DEAR ABBY: I noted with interest your column in which a female pilot recommended learning Morse code for SOS in case of emergencies. As an amateur radio operator (extra-class, requiring a code speed of 20 words per minute), and having gone through the Army's Radio Operators School (25wpm), I heartily agree! Unfortunately, I think that the times are agin' us. I cite the following dates, which rank high in Morse code infamy:
April 1, 1995: U.S. Coast Guard stops monitoring frequencies for Morse distress signals.
Oct. 1, 1996: MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System -- essentially, ham radio operators cooperating with the U.S. armed forces) eliminates the use of Morse code.
Feb. 1, 1999: By international agreement, all commercial ships no longer will use Morse code.
April 15, 2000: The FCC lowers the code requirement for general and advanced (13 wpm) and extra-class (20 wpm) licenses to 5 wpm.
So, Abby, it looks like only pilots and ham operators will be able to send and receive Morse code from now on. -- DAVE SHER, W9LYA, SKOKIE, ILL.
DEAR DAVE: Believe me, your letter was news to me. If Morse code has gone the way of the automobile crank, the powdered wig and Emerson television sets, I suppose we'll just have to accept it, and accept with good faith the more advanced technology that has replaced it.