20070221.ba v04_n014.bam.20070221 >From ???@??? Wed Feb 21 15:36:22 2007 -0600 Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:34:48 GMT From: Old Tube Radios To: Old Tube Radios Subject: BOATANCHORS digest 4014 Message-Id: <20070221213455.4E60F187B01@srvr1.theporch.com> BOATANCHORS Digest 4014 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Tom Rauch" 2) Re: Johnson Electronic T/R Switch. by "Donald Sanders" 3) Get on VHF/Microwave WAS ARRL End of Code Spl. Event by "David M. Upton" 4) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by Paul Beckwith 5) OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "David Stinson" 6) Re: Turner super sidekick by stuck in 50s 7) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Sandy W5TVW" 8) Re: OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by w8au@sssnet.com 9) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "JAMES HANLON" 10) RE: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Jon Tymick" 11) ARRL - end of code / duct tape by "John Gibson" 12) Re: ARRL - end of code and reliable long distance communications by spr@earthlink.net 13) Re: ARRL - end of code and reliable long distance communications by "Arden Allen" 14) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Arden Allen" 15) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by stuck in 50s 16) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Tom Rauch" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <064a01c7555d$b073b140$640fa8c0@radioroom> From: "Tom Rauch" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:11:55 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=response Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I've been grousing for years about the "digital threat"! > A lot of newbies and some "oldies" too settling down just > anywhere in the old CW sub-bands and operating. A great > many of them not giving a damn as we CW types are > obsolete, you know! How does a "no coder" even recognize > the station on CW if he hasn't passed at least a 5 wpm > exam? They should have kept that requirement so that > those people would have no excuse for being rude Your point is actually a major concern of mine also. It is idiotic to allow someone without the skill or training to recognize a contact to just randomly mingle with any signal they want. We have enough problems with people who actually know CW being bull-headed and rude and plopping down on a busy frequency because they don't understand what is going on. When we start adding people who can't even understand the basic form of communications being used to the mix the problem will get significantly worse. 40 meter CW used to be one of my favorites, but now rag chewing is all but impossible above 7030 at night. If it isn't the f**&^% (that means "friendly") SSB pirates it's the RTTY crap all over above 7030. I really never remotely imagined 40 meters would turn into such a toilet after dark. I have a Saturday sked with a couple friends on 40 CW around 7030 and there is virtually always either SSB or RTTY around that area. It certainly won't get any better now. 73 Tom ------------------------------ Message-ID: <00ba01c75564$4dd8e8a0$7700a8c0@hsd1.al.comcast.net> From: "Donald Sanders" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: Johnson Electronic T/R Switch. Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:59:21 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I connected the TR switch on my DX60B to a separate coax connector on the chassis that is connected to the input of the LP filter. That way the receiver and TR switch is isolated from the antenna by the LP filter I use a homebrew single 6C4 from the old handbook. Works FB and when connected after the filter,normal connection on antenna jack, it overloaded from out of band signals and reception was rotten. Healthfully yours, Don W4BWS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Hickman" To: "Old Tube Radios" Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2007 12:42 AM Subject: Re: Johnson Electronic T/R Switch. > Hi 'rm & Ed, > > Back in the 50's, I used two different electronic t/r switches > and both wrecked my neighbors' TV's. I'm sure their TV's > were 4.5 mc. I.F.'s. > I installed a Drake Low Pass filter and no more TVI! > I'm still using that Drake. > 73, > > Ken N5CM > > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <45DBBAD8.2050900@wb1cmg.mv.com> Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:22:00 -0500 From: "David M. Upton" MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Get on VHF/Microwave WAS ARRL End of Code Spl. Event Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Here is the answer to some of the concerns expressed about deteriorating operating on 40/80/160......Yes there may well be the same issues but a lot more space for everyone. Besides