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VK3ZWI > IARU 03.09.00 12:56l 262 Lines 13027 Bytes #999 (999) @ WW
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Subj: IARU RIII Report #7
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WIA papers to be delivered at the IARU RIII Conference.
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Morse code, ITU-RR S25.5 and the Amateur Service
ITU RR S25.5: "Any person seeking a licence shall prove that he is able to
send correctly by hand and to receive correctly by ear texts in Morse code
signals. The administrations concerned may, however, waive this requirement
in the case of stations making use exclusively of frequencies above 30 MHz."
This paper examines the origins of Morse code proficiency tests for radio
amateurs, the changes it has undergone, and the growing movement towards
ending it as a mandatory licence requirement.
The origins:
When amateur wireless experimenters began generating Hertzian waves in the
late 1800's the only means of transmission was Morse code telegraphy.
Wireless in all of its initial applications used Morse code as the signalling
method.
The wireless technology of the day and the spectrum used gave rise to concerns
that radio amateurs may cause interference to naval or other maritime wireless
users. Sea transport was also at the time the only means of communication and
trade between nations separated by oceans.
Soon we had a requirement for the experimenters to demonstrate their
proficiency in Morse code telegraphy so as to allay the concerns others using
the radio spectrum. The valid thought was that experimenters needed to be able
to copy other transmissions, and receive signals directing that they clear the
frequency, or stop transmitting.
The Morse code also provided a common language that enabled all individuals
and radio services to intercommunicate, no matter what their nationality.
Licensing for the Amateur Service initially required five-words-per-minute
telegraphy proficiency, but was soon increased, and became part of the
international convention requiring signatory nations to examine prospective
radio amateurs to on their code proficiency.
Modulation, and World War II.
The era of Morse code as the only means of signalling ended with the
development of the microphone and the modulation of radio signals. This
occurred around the time when radio broadcasting began in the 1920s, and
radio amateurs were spanning oceans on shortwave.
Morse code remained an amateur licence requirement. Due to its widespread use
in communications of the day that it was logical for it continue to be a
"necessary qualification" for the operation of an amateur station.
The outbreak of World War II saw many radio amateurs play key roles for their
nations in the area of telegraphy and general wireless training, and
development of radar and other technologies.
VHF and no-code licensing:
A major change to Amateur Radio occurred when some countries introduced a
no-code licence for operation in the VHF and higher bands. The Morse code
requirement has been modified a number of times by the ITU.
In 1947 it agreed that it should only be required for amateur licensing on
frequencies below 1 GHz, at WARC-59 it was dropped to 144 MHz, and WARC-79
further reduced it to 30 MHz.
In the immediate post-war era the Amateur Service experienced growth mainly
due to returned service personnel with war service Morse code skills,
including pre-war radio amateurs, becoming active radio amateurs.
This influx began to wane, and so a number of countries introduced a no-code
VHF or "Limited" licence (Australia in 1954) to attract those interested in
pursuing Amateur Radio, or who already possessed knowledge gained through
their employment or training as technicians.
Another major change in the Australian experience was the lowering in about
1968 of the Morse code licence test speed from 14 to 10 wpm.
Novice licensing.
In 1976 (circa) Australia also added to its Unrestricted, and Limited
licences, a third grade, the Novice, with a 5 wpm code proficiency.
This was in response to a then well-established illegal Citizens Band
operation. The Postmaster Generals Department (PMG) radio administration had
denied WIA requests for the introduction of a Novice licence.
The PMG did introduce the Novice licence believing it would be attractive to
illegal CBers and enable it to bring the spectrum anarchy under control.
In a fairly short time it reluctantly accepted that it had to legalise CB
radio. Again, the Australian experience in the late 1970s and 80s was a strong
migration of CB operators who became radio amateurs.
The WIA estimates that the majority of Novice licensees do upgrade their
qualifications, and the Novice licence has been, and continues to be an
extremely valuable stepping stone or entry point into the hobby.
Intermediate licensing:
In 1995 the holders of both Limited and Novice licences were recognised
through the creation of an Intermediate licensee. It has the highest level of
theory knowledge examination (same as the Unrestricted licence), plus a 5 wpm
Morse code test.
Earlier a Combined Limited and Novice licence was established with a single
callsign, and single licence fee, purely on the grounds of financial equity
and fairness. It did not change the operating privileges.
However, the Intermediate licence gave licensees privileges of full
transmitting power and all modes on the entire 80, 15 and 10 metre bands (the
Combined licence restricted holders to Novice sub-bands and power limits).
The no-code Limited licensees were also given 29 MHz FM privileges.
The WIA in early 2000 successfully submitted to the Australian Communications
Authority that the Intermediate licence be given full HF band access.
It did so in recognition of the global trend towards adopting an interim 5 wpm
code licence requirement, and the reduced emphasis on Morse code among the
latest generation of radio amateurs in Australia.
The WIA also recognised that Morse code is part of Amateur Radio's heritage,
and its policy is to maintain CW sub-bands in its band planning, and encourage
and support the use of CW by those wishing to do so.
The WIA Federal Convention in April this year adopted a new policy that it
supported the IARU Administration Council recommendation that the ITU Radio
Regulations be revised and as a result there no longer Morse code proficiency
no longer be a mandatory requirement for Amateur Service licensing.
