As someone who has been practicing Morse code daily for the last few weeks in an effort to enhance my QRP toolset, I found this posting on KE9V’s blog today to be a very insightful piece on the current state of code operations in amateur radio.

KE9V writes:

The popular meme spread to the four corners is that not only has amateur radio grown by leaps and bounds since the removal of Morse testing, but as an added bonus, the interest in and use of CW since then has grown significantly as well. Much has been said and written and frequent high-fives exchanged over what a tremendous success this has been for everyone on both sides of the argument.

I’m here to tell you that this is complete and utter nonsense.

CW usage has remained on a downward glide path since at least the late 80′s or early 90′s and it’s been completely unaffected by any recent changes in licensing requirements.

via The Code Delusion | Smoke Curls.

Just an excellent read, not only in regards to code, but on the state of the hobby as a whole.