From KB3BYT and KB3CWH

As new hams, I and my son are tech pluses and know first hand how
hard it is to master the morse code. I think you should NEVER do
away with the 5WPM testing for admission to HF because NO ONE
WILL ATTEMPT to master the 13 WPM as a first testing level. You
will discourage all those who thought they had a chance at HF
from ever trying to learn the code. HF gear is cost prohibitive
so you would not expect a total stranger to the hobby to purchase
HF gear to just LISTEN to the code to learn it and tapes and
computer programs just don't cut it either. We build QRP rigs to
get started here at CW BUT  we never get to 13WPM that will not
stop us from enjoying the hobby. If you do away with the 5WPM
then  you will only damage the future of the hobby and leave the
experts now to use the bands until they die off of old age. Soon  
really . . . . They average age of HF operators is old enough to
be MY GRANDFATHER. How do you expect to get the children of
technicians to become interested if you smack them down with a
13WPM test. I failed the 13WPM test 3 times myself now.I will
take this test again, but how about the guy who does not want to
pay 6 bucks to fail a test 3 times? DO NOT DO AWAY WITH 5WPM
testing to get into HF. IT WILL ONLY HURT THE BEGINNERS IN THIS
HOBBY.

Richard E. Weingarten