DETAIL MORSE CODE AND REGULATORY POLICY FOR 9M2 LAND

A DETAIL MORSE CODE AND REGULATORY POLICY FOR 9M2 LAND
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1. Should the morse code be eliminated or should the morse code remain status quo with a reduced word per minute (wpm) speed requirement?

MY ANSWER
I do NOT think morse code should be eliminated.

The morse requirement should be maintained but at 8 wpm instead of the present 12 wpm, BUT maybe Class B holders can have some HF operating privileges. I think Class B holders can operate on HF bands subject to the following restrictions:



Within the 2 years of obtaining Class B license:

HF band privileges – mode: SSB telephony only

40 Meter band – to operate below 7.050Mhz /100 Watts max


2. When is the appropriate time to eliminate Morse Code?

MY ANSWER
There should not be any elimination as above. This will continue for those wishing to get a 9M callsign. Ham should not be equated like taxi drivers. They are a unique lot, so keep it that way. Remember 'warisan'?


3. If morse code requirement is eliminated, do you think that the proliferation of new services and technology could assist or compliment the use of amateur service during times of emergency, accident and national catastrophe?


MY ANSWER

High tech digital modes could assist or compliment but could not replace CW as a cheap, easy and a simple way to communicate over the air over extremely long distance ie. thousand of miles away. It is madness to think that high tech gear can and will replace CW (if your mic fell into the water in flood areas, what do you do? Find a 2 wires, and leave the rest to me. sorry no time to find digital terminal node controller, and yeah, no one else has that even if you found the digital set up!). CW traffic dominates the HF band today (and not voice chat) and CMC kept getting their facts wrong. Except for a negligible few, Malaysian hams do NOT use digital modes and no one can receive such digital data on air simply because no one can really afford the equipment or took time to even understand them. All HF radios come morse code phone jack (as standard - unlike digital mode) and some HF sets even come standard with CW keyers.


4. One of the distinguishing elements between Class A and Class B amateur of these licensees are Morse Code proficiency. Would the elimination of those classes promote grass root interest in the use of amateur radio?


MY ANSWER

Cancellation of the entire RAE would also create new hams in the thousands. Why not abolish RAE altogether, one might ask. The argument that abolishing the Morse test will make more people interested in the amateur radio service in Malaysia is taken out of context, because Rae is MORE difficult that the morse. If recent statistic is anything to go by, almost one out of two failed the RAE!!

We state that the Morse proficiency or ‘Morse code literate’ is the distinguishing element between ham radios and commercial taxi drivers The old adage - “Any fool can talk into the microphone” couldn’t be more right. Is that CMC wants out of Malaysian hams? Russian retains CW. Why? In UK, the novice level includes a morse appreciation class. Why? In South Africa, it is retained. Why?



5. Kindly submit suggestions or comments on any Morse code related issues that faced by Malaysian Amateur Radio Operators today.


MY ANSWER

• Create VE (Voluntary Examiner) scheme to conduct the Morse test
• Reduce the speed from 12 to 8 wpm
• Change the alphabet and the number test, which is outdated. The Morse test should no longer be divided in to alphabet and number test, but to send a the test text for only 2 minutes (instead of the present 3 minutes) and that numbers (such as dates, weather temperature, time (and punctuations) should be inserted in the text.
• If the speed is reduced to 8 wpm, CMC can encourage budding hams to even sit for the 8 wpm test BEFORE the RAE (since it’s supposed to be more efficient under the VE scheme)
• Have the Morse test every single month. The test is so straightforward and I don’t know why it took CMC too long to work this out. There is no maximum number of re-sits.
• Reduce the test fee.
• Create awareness programme by publishing pamphlets on Morse and RAE. Support the study of amateur radio and Morse (as co-curriculum) at Secondary Schools (Sekolah WAWASAN) nationwide.
• Morse test for the disabled should be seriously looked into, such as for the blind and those with physical disabilities.


QUESTIONS B

1. Should Malaysian amateur radio operators maintain current class of operators or to adopt new classes of operators proposed above? Any comments on proposed classes, or alternatives as to know how to encourage the public about amateur radio without minimizing the standards of amateur radio service in Malaysia?


