ln the Matter of 1998 Biennial Regulatory Review --
Amendment of Part of the 4 Record 1 of 1
          
Dear Sirs

I have read the ARRL licensing re-structuring proposal. I agree
with them on relaxing the code requirements as they propose 
amateur radio is loosing ground to other hobbies.  You can find
many people who technically oriented, but lose interest in
amateur radio once you mention code requisite. A 12 wpm
code test as proposed by the ARRL is not difficult and would
allow more people into our hobby.

Morse code has its value, I can't argue that. In a national
disaster, when everything fails, with minimum equipment you
use Morse code as a last resource,  but I can't imagine doing
this service at 20+-wpm in these conditions. By the same token, a
digital equipped station using any of the arbor correcting
protocols available to the ham community- could probably do the
same.

It is my opinion that lowering the code speed:, for the amateur
examinations would allow  more people to enter our hobby. If a
person wants to be a 20wpm code operator that should be a matter
of personal choice.

Respectfully

Nax Juarbe-Diaz,  KP4PK