Thanks, as always, for your perspedctive! Danny.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2006 6:05 AM
Subject: Re: Fw: [WestMichiganHams] FCC Eliminates Morse Code Requirement
(Finally!!)


> The basic test in canada prepares as much as necesary, the holder of the
> license for HF operation.
> It used to be that you could hold a basic class license, and get your 5
word
> per minute cw requirement and operate all HF bands.
> Therefore, the test includes categories dealing with HF regulations,
> operating procedure and theory dealing with freqs below 30 MHZ.
> So, here at least, the test was not designed around learning cw, but
around
> knowing all that was necesary to operate ham radio from 1.8 all the way
up.
> This differs from the US classes of license because of the existance of
the
> tech class license.
> Here, when you take the basic, your ready to operate, and now with the
code
> no longer being manditory, its still the same as it always was, except now
> there are more operators on HF who hadn't got around to learning cw, or
who
> weren't able to.
> Also, now with the more stringent criteria, that of passing with 80
percent
> or better, it makes sure licensees do indeed have a good working knoledge
of
> all aspects of ham radio that industry canada deems necesary.
> So, in many respects, it is better now then before, since before, you
could
> pass with a 60 percent, get your 5 WPM code and get on HF, and now you
must
> demonstrate a more indepth knoledge to obtain the same result regardless
of
> the code test.
> Also, the advanced class license requirement prevents basic license
> operators from getting into issues with high power and poorly constructed
> home brew equipment.
> To repare, modify and build your own transmitting equipment below 1.2GHZ,
> and to run more then 560watts PEP, you must hold an advanced class
license.
> The advanced class license would be similar to the extra class in the US,
> but again, now, without the requirement of the code test.
>  So, i feel that with only 2 classes of license in canada, one fairly well
> rounded and with all the necesary theoretical aspects, and the next class
> very high level, it aleviates some of the issues that have been brought up
> throughout this discussion.
> And no, they're not terribly easy, but if you put your mind to it and
study,
> its quite accomplishable.
>
> I wonder if that gives enough of a perspective?
> 73
> Colin, CF6BKX