MY ANSWER

• Maintain the current class A and class B license.
• Class B has some HF privileges, as proposed above.
• Create a new Novice class (Class C) – The Novice exam syllabus will not be as challenging or as tough as the RAE,.
• CMC cannot maintain the erratic and slow pace of RAE exam (worse for Morse test) as we have seen for the last 6 years.


• To immediately cease to lump and dump amateur service in Malaysia into the category of ‘commercial’ or ‘industry oriented’, from amateur radio application forms to the ‘apparatus assignment’ concept which is alien to amateur service and a disregard of our international obligations to give proper and correct recognition to amateur radio service. Amateur repeaters are NOT commercial repeaters.

• CMC to create a budget to improve public awareness of amateur radio service and simplify the admission process.

• AP from SIRIM should be reviewed. No necessity for AP, if there is class and type approval method to be introduced by CMC
• Maintain the current tax exemption for amateur radio sets. This must extend to antennas, meters, calibration equipment, CW accessories, RF amplifiers. This is a key policy to be adopted to get more to join the hobby.
• For the avoidance of doubt, amateur licensees can purchase, own and operate a satellite parabolic dish, at home or mobile.



Should Malaysian amateur radio operators adopt a practical proficiency test additional to the current RAE in order to compensate from the elimination of the Morse Code?

MY ANSWER

I would say NO.

There is NO elimination of Morse code in the first place. Only a reduction from 12 to 8 wpm for those wishing to obtain Class A license. This will forever destroy the argument that Morse test is difficult. Further class B may in any case operate on HF with limited privileges and 100 Watts max.

Practical test will only make the RAE more difficult. I do not support a practical proficiency test.



1. In order to promote the development of amateur radio services in Malaysia, kindly forward your suggestions and opinions to be incorporated into the review of amateur radio services.

Eligible age should be 9 years old. This helps in their mathematics and appreciation of basic electricity and physics when they reach secondary schools. Especially so for the Novice Class.

NO AGE limit for Morse test. If a 6 year old can do Morse (which is widespread in the West), so much the better!

Completely eliminate the “processing fee” when it comes to renewal of ham license.
Create real support for School’s amateur radio clubs. Also in Universities, Technical and Vocational colleges and Army amateur Clubs.

Completely revamp the description “apparatus assignment” for amateur radio
Amateur radio competency (designated skill) is licensed personally to an individual who have showed sufficient technical knowledge in radio electronics after passing the RAE. It is therefore legally wrong to say that it is merely ‘apparatus assignment’, for to say that means amateur radio is part of the commercial communications industry. This is against international law on amateur radio. The reason is not unknown. CMC may be too preoccupied with the ‘industry’.

To completely do away with the concept of Certifying Agency that has to be a BERHAD. Amateur Radio Societies in Malaysia and all over the world are non profit societies. In Malaysia, hams have difficulty to even find a place call “Office” or HQ because we have no funds. Let alone running a BERHAD. This is silly because the whole law is designed with commercial interest in mind, and lumping (amateur radio service) ARS in the same group is totally unacceptable.

DE 9M2SZ
MALAYSIA
CW-DXCC
CROATIAN CW TELEGRAPHIC CLUB

CW morse code for Malaysian amateurs - a framework

Charting the future of Malaysia's Amateur Radio - step by step

1. Should the morse code be eliminated or should the morse code remain status quo with a reduced word per minute (wpm) speed requirement?

MY ANSWER
I do NOT think morse code should be eliminated.
The morse requirement should be maintained by at 8 wpm instead of the present 12 wpm, BUT maybe Class B holders can have some HF operating privileges. I think Class B holders can operate on HF bands subject to the following restrictions:

Within the 2 years of obtaining Class B license:
HF band privileges – mode: SSB telephony only
40 Meter band – to operate below 7.050Mhz /100 Watts max

2. When is the appropriate time to eliminate Morse Code?
MY ANSWER
There should not be any elimination as above. This will continue for those wishing to get a 9M callsign.

3. If morse code requirement is eliminated, do you think that the proliferation of new services and technology could assist or compliment the use of amateur service during times of emergency, accident and national catastrophe?