didn't Harvey-Wells prove an 807 produced some output at 2m?? David, WB1CMG Mont Vernon, NH 03057 ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.0.3.0.2.20070220220656.03b0a370@pop3.citlink.net> Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:22:05 -0700 To: Old Tube Radios From: Paul Beckwith Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed We can't forget that the ARRL is a business, first. As such, they're more concerned with the incoming Yaecomwood cash, rather than supporting the people like us, who got 'em where they are in the first place. I'm not bashing them, just stating what I believe to be a fact of life. They pick their battles related to their business strategy, and we aren't a part of it. A sad "thank you" for the support we've given to them all these years. Enough, or I'll get more aggravated and won't be able to sleep. 73's de Paul K2LMQ Kingman, AZ, who gave up his ARRL membership back when they initially stopped supporting CW. At 06:51 PM 2/20/2007, Sandy W5TVW wrote: >I've been grousing for years about the "digital threat"! A lot of >newbies and some "oldies" too settling down just anywhere in the old CW >sub-bands and operating. A great many of them not giving a damn as we CW >types are obsolete, you know! How does a "no coder" even recognize the >station on CW if he hasn't passed at least a 5 wpm exam? They should have >kept that requirement so that those people would have no excuse for being >rude. Now it is all forgiven and it is just a matter of time when the CW >types will die off or be run from the spectrum space by digital and other QRM. >Amateur Radio WAS.....I say again...WAS a nice hobby/vocation in past >years. Welcome to the NEW "Citizens' Bands".......it is just a matter of >time before the written exams are trimmed down and/or eliminated. The FCC >form 610 will come with the radio you buy from >YAESU/ICOM/Kenwood/Ten-Tec/Elecraft, etc. You just fill it in with a >processing fee and or log in to the FCC website to claim your callsign. >Credit cards and PayPal welcome! > >Yes, 40 meters....my former favorite CW and QRP band, is the pits >now. Now 80 and 160 meters falling away from older traditions. What's an >old timer to do? > >73, > >Sandy W5TVW ------------------------------ Message-ID: <002f01c755a3$34a97720$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Cc: , , "SCM" , , , , , Subject: OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 04:29:43 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit You know, I understand that things change and that the ARRL has to survive, and that they worked to keep the 5 WPM for the Extra, which was my position, too. It's not that they couldn't convince Uncle to keep the code- it's that they decided to *celebrate* it with a special event station that pokes a finger in my eye. They can deny and make all kinds of lame excuses and pontificate from on-high and huff and blow BS about their intent, but celebrating is exactly what they're doing. This places them squarely on one side of a "hot button" issue that has divided our community for years. I think I could have gotten along OK with this decision, until the ARRL decided to rub salt in the wound. I feel like I'm standing on one side of a room with a group of old friends, watching the ARRL stand on the other side with a bunch of spoiled children who've just gotten the free candy, for which they've been throwing a years-long temper tantrum, and are now sticking their tongues out and giving us the finger. I bet I'm not alone. And don't even go there- I know most of those "children" will turn out OK; that's not the point and I have a right to feel however I feel about it. I'm going to make the best of this situation, and I'm going to try to get along with the HF newcomers as long as they try to get along with me (at least until I start hearing "10-40 roger" on 20 meters). But it would have been a lot easier without the sorry display of W1AW celebrating the death of The Code. D.S. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:44:37 -0500 (EST) From: stuck in 50s Message-Id: <200702211244.l1LCibBK017087@fracas.netboobie.org> To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: Turner super sidekick > You might have to reenigne esrever the thing, Marty. I get it Did take the fool's chase to a new level & it's that tiny 4-terminal "H-shaped" thing. It's a .25w IC by moto replaced by ECG-752. Which may or not be problem & if it is might cost more'n 2 mic.s Life get's tedious don't it ------------------------------ Message-ID: <005b01c755d6$9bab3700$a0a0cdd1@gateway> From: "Sandy W5TVW" To: Old Tube Radios Cc: , , "SCM" , , , , , Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:37:37 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'm sadly afraid I must wholeheartedly agree! The "league" seemed