Well, April 1st isn't technically over yet, so I figured I still had time.
I almost wish it were true though.
I can think of some people who got licenses, and have since turned in to
afflictions of their respective ham clubs.
Ray, you know who I'm talking about.
Amanda J.

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Miller
Sent: Saturday, April 01, 2006 8:42 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FCC Morse code announcement


lol that makes it official, half the lists I'm on have seen an April
Fools thing now.

At 08:33 PM 04/01/2006, you wrote:
>International Press, Washington, DC.
>
>
>
>Today, in an unprecedented move, the Federal Communications Commission
>issued an emergency reinstatement of Morse code requirements for all
amateur
>and commercial radio licenses.  In addition, the amateur radio license
>structure has been reverted to 1985 standards.  All codeless amateur and
>commercial licenses have been placed on a "conditional 30 day temporary
>permit" and all such license holders will have to pass an appropriate Morse
>code test by May 1, 2006 or face permanent revocation of their  licenses.
>
>
>
>All American registered commercial vessels are now required to have a
>crewman onboard that can copy Morse code at 13 WPM or they will be denied
>port clearance.  A temporary provision has been made in the FCC regulations
>that will allow amateur radio operators that completed FCC administered
>Morse code tests prior to the implementation of the VEC program to meet
this
>requirement.  This generated such a demand for licensed amateur radio
>operators that the pay scale quickly escalated to $1000 per day for  such
>services.  In a bidding war, many major shipping companies have provided
>generous expense accounts,  luxury accommodations on vessels, sponsorship
of
>DX-peditions and immediate long term pension benefits.
>
>
>
>In a related issue, this action has caused a significant shortage of Morse
>code keys, and surplus military J-38 keys that sold for a dollar each after
>WW II are now fetching upwards of $300 each on ebay, regardless of
>condition.