No Morse Code Required for Ham Licenses

[jeffery_1965]

Yup, that's correct as of Feb 23rd 2007. http://www.nocode.org/

So if you've ever had an interest, but were turned off by the morse code portion of the testing, now's the time to jump in with both feet. Visit the ARRL website, http://www.arrl.org/ for information on study material, exams, etc.

There are multiple sites that can help you with practice tests, so you can see how you might do before even going to a testing session. Here's a link to one of them: http://www.qrz.com/testing.html

Hope to see more Hams in Toyota's! Just think of the disaster relief help we can provide to the community through our local 4x4 organizations and their capabilities.

73's

Jeff

N7RYP

[rusty_tlc]

Already on it N7RYP.

A bunch of guys from our club are taking our test on Thursday. We went to a class offered by the local school district. It included the ARRL study guide, as well class room instruction. The instructor arranged for the testing.

[Happy Trails]

Finally! Count me in and thank you for the link,

[yuurei]

A couple of things to remember for taking the test:

If you have a "FRN" from the FCC you must use this instead of your Social Secuirty Number. Otherwise the FCC will reject your license application. ARRL will reapply once you correct it, but it slows things down (and as busy as ARRL is right now, kind of irritates them also).

The VE's assume everyone testing for Technician has never done anything with the FCC (probably true 95% of the time) - so they won't necessarily ask if you have a FRN.

What is a FRN? If you've ever done anything with the FCC and licensing you will have a FRN. In my case I got one when I applied for my GMRS license.

Also, the VE's will tell you it takes about a week for your name to appear in the FCC database. (You can't transmit until your name appears in this database). But again, with ARRL as busy as they are, it takes more like 2 to 3 weeks.

KI6IOR - Technician for one day now!

[jonb96150]

I upgraded from tech to general the day after the morse requirement was dropped. I finally have all my pieces together and will attempt my first h.f. transmission today. I'm really looking forward to using h.f. out in the back-country where 2m can't hit repeaters.

[jbub3]

Just took my tech and passed this weekend. Can't wait to get the radio installed.

[K7640A]

Originally Posted by jonb96150

I upgraded from tech to general the day after the morse requirement was dropped. I finally have all my pieces together and will attempt my first h.f. transmission today. I'm really looking forward to using h.f. out in the back-country where 2m can't hit repeaters.

This is new news to me. I was licensed no code tech in 92. If memory serves, the CW test must be passed for higher class. That was why I never upgraded. Left US in 93 so naturally no more updates.

[Happy Trails]

Originally Posted by jonb96150

I upgraded from tech to general the day after the morse requirement was dropped. I finally have all my pieces together and will attempt my first h.f. transmission today. I'm really looking forward to using h.f. out in the back-country where 2m can't hit repeaters.

Sounds great! I want to get my general as well and have my equipment
safely stored/packed to take with me up in the high sierra and just see how
far I can get out. I need to start studying and looking for a portable generator.

[Capt. Jim]

Originally Posted by Happy Trails

Sounds great! I want to get my general as well and have my equipment
safely stored/packed to take with me up in the high sierra and just see how
far I can get out. I need to start studying and looking for a portable generator.

You won't necessarily need a generator. Most HF rigs today are 12 volt, and you can connect to your vehicle battery. I have talked all over the world wih my Yaesu FT 890AT, both in my truck and aboard my boat. Good Luck

Jim KD4CNK

[Foreigner]

I got my Tech+code back in '94 or so. A few years later I tried for General (I was sick of my HF limitations), passed the written, but couldn't get code over 10wpm. . .There were rumors then that code would get dropped, but of course, not in time to do me any good. . .I guess it's time to get the ol' brain lubed up and start studying again. I've been out of the radio loop for a while, so I appreciate the heads up.

[LandCruisers4Life]

Having to do Morse Code in my opinion was ridiculous to begin with. Nobody does Morse Code, and if they needed to, you can just get a copy of it and figure out what you wanted to send, and then send it while looking at your note.

It's about time they got rid of MC.

I'm going to be looking at getting my HAM license as well now. I also have the Icom V8000 in my sights for my first HAM radio.

[Cruiserdrew]

Originally Posted by Foreigner

I got my Tech+code back in '94 or so. A few years later I tried for General (I was sick of my HF limitations), passed the written, but couldn't get code over 10wpm. . .There were rumors then that code would get dropped, but of course, not in time to do me any good. . .I guess it's time to get the ol' brain lubed up and start studying again. I've been out of the radio loop for a while, so I appreciate the heads up.

Do it. I studied for the General exam using only Hamtestonline and passed with 100% on the first try. I don't even have an HF radio, but I hope to get one at some point.

I think Morse is cool in an old school sort of way, but I'm glad to not have to be proficient.

KI6CXS now KI6MIE

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

Having to do Morse Code in my opinion was ridiculous to begin with. Nobody does Morse Code, and if they needed to, you can just get a copy of it and figure out what you wanted to send, and then send it while looking at your note.

It's about time they got rid of MC.

I'm going to be looking at getting my HAM license as well now. I also have the Icom V8000 in my sights for my first HAM radio.

So how do you know "nobody" does Morse. I just spun the dial on my HF rig and heard at least 25 QSO's and that was only on 40.

Granted the mode is dated but there are people who happen to LIKE Morse code.

Some can speak Spanish, some can send and receive Morse.