to change when the old timers there finally all retired or went SK. There was a tradition that did prevail there, but there seems to be none now. The attitude is for "new tech", and "wow tech!", older techniques STAND ASIDE! Now that the FCC, who has promoted all the incompetents to supervisory positions, has gotten rid of the "hated Morse code", much to the delight of many of the "hi tech newbies", they will have to now face up to what will happen to Amateur Radio's glorious past. Let's not forget what seems to run everything now and make all scruples moot: MONEY! I wish the "League" well in the future, and hope someday they come to realize the "League" was founded with the welfare of the individual amateur in mind and not in becoming a "publishing house". As for the FCC, they are a place where political appointees are being placed, and doing things that will aid and abet the "insiders" of government and their cronies. This in spite of the everyday "citizen". I sadly now feel somewhat dispossessed: I hold three now meaningless (at least to some degree) FCC licenses that once meant some accomplishment.......now they basically mean little. [2nd Class Radiotelegraph, General Radiotelephone, Amateur Extra (with 20 wpm code test)...the first two now worth next to nothing and the last severely 'downgraded' in recent years.) Hopefully, there will be a few who will continue to bear the torch of tradition and carry on the fight. 73 to all, Sandy W5TVW ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Stinson" To: "Old Tube Radios" Cc: ; ; "SCM" ; ; ; ; ; Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:29 AM Subject: OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event > You know, I understand that things change and > that the ARRL has to survive, and that they worked > to keep the 5 WPM for the Extra, which was my > position, too. It's not that they couldn't convince > Uncle to keep the code- it's that they decided to > *celebrate* it with a special event station > that pokes a finger in my eye. > They can deny and make all kinds of lame excuses > and pontificate from on-high > and huff and blow BS about their intent, > but celebrating is exactly what they're doing. > > This places them squarely on one side of a > "hot button" issue that has divided our community > for years. I think I could have gotten along OK with > this decision, until the ARRL decided to rub salt in the wound. > I feel like I'm standing on one side of a room with > a group of old friends, watching the ARRL stand on the > other side with a bunch of spoiled children who've just > gotten the free candy, for which they've been throwing > a years-long temper tantrum, > and are now sticking their tongues out and giving us the finger. > I bet I'm not alone. > And don't even go there- > I know most of those "children" > will turn out OK; that's not the point and > I have a right to feel however I feel about it. > > I'm going to make the best of this situation, and > I'm going to try to get along with the HF newcomers > as long as they try to get along with me > (at least until I start hearing "10-40 roger" on 20 meters). > But it would have been a lot easier without > the sorry display of W1AW celebrating the death of The Code. > > D.S. > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/696 - Release Date: 2/21/2007 > 3:19 PM > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:51:19 -0500 To: Old Tube Radios From: w8au@sssnet.com Subject: Re: OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Message-Id: <20070221165123.18973187AEA@srvr1.theporch.com> At 05:29 AM 2/21/2007, David Stinson wrote: >You know, I understand that things change and >that the ARRL has to survive, and that they worked >to keep the 5 WPM for the Extra, which was my >position, too. It's not that they couldn't convince >Uncle to keep the code- it's that they decided to >*celebrate* it with a special event station >that pokes a finger in my eye. >They can deny and make all kinds of lame excuses >and pontificate from on-high >and huff and blow BS about their intent, >but celebrating is exactly what they're doing. I already sent an email saying I would help them celebrate the CW Funeral Services by contacting W1AW on any of their regular CW freqs and sending condolences. Might as well tell it like it "appears to be." (but in reality CW won't die no matter how much the FCC keeps stabbing it) They did restructure their announcement to include CW channels in addition to the Fone freqs, at least. Perry w8au ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: "JAMES HANLON" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:59:27 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0099_01C7559E.F91539A0" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C7559E.F91539A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I