05/06/2000

At today's ALV (Algemene Leden Vergadering or AGM in English) at Soesterberg the members of the VRZA voted to instruct the members of the Board of Directors to pursue a policy aimed at the full abolition of the morse telegraphy exam for access to the HF bands.

At the same time, they indicated that a temporary lowering of the exam speed to 5wpm would be acceptable if this finally led to the required result. 5 wpm can be accepted only as a temporary phase.

The proposal was accepted with the following ratio of votes:

66% FOR 32% AGAINST 2% ABSTAINED

Two other proposals were voted on at the same time:

• a reduction of the morse speed requirement to 5_wpm was rejected
  14% FOR, 83% AGAINST, 3% ABSTENTIONS
• Maintaining the current (12wpm) requirement:
  27% FOR, 71% AGAINST, 2% ABSTENTIONS.

The conclusion is clear...