Operating a station wasn't as hard as you might think.  A 100khz
callibrator together with knowing the number of khz per rotation of
the tuning knob were good enough to get within a khz or so.  The
biggest challenge was tuning up the transmitter.  Putting an audio
oscillator across the meter was necessary.  I still use this method
to tune my linear amplifier.

The advantage of the code test was that it kept all but the most
dedicated potential ham from getting a license.  The beginning of the
end was replacing the requirement of one minute of continuous
errorfree copy with a multiple choice test.  I have an acquaintance
who passed the 20 wpm extra class requirement and yet couldn't carry
on a QSO with me at 5 WPM.  I think the decline in the number of
licensees was at the root of the change, not the decline in the
commercial use of CW.  The ARRL was afraid the service would die out
all together if more licensees weren't found.  Easing the
requirements helped in that regard, but the quality of licensee
declined.  This is not to say that every no code licensee is a poor
operator, because I know that isn't the case.  I do believe the
average competency dropped significantly though.

73,

Dave, AF6Y formerly WA6QND, K7BNA, and KL7CAJ

At 03:30 PM 7/17/2005, you wrote:

>Hi all, I am a modern amateur radio operator, but would like to throw in a
>few comments about this.
>         My uncle out in Hillsboro, Oregon used to be an amateur
> radio operator.  He
>put together a Heath Kit and had a separate transmitter and receiver.  The
>code-free technician license came out in 1991.  However, I got licensed in
>1993.
>         As for the reason for the code-free technician license, I think it is
>because Morse Code is kind of a thing of the past.  I have been told that
>even the coast guard and military do not use it.  These days, transportation
>services are using computer-based communications instead of 2-way radio
>technology.  People still can do CW.  It's just that the code requirements
>are less strict.
>         I can understand about the code-free technician
> license.  However, I am
>glad to have technology such as the talking frequency reader and digital
>keypad entry.  This makes it really easy to know what frequency I am on.
>Because I am completely without vision, I don't think I could operate a
>separate transmitter and receiver set-up.  That's just my $.02 worth.
>Thanks.
>
>Eric
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Blind-Hams For blind ham radio operators
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Reeva Parry
>Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 11:21 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Reflections On The Past Forty-Four Years In Ham Radio #1
>
>
>Hi, Y'all!
>
>I rarely write to this list, but when I do, I usually have something
>momentous to say. So, sit back with your favorite beverage, and I'll get to
>it.
>
>I've been a ham now for forty-four years, operating 99% CW on the HF bands.
>During the past forty-four years, I've seen ham radio go down the tubes, so
>to speak. I remember my first QSO on 40 meters with Dave, K4SUE, and how
>nervous I was! This was back during the time when you had to be
>crystal-controlled and had one year, no renewal, to upgrade to either
>Technician Class license or General Class license. Hamming was so much fun
>back then, because one never knew just who they'd end up talking to or
>making lifelong friends with! I had CW romances that would make one's ears
>burn! I participated in contests, just to see what I could work in
>twenty-four hours from my bedroom at home! I met both of my spouses through
>ham radio, and the last one passed away in 2001.
>
>I'll continue my memories in the next message you see from me.
>
>88's and 33's where appropriate,
>Reeva Parry,
>AMATEUR RADIO CALL SIGN:  K8DMU!
>
>
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>
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