Thank you very much for informing ¡¥Intermediate class¡¦ Amateur Radio Station License

August 8, 2001
The Office of Telecommunication Authority SAR Hong Kong

Dear Sir,

The new
¡¥Intermediate class¡¦ Amateur Radio Station License

Thank you very much for informing us the details of this new license. No doubt, hams in the SAR and the members of our society are delighted to learn about this. As long as the current Restricted license holders pass the 5 wpm Morse test, they will then be allowed to operate below 30MHz with reduced power level.

I believe this new class will certainly promote the hobby of amateur radio. You would probably agree with me that a healthy and scientific hobby with technology elements is in fact beneficial to the society as a whole. To this end, I highly appreciate what you have done in introducing this new license.

Furthermore, I would take this chance to reiterate my views towards CW operation:


1. As expressed in the past, I do not feel Morse code proficiency should be a perquisite requirement for amateur radio operation below 30 MHz. In fact, this topic was discussed in IARU conference 2000, most of the representatives voted for the eventually abolishment of Morse code requirements though HARTS voted
¡¥abstain¡¦. The 5 wpm Morse test would be an interim requirement.


2. With the advance in telecommunication technology, CW is only one of the many operation modes such as SSB, RTTY, Packet and PSK31 etc. While I have no adverse feeling on CW operation, I do not see that there is any direct relationship among the knowledge of Morse code, radio science and operation skills. In other words, a high speed CW operator does not necessary mean that he possesses sound radio knowledge or operation skills.


3. In fact, in the commercial world or the marine operation, CW operation has been abandoned for some time. Even the coastal guard of USA has ceased
monitoring the CW distress channel for some years.
The requirement of Morse code knowledge in amateur radio operation seems unnecessary and out dated.


4. On the other hand, the requirement of Morse code knowledge does hinder the development of this renowned hobby and give unnecessary barrier to the new comers.
In view of the above, I would be the most grateful if you could reconsider the requirement of Morse code examination in an appropriate time in future.
I am looking for your helping hands in developing and promoting this forever-renowned hobby.

Finally, once again, I would like to express my sincere thank for all your effort in putting forward this new
¡¥Intermediate Class¡¦ amateur radio license.

Yours sincerely,


Ho Wing-leung
President of Hong Kong Amateur Radio Association
Website : http://www.hkara.org.hk
Email : committee@hkara.org.hk , vr2ara@hongkong.com


CC. IARU Region 3

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