Ed Mitchell, KF7VY, publisher of the Ham Radio Online "web magazine" recently posted the following comments, both on his web site and in several other public forums.  These comments go a long way towards summing up the realities of today and the future and explaining why today's US hams, even those who enjoy and promote the use of telegraphy ("CW"), need to accept the changes recently enacted by the FCC and "get on with life" in productive ways instead of carping incessantly and even attempting in some cases to devise schemes to thwart the will of the FCC.   (A small number of current Extra class VEs have been openly conspiring on usenet to organize a "movement" of mass resignations of VEs designed to make it more difficult for newcomers and those desiring to upgrade to find testing sessions and obtain or upgrade licenses under the new FCC Rules.) 

Thanks to Ed for his gracious consent to allow his comments to be posted here on the NCI website.

(Ed's comments follow between the horizontal lines below.)

"Regarding any requirements for the Amateur service, I think it fundamentally comes down to our existing solely to serve the public. There is no other reason we exist except to, in some way, shape, or form, serve the public's interest. The issue then becomes one of designing an Amateur service that meets today's public interests, not our own selfish interests. 

If we look only narrowly at the issue of telegraphic proficiency, the public's demand for telegraphers is currently about as close to zero as you can get. The public's demand for electrical engineers, electronic technicians and computer software developers is apparently off scale. Last year, the U.S. Congress expanded the number of temporary high tech foreign workers allowed into the U.S. to fill an alleged shortage of high tech workers. Presently, there are five new proposals before the U.S. Congress to expand the allowed number of temporary high tech workers from other countries. Depending on the proposal, these could generally increase the number allowed to nearly unlimited number of imported workers.

We apparently have no shortage of telegraphers, with society's demand for telegraphers close to zero.

It would seem, from a social perspective, that the public that grants us a privilege to use THEIR radio frequencies, would be primarily interested in our using their resources to craft an Amateur service that fosters development of individuals trained in contemporary technical arts and sciences.

Regardless of how you or I feel about the use of telegraphy, the public's demand for telegraphers is zero. Our service exists solely to serve the public. If the public requires more telegraphers, than a telegraphy proficiency requirement is essential. If the public has no demand for telegraphers, then a telegraphy requirement becomes superfluous and is not meeting a public need. We are then, in effect, abusing the public's resources. There is ample evidence that the public's demand for telegraphers is  met and would continue to be met by those of us who voluntarily maintain proficiency in telegraphy. This "evidence" includes the observation that there are many vocal proponents of telegraphy, about 25% of U.S. hams claim to use telegraphy, and there are organizations, such as fists.org, devoted to maintaining telegraphy proficiency.

Alternatively, we can continue to maintain our selfish view that Amateur Radio exists solely for our own amusement. Unfortunately, that selfish perspective leads to designing a self serving ARS that is not aligned with the public's interest in permitting us to use THEIR radio frequencies.

I believe it is essential that the Amateur Service meet contemporary public requirements. To do anything else is an abuse of the public's trust in our Service."

Ed, KF7VY, Publisher, Ham Radio Online