karn (03/11/83)
In response to Chris and Bob's comments, which were essentially "if I can do it, then you should too": The issue is not the absolute degree of difficulty of passing the code test. The real issue is whether even the small (although I might dispute that) amount of work required to learn the code is worth it, when compared to the other things (such as theory) one might be learning during the same time. I learned the code and got my ticket when I was in high school; if I had waited until I had gone on to college when I had far less free time, I might never have become a ham. Getting started was so time consuming that I can very well understand why many others refuse to learn the code. Amateur radio has often been called a "fraternity". That description is more than a metaphor, as the code test is our very own version of hazing. I fought against hazing in my college fraternity, both before and after I joined, and I'm fighting against it in amateur radio now. If you want to put up some kind of "test of character" to make sure only dedicated people enter, fine. Just make it a worthwhile exercise such as increasing their technical skills, not one which to a newcomer makes no sense. Phil Karn, KA9Q/2