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