notice that the announced 40 meter SSB frequency for W1AW is 7290. We = should fire up some AM gear to work them there. Jim, w8KGI ------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C7559E.F91539A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- * * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * * Mail Lists at theporch.com only accept PLAIN TEXT * * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------=_NextPart_000_0099_01C7559E.F91539A0-- ------------------------------ From: "Jon Tymick" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: RE: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:50:16 -0600 Message-ID: <000301c755e0$bf0b69e0$0dcd9118@helentymick> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1250" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi all...John KO4SR here. I have not responded to any BA mail but read = all with great interest and I, for one, must say that while I would have preferred the FCC keep some sort of CW requirement to be licensed for HF privileges I (a) can understand their rationale and (b) believe this = action has in no way denigrated anyone's license(s). I am an Amateur Extra of the 20 wpm era and trust me when I say the code portion did not come easy. My "CW Elmer", one of those guys who can = copy 40 wpm in their sleep, worked with me for many long (and painful!) nights = to get me to the point where I finally could pass the CW portion -- after = about fifteen attempts! Every time there was a hamfest or VE session anywhere near my home (and I mean within 100 miles!) I was there. I listened to = CW tapes in my car, at home - even over my lunch hour at work. My = triumphant wrenching the sword from the stone came literally two weeks before I was = due to return to Italy (I was active duty Navy, stationed in Naples at the = time, and was in the States for some schooling) and believe me when I tell you = NO ONE was happier than me to get that precious CSCE - well, maybe except = for my CW Elmer who could retire his instructor hat after this HI HI. My = point is that the current requirements to obtain an Amateur Extra license sans code doesn't devalue my license one iota. I know what I had to do to get mine and those bragging rights are mine forever. =20 Sandy, your Radiotelegraph and other licenses are not worthless - they = are priceless! I am familiar somewhat with the Radiotelegraph license = (Coast Guard Radiomen had to have the equivalent, I believe) and if I am not mistaken, the CW requirement was 25 wpm (or better) copy AND SEND! That = is awesome and I doubt anyone who has ever attempted CW would gainsay that. = If you feel those licenses "..mean little..", then YOU have devalued them - = NOT the FCC, ARRL or anyone else. Rather than bemoaning the apparent = "dumbing down" of the license structure you should be proud of the fact you accomplished what you did. I know I certainly am. The fact is - technology moves forward and Amateur Radio, as a = technological hobby, must move forward also and this means certain legacy requirements = may no longer be as necessary. CW is, after all, only one of four or five = modes (depending on your definition) available to the ham of today. No proficiency exam ever existed (to my knowledge) to ensure one could = properly operate SSB or AMTOR - two modes that a great many folks use (and = abuse). It is, regrettably, probably a good thing the Morse requirement has been phased out because it levels the playing field mode-wise.=20 Maybe - and this is something The League might consider doing - those Amateur Extras of the 20 wpm era could be recognized with a unique = license class. Call it, oh I don=92t know, Amateur Extra (CW), Amateur Expert, Amateur Extra Plus - something that would recognize the unique (and = never to be repeated) accomplishment by that group of folks.=20 Anyway - my zwei groschen worth...73 to all John KO4SR -----Original Message----- From: owner-boatanchors@theporch.com = [mailto:owner-boatanchors@theporch.com] On Behalf Of Sandy W5TVW Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 10:38 To: Old Tube Radios Cc: hq@arrl.org; KC1J@arrl.org; SCM; upfront@arrl.org; n1rl@arrl.org; n5ok@arrl.org; w5zn@arrl.org; k1zz@arrl.org Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event I'm sadly afraid I must wholeheartedly agree! The "league" seemed to = change when the old timers there finally all retired or went SK. There was a=20 tradition that did prevail there, but there seems to be none now. The=20 attitude is for "new tech", and "wow tech!", older techniques STAND = ASIDE!