Now that morse code is no longer required for short wave licenses I could witness the effects in our HAM club. This winter a group of HAMs (including me) decided that they wanted to learn and get up to par for the HAM bands. One ex-army instructor was happy to help achieving that goal. So I fully agree with you. People who want to learn it will find a way. No that the way is free maybe even more people will do so.
I bought a 40 m homebrew radio that fits in an Altoids tin (the Rockmite). Now Iīm eager for me first QSO with it.
BTW: I know a couple of operators who lost contact with the code right after the license test. It just wasnīt fun for them anymore.
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If it isnīt broken, it doesnīt have enough features yet.