MY ANSWER
High tech digital modes could assist or compliment but could not replace CW as a cheap, easy and a simple way to communicate over the air over extremely long distance ie. thousand of miles away. It is madness to think that high tech gear can and will replace CW. CW traffic dominates the HF band today (and not voice chat) and CMC kept getting their facts wrong. Except for a negligible few, Malaysian hams do NOT use digital modes and no one can receive such digital data on air simply because no one can really afford the equipment or took time to even understand them. All HF radios come morse code phone jack (as standard - unlike digital mode) and some HF sets even come standard with CW keyers.

4. One of the distinguishing elements between Class A and Class B amateur of these licensees are Morse Code proficiency. Would the elimination of those classes promote grass root interest in the use of amateur radio?

MY ANSWER
Cancellation of the entire RAE would also create new hams in the thousands. Why not abolish RAE altogether, one might ask. The argument that abolishing the Morse test will make more people interested in the amateur radio service in Malaysia is taken out of context, because Rae is MORE difficult that the morse. If recent statistic is anything to go by, almost one out of two failed the RAE!!

We state that the Morse proficiency or ‘Morse code literate’ is the distinguishing element between ham radios and commercial taxi drivers The old adage - “Any fool can talk into the microphone” couldn’t be more right. Is that CMC wants out of Malaysian hams? Russian retains CW. Why? In UK, the novice level includes a morse appreciation class. Why? In South Africa, it is retained. Why?

5. Kindly submit suggestions or comments on any Morse code related issues that faced by Malaysian Amateur Radio Operators today.

MY ANSWER
• Create VE (Voluntary Examiner) scheme to conduct the Morse test• Reduce the speed from 12 to 8 wpm• Change the alphabet and the number test, which is outdated. The Morse test should no longer be divided in to alphabet and number test, but to send a the test text for only 2 minutes (instead of the present 3 minutes) and that numbers (such as dates, weather temperature, time (and punctuations) should be inserted in the text.• If the speed is reduced to 8 wpm, CMC can encourage budding hams to even sit for the 8 wpm test BEFORE the RAE (since it’s supposed to be more efficient under the VE scheme)• Have the Morse test every single month. The test is so straightforward and I don’t know why it took CMC too long to work this out. There is no maximum number of re-sits.• Reduce the test fee.• Create awareness programme by publishing pamphlets on Morse and RAE. Support the study of amateur radio and Morse (as co-curriculum) at Secondary Schools (Sekolah WAWASAN) nationwide.• Morse test for the disabled should be seriously looked into, such as for the blind and those with physical disabilities.

QUESTIONS B
1. Should Malaysian amateur radio operators maintain current class of operators or to adopt new classes of operators proposed above? Any comments on proposed classes, or alternatives as to know how to encourage the public about amateur radio without minimizing the standards of amateur radio service in Malaysia?

MY ANSWER
• Maintain the current class A and class B license.• Class B has some HF privileges, as proposed above.• Create a new Novice class (Class C) – The Novice exam syllabus will not be as challenging or as tough as the RAE,. • CMC cannot maintain the erratic and slow pace of RAE exam (worse for Morse test) as we have seen for the last 6 years.
• To immediately cease to lump and dump amateur service in Malaysia into the category of ‘commercial’ or ‘industry oriented’, from amateur radio application forms to the ‘apparatus assignment’ concept which is alien to amateur service and a disregard of our international obligations to give proper and correct recognition to amateur radio service. Amateur repeaters are NOT commercial repeaters.
• CMC to create a budget to improve public awareness of amateur radio service and simplify the admission process.
• AP from SIRIM should be reviewed. No necessity for AP, if there is class and type approval method to be introduced by CMC• Maintain the current tax exemption for amateur radio sets. This must extend to antennas, meters, calibration equipment, CW accessories, RF amplifiers. This is a key policy to be adopted to get more to join the hobby.• For the avoidance of doubt, amateur licensees can purchase, own and operate a satellite parabolic dish, at home or mobile.

