Chaos Magnet

Goodbye Morse Code

Sure, just when I get my General Amateur Radio (ham) license, the ITU drops the Morse Code requirement. I'm kinda torn on this one. I like the fact that you have to work for the HF privileges, which let you talk internationally. Anybody can memorize test answers, but the code, well, that requires some skill. I'm not an elitist, I just think that people appreciate it more and take it more seriously this way. Apparently, though, code is moving online, just as long distance conversation is moving online.

Unfortunately, I think sometimes that Ham Radio is dying. It's hard to get people interested in the fun of making/getting a radio that will talk to people around the world when all they have to do is log on and send an email. It's too bad.