I am an electrical engineer working as a digital
designer at AMI. I currently hold a Tech + license N7RSP. I feel that
the Morse code requirement has outlived its usefullness and should be
abolished or greatly reduced. I passed the 5 wpm code and found I have no
interest in using the code at all. It is antiquated and should fall by
the wayside as did AM when SSB came on the scene. Those who want to can
still use Morse code but it should not be a stumbling block to use of
the HF frequencies. I am greatly interested in using the HF
frequencies for SSB but cannot as current licensing stands.

I am a member of ARRL and am greatly concerned that young
people are no longer interested in Amateur Radio. My son KB7YGE and wife
KC7CZS have no interest in learning Morse code and in fact are much more
comfortable on the internet than on ham radio. They were very interested
in HF communications on SSB but that fell flat when they learned
that Morse code was required.

ARRL said they took a survey on who wants to retain the 
Morse code. They must have surveyed only Extra class people who want to have
their own private domain for senior citizens, because no one in my
family (3 hams) of Techs and Tech +'s received any questionaires.

Again, I feel the Morse code requirement is an antiquated
stumbling block to obtaining an Amateur license. As far as I know, NO
ONE ELSE who uses the radio frequencies requires knowledge of Morse code
to use their frequencies. Only amateur radio.

Thank you for your time.
John W. Bunker