=20 Now that the FCC, who has promoted all the incompetents to supervisory=20 positions, has gotten rid of the "hated Morse code", much to the delight = of=20 many of the "hi tech newbies", they will have to now face up to what = will=20 happen to Amateur Radio's glorious past. Let's not forget what seems to = run everything now and make all scruples moot: MONEY! I wish the "League" = well=20 in the future, and hope someday they come to realize the "League" was=20 founded with the welfare of the individual amateur in mind and not in=20 becoming a "publishing house". As for the FCC, they are a place where=20 political appointees are being placed, and doing things that will aid = and=20 abet the "insiders" of government and their cronies. This in spite of = the=20 everyday "citizen". I sadly now feel somewhat dispossessed: I hold = three=20 now meaningless (at least to some degree) FCC licenses that once meant = some=20 accomplishment.......now they basically mean little. [2nd Class=20 Radiotelegraph, General Radiotelephone, Amateur Extra (with 20 wpm code=20 test)...the first two now worth next to nothing and the last severely=20 'downgraded' in recent years.) Hopefully, there will be a few who will continue to bear the torch of=20 tradition and carry on the fight. 73 to all, Sandy W5TVW ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "David Stinson" To: "Old Tube Radios" Cc: ; ; "SCM" ;=20 ; ; ; ;=20 Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 4:29 AM Subject: OT: ARRL End of Code Spl Event > You know, I understand that things change and > that the ARRL has to survive, and that they worked > to keep the 5 WPM for the Extra, which was my > position, too. It's not that they couldn't convince > Uncle to keep the code- it's that they decided to > *celebrate* it with a special event station > that pokes a finger in my eye. > They can deny and make all kinds of lame excuses > and pontificate from on-high > and huff and blow BS about their intent, > but celebrating is exactly what they're doing. > > This places them squarely on one side of a > "hot button" issue that has divided our community > for years. I think I could have gotten along OK with > this decision, until the ARRL decided to rub salt in the wound. > I feel like I'm standing on one side of a room with > a group of old friends, watching the ARRL stand on the > other side with a bunch of spoiled children who've just > gotten the free candy, for which they've been throwing > a years-long temper tantrum, > and are now sticking their tongues out and giving us the finger. > I bet I'm not alone. > And don't even go there- > I know most of those "children" > will turn out OK; that's not the point and > I have a right to feel however I feel about it. > > I'm going to make the best of this situation, and > I'm going to try to get along with the HF newcomers > as long as they try to get along with me > (at least until I start hearing "10-40 roger" on 20 meters). > But it would have been a lot easier without > the sorry display of W1AW celebrating the death of The Code. > > D.S. > > > > --=20 > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/696 - Release Date: = 2/21/2007=20 > 3:19 PM > >=20 --=20 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/694 - Release Date: = 2/20/2007 13:44 =20 --=20 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.3/694 - Release Date: = 2/20/2007 13:44 =20 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:11:03 -0800 Subject: ARRL - end of code / duct tape From: "John Gibson" To: Old Tube Radios Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Message-Id: The military stopped using code because they switched to digital transmission thru communication satellites. I think that the military recently had cold shivers when the Chinese demonstrated that they could shoot down communication satellites. Perhaps code will come back for military communications. The duct tape over gun ports was to keep dust and dirt out of the gun barrels until they were put into use. John. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <6662865.1172086304607.JavaMail.root@elwamui-cypress.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:31:44 -0800 (GMT-08:00) From: spr@earthlink.net To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL - end of code and reliable long distance communications Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Folks, What with the BBC no longer aiming SW signals at North America, the official demise of CW, and the promotion of BPL (Broadband over Power Lines, a ghastly QRM source), the world has decided it no longer cares about SW communications. However, the first thing in any major war will be the destruction of satellites, and we'll wish we had a backup system. FWIW, Scott -----Original Message----- >From: John Gibson >Sent: Feb 20, 2007 10:11 AM >To: Old Tube Radios >Subject: ARRL - end of code / duct tape > > The military stopped using code because they switched to digital >transmission thru communication satellites. I think that the military >recently had cold shivers when the