Demise of CW telegraphy.
Morse code telegraphy faced its first decline in use when, in the 1960s, post
office telegraphists began sending telegrams using teleprinter machines.
So rapid was the development of technology that the teleprinter telegram era
lasted a mere decade before it was challenged by the telex machine,
international satellite based telephone calls, facsimile, and ultimately
computer based data transmission.
The introduction of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS)
in February 1999 saw maritme Morse code replacement by a combination of
automated VHF, MF and HF radio and satellite services.
In the first decade of the new millennium, the use of Morse code as a
mandatory Amateur licence requirement is being challenged throughout the world.
Not withstanding the move to new technologies, the A1A mode will continue to
be persued by radio amateurs for enjoyment or through financial.
Amongst the arguments in the 1980s for maintenance of the mandatory Morse code
amateur licence test were:
a Morse is a superior mode that will establish contact when a voice modulated
signal won't.
Morse is an essential skill should there be an atomic war that destroys normal
communication facilities
Morse is a major point of difference between the Amateur Service and the
Citizens Band Radio Service
In the new millennium those arguments have a lowered relevance.
The newer digital PC sound-card based modes with error correction, and digital
speech processing technology, are enhancing transmission and reception, under
poor signal conditions to the point that they are able to decode signals which
are not audible by ear.
Amateur Radio and CB radio have never been so different as they are now, and
the abolition of Morse code as a licence requirement will not make a
difference in a practical sense to the relativity of both services.
The "winds of change".
The Morse code proficiency requirements for Amateur licensing have undergone
a number of changes over the past 50 years or so.
These changes included lowering of the threshold for "no Morse" access,
introduction of no-code licensing, and Novice licensing with a 5 wpm code
proficiency requirement.
Japan, due to internal economic reasons and the desire to establish a
manufacturing base after World War II, introduced a no-code HF licence in the
early 1950s. That licence continues to be by the far the most popular in Japan.
The debate over Morse code as a licence requirement has raged throughout the
world for a number of decades. However in the past two years radio societies
and administrations are adopting 5 wpm as the standard for full HF band access.
The South African Radio League (SARL) in a submission to the South African
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority called for that country's 12 wpm code
test to be lowered to 5 wpm.
It said that this was the first step in an overhauling process, which still
permits compliance with ITU RR s25.5, a stance taken by a number of other
countries.
The SARL said, "If the Amateur Service is to remain relevant in the 21st
century it needs to embrace and encourage the development and usage newer
technologies. Clinging to Morse Code as an entry requirement will impede
rather than help this development."
The Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) commenting on the new lower code
test said it believe it "will allow greater access to the full range of
facilities that Amateur Radio has to offer, and broaden the appeal of the
hobby to a wider audience. More Amateurs will have the opportunity to
experience worldwide communications, and newcomers to the hobby will find it
possible to make contacts on a wider range of frequencies."
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the United States said lowering
its code speed to 5 wpm would "eliminate unnecessary requirements that may
discourage or limit individuals from becoming trained operators, technicians
and electronic experts".
The global trend toward 5 wpm has its foundation in a realisation that the
hobby of Amateur Radio, as it has been structured, is unable to compete with
other leisure activities including the Internet.
The maturing demographics of Amateur Radio generally suggest a continuing
decline unless new and younger people can be attracted to the hobby. This has
been reflected in Australia's 1.6% annual decline in the number of amateur
licensees.
On each occasion a radio society adopts a policy of 5 wpm, it does so by
stating it is in the long term interests of Amateur Radio, and is only an
interim measure ahead of a review of mandatory Morse code Amateur licence
tests expected at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2003.
The way ahead.
IARU member societies have, and continue to seek 5 wpm as the standard for
full HF band access, and are doing so under their charters to protect and
foster the pursuit of Amateur Radio practice.
In the very early days of wireless there was no segregation of services.
However, when all radio services gained their individual HF bands, the fear
of radio amateurs causing interference and needing to be told to stop
transmitting, ended, yet Morse code testing continued.
There are some who believe that Morse code proficiency tests should be
replaced by other examinable subjects. While the theory content of Amateur
licensing examinations may be reviewed from time to time, the WIA submits that
it is illogical to suggest manual telegraphy testing be substituted with some
other form of practical testing.
The WIA recognises that Morse code has had a central role in the Amateur
Service for much of its history, and there are a many radio amateurs who are
strong propoents and skilled practitioners of the mode.
The WIA will continue to actively promote the use of Morse code through band
planning, practice broadcasts and education services.
However, with the march of new technoogies, the relevance of Morse code as a
precursor for HF operation has now diminished. The WIA sees Morse code as a
simply one of a number of modes available to the Amateur Service.
The IARU Region III conference in Darwin, Australia, is an occasion for the
region to re-consider this issue, and consider adopting a new policy in
support of the abolition of mandatory Morse code testing.
A positive IARU Region III policy of abolition of the requirement will assist
its member societies who desire to take that step, and may be faced with
reticence by their radio administration.
This IARU RIII Conference Report was issued courtesy WIA Victoria
www.tbsa.com.au/~wiavic
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