This just in from the Hamsexy newsticker – the rumors are true, Morse Code is going bye bye for American amateurs. This is all posted in a news release from the FCC. Obviously, this news has spread across the world of amateur radio like wildfire, as code/no-code debates are among the most venomous and most annoying debates on any ham radio forum.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-269012A1.pdf
FCC MODIFIES AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE RULES, ELIMINATING MORSE CODE EXAM REQUIREMENTS AND ADDRESSING ARRL PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (Order) that modifies the rules for the Amateur Radio Service by revising the examination requirements for obtaining a General Class or Amateur Extra Class amateur radio operator license and revising the operating privileges for Technician Class licensees. In addition, the Order resolves a petition filed by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (ARRL) for partial reconsideration of an FCC Order on amateur service rules released on October 10, 2006.
“Finally, today’s Order resolved a petition filed by the ARRL for partial reconsideration of
an FCC Order released on October 10, 2006 (FCC 06-149). In this Order, the FCC authorized amateur stations to transmit voice communications on additional frequencies in certain amateur service bands, including the 75 meter (m) band, which is authorized only for certain wideband voice and image communications. The ARRL argued that the 75 m band should not have been expanded below 3635 kHz, in order to protect automatically controlled digital stations operating in the 3620-3635 kHz portion of the 80 m band. The FCC concluded that these stations can be protected by providing alternate spectrum in the 3585-3600 kHz frequency segment. Action by the Commission on December 15, 2006, by Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration.
FINALLY. It has been evident for a long time that knowledge of morse code is a completely invalid indication of one’s on-air competency. The most belligerent, foul-mouthed assholes on the air (who can’t even put together a wire dipole) are 20 WPM extras.
Next thing they need to eliminate are all the limitations on HF digital modes. The 300 baud limit, for one, is a relic from the past that is really hurting innovation.
Next exam session, I’ll be upgrading.
About friggin time!!!
“Am I trippin’ Joel?”
Wow, I wondered when they were going to do that…
So, what does this mean? The ‘four bands’ for the former Tech Plus licenses in the HF band are open to ‘no coder’ Techs now?
I am excited…now i can put out the dipole and stretch my legs…
Wondered if I would ever see the day. I’m sure it will be a good thing.
Yay
I will be the FIRST no-code EXTRA!!!
Wow! Good Deal! I look forward to hearing some new operators on HF!
I think its F*ckin crap, but that is just me!
I think overall it’s good for the hobby to get rid of the morse code requirement but at the same time I think they should have kept it for the Extra class license.
The way I view it is that morse code is just another mode, so why should I have to take a test on one specific mode? If CW was kept around then they really should add a test for every single mode out there. PSK31, SSTV, etc etc. It’s not good just to single out one mode. If you want to use CW learn it and use it. I know
I will be taking advantage of the FCC dropping the morse code requirement but at the same time I will continue on learning code because I feel that it is a good mode to atleast know for the most part.
Laura, I do think it is kinda crap, but I agree with FSH on that they should not have a test on one mode, but they should retain it for extra. I do know however, that it won’t be CB for quite a while. The people I hear cussing, yes a few repeaters in SoCal have it, but I have been hearing it more on HF with people who had to learn the code, than no-code techs. Learning code does not make you any more compitint at operating.
Just my 599 dollars and 73 cents
i agree that it should have stayed for the extra class, however, i still feel its going to be CB before we know it. People are just becoming lazy i think it, however, like i said, this is all just what i think. agree with me, dont agree with me, i dont care, its just how i feel.
I don’t know.. I hear a lot of profanity and CB-type behavior on HF already…. it doesn’t sound like they have much to protect.
the OF’s on 75/80m ssb who are the so called elite hams, the 20 wpm extras are worse than you hear on 11m
“the OF’s on 75/80m ssb who are the so called elite hams, the 20 wpm extras are worse than you hear on 11m”
Well, not really worse, but comparable and nonetheless unacceptable.
Our 2 meter repeaters are far more civilized than some of the HF bands.
I think we will do just fine with the new ruling. Heck, there might even be someone to talk to on bands beside 2m, 20m and 75/80m.
This may ‘save’ 75m by getting some of the NCTs that know the proper ITU phonics, proper language, etc. on the air. Maybe I’ll see if W7NCE (no code extra) is available.
73 and Merry Partydays.
-Joe
So how long till some of get s on the voice segment and starts jamming using CW?