Chinese demonstrated that they could >shoot down communication satellites. Perhaps code will come back for >military communications. > > The duct tape over gun ports was to keep dust and dirt out of the gun >barrels until they were put into use. > John. > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <005801c755f7$b93a3070$08e47443@KB6NAX> From: "Arden Allen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL - end of code and reliable long distance communications Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:31:36 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > ....the first thing in any major war will be the destruction of satellites, ..... And I was worried "star wars" was the shooting down of dumb blonde sexpots, whacky sitcom queens, steroid soaked gorillas, foot-in-mouth presidential aspirants, etc. Hams and other potential homeland defense volunteers are not in the equation anymore. The next major war will be fought by computers. It will end when the surviving IT nannies have nervous breakdowns or the whole planet is glassified. Arden Allen KB6NAX ------------------------------ Message-ID: <005701c755f7$b8969d70$08e47443@KB6NAX> From: "Arden Allen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:09:14 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > .......I sadly now feel somewhat dispossessed: I hold three > now meaningless (at least to some degree) FCC licenses that once meant some > accomplishment....... I'm with you, Sandy. I think tradition means more than just having an excuse to throw a party. I'm glad I passed the 20 wpm (barely) twice although I kept forgetting to go finish getting my Extra. I guess the only solution is to talk across the street with a full gallon. It worked on 11 mtrs after the yahoos came to town! Arden Allen KB6NAX ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:34:04 -0500 (EST) From: stuck in 50s Message-Id: <200702212034.l1LKY4JN019038@fracas.netboobie.org> To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event > we should fire up AM there & join the celebration Newington will be playing; "Ding Dong the witch is dead Which old witch? The morris code witch Ding dong the cw witch is dead" Strictly illegal amateur broadcast. They don't listen & don't listen & they, the league, have been at it for years ------------------------------ Message-ID: <013a01c75600$16deaff0$640fa8c0@radioroom> From: "Tom Rauch" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:32:39 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="windows-1250"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi all...John KO4SR here. I have not responded to any BA mail but read all with great interest and I, for one, must say that while I would have preferred the FCC keep some sort of CW requirement to be licensed for HF privileges I (a) can understand their rationale and (b) believe this action has in no way denigrated anyone's license(s).>> Hi John, Having sat through all these changes from the FCC (and our school systems), I strongly disagree. When I was in the broadcast engineering and two-way/marine radio business very few people seemed to be "technically challenged". The people who managed to get a First (or even a Second) engineering ticket knew what they were doing, or at least they knew their limits. Most of the people I knew who were not able to learn electronics could never pass the First. They also could not pass or had a problem passing the old written amateur extra. The FCC pissed that all away and downgraded all the commercial licenses into a "general radiotelephone". Now I turn about 10-20 BC stations a year over to the FCC for problems that never would have occurred when the bar was higher. One glaring example is a north Georgia station on 1250. The "engineer" dipped the PA on the second harmonic. He then went out to the common point and adjusted the ATU for a good SWR. The thing was 40 over 9 on 2.5 MHz. You may not feel letting 5 WPM extras into the extra CW band is an issue, or no code into CW bands an issue, but I do. This really is very similar to the commercial BC problem. Eliminating a requirement allows anyone without any skill or training into an area where they can cause problems. I don't know what words perfectly describe this for someone else, but what the words really mean is someone with lesser skill or training is "equal" in the eyes of everyone. This hurts the ability of people who have worked or who have a natural ability or talent to excel and enjoy what they do, it robs people of pride. Somehow we have decided that reducing standards and taking things away from people who worked for an advantage isn't the same as demoting people who passed the higher standards. I think it stinks. 73 Tom ------------------------------ End of BOATANCHORS Digest 4014 ******************************