Oh and when the band is down and conditions are bad those that know Morse will get through.

In a disater go on and depend on your cell phone, I'll have my Vibroplex and will rely on my self contained means of world wide communication.

[Kofoed]

All my dang theory credit expired years ago because I didn't want to do code....

[dfmorse]

My G-G-uncle was SFBMorse. I sill send/rcv at around 10wpm; but its been years since I've really done anything on CW. SSB is to easy.

Being on CW is a real kick. Myself and others I have worked with could copy/rcv 20+ wpm and listen/talk to a personal conversation at the same time. Real art.

I plan on getting back into CW soon. I have a distinctive hand and a new 1934 Viborvlex bug.

k0dar
David in Denver

...

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by dfmorse

My G-G-uncle was SFBMorse. I sill send/rcv at around 10wpm; but its been years since I've really done anything on CW. SSB is to easy.

Being on CW is a real kick. Myself and others I have worked with could copy/rcv 20+ wpm and listen/talk to a personal conversation at the same time. Real art.

I plan on getting back into CW soon. I have a distinctive hand and a new 1934 Viborvlex bug.

k0dar
David in Denver

...

Fantastic, Mister Morse. Very nice to hear from you. Hope to hear you on the band some day.

73, de N6KML

[Beowulf]

"Nobody does Morse code."



-B-

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

"Nobody does Morse code."



-B-

That was classic. I knew the Morse guys would blow them away. Like my 18 year old would say. "Like dah dad."

[pismojim]

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

Nobody does Morse Code

... -- --- -.- .
... .. --. -. .- .-.. ...
-- .- -.-- -... .
-... ..- -
-- --- .-. ... .
-.-. --- -.. .

-. --- -
- .-. ..- .

-. --- .--
.-- .... . .-. .
.- .-. .
-- -.--
... . -- .. ..-. --- .-. .
..-. .-.. .- --. ... ?




Check out this Text Message versus Morse Code video

[Kofoed]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

"Nobody does Morse code."



-B-

You can probably change horse shoe faster than a tire, but I'd rather drive

[Beowulf]

I don't know Morse code and probably will never devote the time to learn it. I admire those that have learned it and recognize that there are uses for Morse code but I have concluded that the hobby should move forward and devote brain power of new hams to advanced technologies.

I want to get my APRS set up working. I want to learn IRLP and some things like these.

-B-

[groucho]

I hope that someday we will all get along and realize that not one soul on this planet has to use Morse Code. OK, maybe some still in the military have to be able to for their job, but Amateur Radio Operators do not. Over 80% of the Amateur bands offer sections that allow for some if not all of the other 7 or so types of transmission(CW, RTTY, Phone, Data, MCW, SSB, Image...).

The hobby is and always has been the breeding grounds for the strange and unusual forms of invention that now fill our everyday life. Just consider the similarities between the binary language of computers an the binary language of morse code. One uses 1's and 0's, the other a long and short section of transmitted carrier/sound. Morse code as a hobby itself may not be that interesting, but neither may be using binary code as a means for communication. But they both have played vital roles in where we all are now.

Morse code is not required anymore. That doesn't mean it doesn't deserve any merit. It is amazing, however. My grandfather(now silent key ex-WØDW) during the latter years of his life had a lot of difficulty hearing anyone who spoke to him. It was very frustration for everyone, to say the least. We made a discovery one Thanksgiving while listening to CW before dinner. Grandpa, who had been regulalry proficient at 30 WPM, was telling my father and I exactly what the other operators were saying in CW even before we could. The Morse code sound was as clear as day to him, and it made him feel like he could be involved in conversations again. Now that's merit.

Do CW if you want. Don't do it. It's always been up to the individual. Either way, I'll see you down the log...73

[LandCruisers4Life]

Originally Posted by FJ40_owner

So how do you know "nobody" does Morse. I just spun the dial on my HF rig and heard at least 25 QSO's and that was only on 40.

Granted the mode is dated but there are people who happen to LIKE Morse code.

Some can speak Spanish, some can send and receive Morse.

Oh and when the band is down and conditions are bad those that know Morse will get through.

In a disater go on and depend on your cell phone, I'll have my Vibroplex and will rely on my self contained means of world wide communication.

Give me paper, pen and a copy of the morse code, and I can receive and send morse. Big deal, the code is even on walkie talkies and anyone can use it in an emergency. If you like dotting and dashing, more power to you.

[groucho]

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

Give me paper, pen and a copy of the morse code, and I can receive and send morse.

It sure would be fun to see that. 5WPM isn't very fast when you consider it, but without any previous knowledge of the code, there isn't enogh time to try to match up what was heard with somehting on paper.

PismoJim, maybe LandCruisers4Life wants to try your semafore flags? Smoke?

Do what makes you enjoy the hobby. 73 & 88.

[Beowulf]

Originally Posted by Kofoed

You can probably change horse shoe faster than a tire, but I'd rather drive

You may not have noticed that what I posted was a link. Click the link.

-B-

[Kofoed]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

You may not have noticed that what I posted was a link. Click the link.

-B-

I did. Call me when you get out of the Blacksmith shop. Or via PSK31, AFSK, Packet, Echo Link, D-link, or IRLP.

[edit] I am being sarcastic. The technology today renders code a bit out of date. Sextant/chronograph or GPS?