N3JFW,
That’s what notch filters are for. 🙂
In a way this kinda bums me out. I, a 13yr NCT was just getting on 6m SSB with my new FT-857. Hit 6 land from NW Washington State the other day too. Playing with SSB on the “FM Bands” is fun. I hope I don’t get too caught-up with HF and forget V/UHF.
Now I’ll have to get my extra and stretch out the ATAS-120 and try to get Seth on a QSO.
73, Joe
Yeah, now I have to get off my ass and get an hf antenna for the Durango.
Screw it, only 8k miles left on the warranty anyways.
W7COM,
Go take your General, it’s not that much harder than the Tech test. You should be able to work my station in Michigan on 20 using 100 watts into a dipole up about 35 feet. I get into Washington and Oregon with 100 watts into a bazooka up less than 35 feet. My preference is the inverted V configuration.
That of course is using SSB. You should get the same performance using CW and be able to cut the power back considerably.
I have worked the world at the bottom of the cycle with 100 watts into my home made antennas.
Come on in, the water’s fine. If you were enjoying learning Morse Code, don’t stop now. You can still get certified by the ARRL if the FCC stops offering Element 1 testing. (Yes, the requirement is gone in the US, but not other countries.)
I think your call sign is cool now. Better than ‘NCE’ which only means something to a minute part of a percent of people. Everyone can relate COM to a radio operator.
73
Mark K8MHZ / AE
Element 1 Extra
As expected, on the “real” amateur radio sites, the old curmudgeons are already proclaiming the end of ham radio. Using such brilliant intros as “Breaker breaker 19” they relegate the ham bands to become another CB band.
WELL, F^^K them!
I am studying for my General ticket, and if they don’t want to deal with a no-code general, they can stay off my freq!!!!!!!!!!!
Jerry, KC0URP
I’m a die-hard CW fan. But that’s just me. I operate other modes, used to build repeaters when it was challenging, even have some hardware on the OSCAR satellites. But CW was my first love and still is.
I will welcome all new hams into the community with open arms. You only operate SSB? Great, I’ll move up in frequency and plug in the microphone and we’ll have a talk.
We’re all brothers and sisters here.
Now about those comments that 75 meters sounds like CB. I’ve been in and about ham radio for 40 years and that mess on 75 meters has always been there. Dirty jokes, cussin’, that sort of stuff. Now, I was never a user of CB – it wasn’t a “thing” when I got my ticket, and it showed up like a fad and seemed to blow away, leaving just “freebanders”. So, I just assumed that when someone said “75 meters sounds just like CB” that it was true.
It’s not true. While I deplore some of what’s up on 75 meters, it’s not CB. A few months ago, I tuned my HF rig over to what is Channel 19. I heard stuff on there that I’ve NEVER heard in 40 years on 75 meters. Guys puffing out their chests and saying “y’all come on over here and git yo’seff a whiff of my .357!”. And, right here on Hamsexy, there’ve been two newspaper articles pointed out about CBers who got into it and one got killed.
I switched back to the ham bands that night.
I was visiting a family friend halfway across the country a few months later, and he had a CB rig. I switched it on for an evening listen. Different part of the country, different people, but the same threats and over-the-top behavior. What goes on with 75 meters is nothin’ but cussin’ – what goes on with CB is way worse.
No, 75 meters is not the same as CB. It’s bad enough but it’s not the same.
Will ham radio become like CB? I doubt it. Maybe in some selected spots it might, but you will always be able to tune past them.
This is the most important story you’ve ever published so you chose to NOT give it a headline.
The irony of ham radio is that hams are comically inept at communicating.
The irony about self-righteous non-hams is that they can’t see what is plainly in front of their eyes.
Thanks for coming out!
GUHHHHHHHH!!!
Hi ‘m Rocketeer, and i’m a fucking idiot!!
The title is in morse code, fwiw.
I never took a CW test and I can still read it.
Never will take a CW test, about time!
K8MHZ:
Thanks for the words and I’ll try to raise you once I get my extra in about 80 days. Being an old broadcast engineer I don’t think it will be too hard 😉
And yeah, I’ll keep W7COM… too much trouble to change all my logins and license plates. Once the winds and rain dies down I’m stringing a dipole. In the mean time I’ll try to get the IRLP station put back together. It’s been down since I’ve moved.
73 to all my HamSexy friends,
Joe
Pingback: Words That Set Off Spam Filters