From ARRL:
End of an Era: FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes
NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 15, 2006 — In an historic move, the FCC has acted to drop the Morse code requirement for all Amateur Radio license classes. The Commission adopted, but hasn’t yet released, the long-awaited Report and Order (R&O) in WT Docket 05-235, the “Morse code” proceeding. The FCC also has adopted an Order on Reconsideration in WT Docket 04-140 — the “omnibus” proceeding — modifying the Amateur Radio rules in response to an ARRL request to accommodate automatically controlled narrowband digital stations on 80 meters in the wake of rule changes that became effective December 15. The Commission designated the 3585 to 3600 kHz frequency segment for such operations, although the segment will remain available for CW, RTTY and data as it has been. So far, the FCC has only issued a public notice and not the actual orders detailing the rule changes. The effective date of both orders is not yet known, but it appears likely at this point that it will be sometime in February. Currently, Amateur Radio applicants must pass a 5 WPM Morse code test to operate on HF. The FCC’s action will eliminate that requirement all around.
“This change eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden that may discourage current Amateur Radio operators from advancing their skills and participating more fully in the benefits of Amateur Radio,” the FCC said. The ARRL had asked the FCC to retain the 5 WPM for Amateur Extra class applicants only. The FCC proposed earlier to drop the requirement across the board, however, and it held to that decision.
‘..eliminates an unnecessary regulatory burden…from advancing their skills..’??? That is akin to saying firefighters no longer need to be physically fit since it prevents people from becoming one. Or saying anyone can play basketball; being able to make baskets isn’t as important anymore.
Hell yeah, I’m bitter. The test is FIVE freakin’ words per minute. That means “See Jack and Jane run.” is stretched out over a full minute. Each words come at you 12 seconds long. That’s not including spaces between words. Twelve seconds per word. Come on! Do it with me now: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand… that’s how slow it is. I know ’cause I did it. I took the Technician test then the Morse code test the same day. Passed ’em both. A month later, I took the General test and passed that too. I haven’t gotten around to studying for the Extra test due to the mathematics involved.
You want to become a scientist, you need to learn math and science. You want to be a truck driver, you gotta know how to drive a stick shift. You want to be a ham radio operator, you gotta learn Morse code.
And, after passing the Morse code test, you never have to use it. Never. You can learn it just long enough to pass the (slow) test, then forget about it. There is no requirement that you have to use it. You don’t have to even come near it ever again. Once you passed the test, you’re done with it.
Undue burden, my ass.