I think it is a sorry state, where FCC feels Morse Code isn't needed any longer. Frankly I don't think the FCC is all that technical an agency any longer. Many of their frequently-changing commissioners - seem to be non-technical "kids", or political appointees. I'm sure the US Government budget treats them poorly, compared to the "homeland security" and DOD agencies.
I'm sure they have their complement of career staffers - many of whom may be technical. But the commissioners seem to frequently disagree with the ARRL, and they do things in opposite directions of what common technical sense would indicate. They don't even agree with the IEEE - the electrical engineering society, on some technical issues. Digital over power lines is one example! I think the Blackberry digital phone message contest of a Blackberry handheld vs 2 Morse operators - sort of told it all. Morse Code won, handily! Keyboarding cell phones lost. (Re: Jany Leno Tonight Show - 2006) Looks like the World Amateur Ham community will be the ones keeping CW alive - in the near term. Or spy agencies worldwide. Fred FL __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