Should Malaysian amateur radio operators adopt a practical proficiency test additional to the current RAE in order to compensate from the elimination of the Morse Code?

MY ANSWER
I would say NO.
There is NO elimination of Morse code in the first place. Only a reduction from 12 to 8 wpm for those wishing to obtain Class A license. This will forever destroy the argument that Morse test is difficult. Further class B may in any case operate on HF with limited privileges and 100 Watts max.
Practical test will only make the RAE more difficult. I do not support a practical proficiency test.

1. In order to promote the development of amateur radio services in Malaysia, kindly forward your suggestions and opinions to be incorporated into the review of amateur radio services.

Eligible age should be 9 years old. This helps in their mathematics and appreciation of basic electricity and physics when they reach secondary schools. Especially so for the Novice Class.

NO AGE limit for Morse test. If a 6 year old can do Morse (which is widespread in the West), so much the better!

Completely eliminate the “processing fee” when it comes to renewal of ham license.Create real support for School’s amateur radio clubs. Also in Universities, Technical and Vocational colleges and Army amateur Clubs.

Completely revamp the description “apparatus assignment” for amateur radioAmateur radio competency (designated skill) is licensed personally to an individual who have showed sufficient technical knowledge in radio electronics after passing the RAE. It is therefore legally wrong to say that it is merely ‘apparatus assignment’, for to say that means amateur radio is part of the commercial communications industry. This is against international law on amateur radio. The reason is not unknown. CMC is too preoccupied with the ‘industry’.

To completely do away with the concept of Certifying Agency that has to be a BERHAD. Amateur Radio Societies in Malaysia and all over the world are non profit societies. In Malaysia, hams have difficulty to even find a place call “Office” or HQ because we have no funds. Let alone running a BERHAD. This is silly because the whole law is designed with commercial interest in mind, and lumping (amateur radio service) ARS in the same group is totally unacceptable.
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All views welcomed and will be benchmarked.

Happy dx
9M2SZ/ 9M2SAS
Malaysia
CW-DXCC
Croation cw-Telegraphic Club

Mastering Morse CW for beginners in Malaysia

CW morse code for Beginners practice
Malaysia’s leading page on morse CW - from 9M2SZ

Facing the CW test head on

At first, your practice should be directed towards listening and copying only. Once you have the character rhythms firmly embedded in your subconscious mind, you will need a Morse key to practise sending. You do not have to spend a lot of money on a key - ex-army keys can be bought for a modest sum. It is important that your key has a smooth action and that you can adjust the tension and contact gap.

Your first task is to learn the Morse code alphabet and numbers. You should avoid the temptation of thinking of characters as dots and dashes. Set your Morse generator to a character speed between 12 and 15 words per minute with a wide spacing between the characters. That way, you will learn Morse as sounds or rhythms and not as individual dots and dashes. This will facilitate your progress greatly.

Once you are confident that you can remember the letters and numbers, you need to learn punctuation signals.

? - question mark
/ - oblique stroke
........ erase/error

These are easy. You can learn that much later.

Increasing your speed You should increase your word speed by gradually reducing the inter-character spacing. You should be able to copy about 80% of the code being received before increasing your copy speed. If you are able to copy all of the code with ease at a given speed, you are not stretching yourself enough. Alternatively, if you can only copy 30%, then you should reduce the speed a little.

Practice time To obtain the maximum benefit from your practice, you should aim to work every day. A reasonable amount of time is 10 to 20 minutes, twice a day. Hello – 10 minutes okay! Resist the temptation to work for more than 15 minutes at a time as you will become tired and stale.

Above all, RELAX. Morse is your hobby - your life does not depend on it (though it may do one day!) Speed plateaux or "hitting the wall" A common experience in learning to read Morse code is reaching a certain speed and then being unable to progess any further. To overcome this, have a rest for 3 days (not more!) and start again at a slightly higher word speed. You will begin to make progress again. Remember - do not expect to be able copy 100%.

Before I go further, I simply ask you to make an effort to learn the following in CW

E I S H T M O - get down to it now.

I have a couple of excellent cw software for the beginners and advance learners. Drop me a line. Keep watching this space.


73 to all
9M2SZ