Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ;

regional representatives

Ole Garpestad, LA2RR,
Tom Atkins, VE3CDM,
Rod Stafford, W6ROD,
Ron Szama, LU2AH,
Fred Johnson, ZL2AMJ,
Y. S. Park, HL1IFM;
and recording secretary Paul Rinaldo, W4RI.
E-Mail: iaru@iaru.org

Dear Sirs, IARU Officers,

do you still think your decisions are fully compatible with the Amateur’s Code by Paul. M. Segal, W9EEA? I believe the Amateur’s Code should be reminded again:

ONE

The Amateur is considerate … He never knowingly uses the air in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.

TWO

The Amateur is Loyal … He offers his loyalty, encouragement and support to his fellow radio amateurs, his local club and to the American Radio Relay League, through which amateur radio is represented.

THREE

The Amateur is Progressive … He keeps his station abreast of science. It is well built and efficient. His operating practice is above reproach.

FOUR

The Amateur is Friendly … Slow and patient sending when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, cooperation and consideration for the interests of others; these are the marks of the amateur spirit.

FIVE

The Amateur is Balanced … Radio is his hobby. He never allows it to interfere with any of the duties he owes to his home, his job, his school, or his community.

SIX

The Amateur is Patriotic … His knowledge and his station are always ready for the service of his country and his community.

No doubt, this is very controversial article which may start a huge flamewar. I bet there is a lot of guys being prepared to send me a bunch of nasty words. I ignore such attacks because such opinions (of low skilled people) are meaningless, I bet again that the majority of such opinions come from microphonists, local SSB roundtable freaks and VHF relay night owls. C’est la vie!