20070222.ba v04_n015.bam.20070222 >From ???@??? Thu Feb 22 10:08:24 2007 -0600 Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:07:20 GMT From: Old Tube Radios To: Old Tube Radios Subject: BOATANCHORS digest 4015 Message-Id: <20070222160727.87692187AFC@srvr1.theporch.com> BOATANCHORS Digest 4015 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by johnmb 2) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Al Parker" 3) Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event by "Arden Allen" 4) Re: CW demise by Dave or Debbie Metz 5) Re: CW demise by chuck grandgent 6) Re: CW demise by Richard Dillman 7) Re: CW demise by "David Stinson" 8) Re: CW demise by "David Stinson" 9) Re: CW demise by "Paul Christensen" 10) Re: CW demise by "David Stinson" 11) Re: CW demise by w8au@sssnet.com 12) Re: CW demise by Richard Dillman 13) Re: CW demise by Dan Arney 14) Re: CW demise by WA1KBQ@aol.com 15) WTB: BC-453 HF Converter by "Alan Fryer" 16) Re: CW demise by "David Stinson" 17) Re: CW demise by "David Stinson" 18) Re: CW demise by "Tom Rauch" 19) Re: CW demise by Bob Roehrig 20) Re: CW demise by Richard Post 21) Re: CW demise by Steve Berg ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <9387692.1172099181109.JavaMail.Administrator@atp> Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:06:21 -0800 (PST) From: johnmb To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >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 Absolutely correct. John K5MO ------------------------------ Message-ID: <0aeb01c75613$ff5dc050$3201a8c0@w8ut> From: "Al Parker" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:57:08 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Wasn't the buzz word a few (many, now?) yrs ago, "incentive licensing"? "give 'em something more for studying more"? You know, I'm so far out of this brouhaha, I don't even know if they'll still require 5wpm for extra. The crap we're getting on the CW bands now is what steams me. Mostly that digital stuff, getting all jammed down to the low end, and the 5wpm'ers in the bottom 25kc. 73, Al, W8UT New Bern, NC BoatAnchors appreciated here http://www.boatanchors.org http://www.hammarlund.info ----- Original Message ----- From: "johnmb" To: "Old Tube Radios" Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:06 PM Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event > > > >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 > > Absolutely correct. > > John K5MO > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <002001c75621$62a7c4a0$e8e47443@KB6NAX> From: "Arden Allen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: ARRL End of Code Spl Event Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:27:22 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1250" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Somehow we have decided that reducing standards and taking > things away from people who worked for an advantage .... In "normal" times the condescension was towards those who wielded power. And then it devolved into condescension towards those who had influence. These days it's towards the crybabies. Society is now like a rudderless ship steaming full steam ahead. "Eh, what's a few rocks and shoals?", it's implied, "it's all for the good of humanity." I'm afraid mass education has instead of teaching what humanity is really about has taught a utopian fairytail. It pleases the crybabies. Life mimics theatre.... Arden Allen KB6NAX ------------------------------ Message-Id: <200702220226.l1M2Q1TQ014987@mailrtr04.ntelos.net> Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:26:03 -0500 To: Old Tube Radios From: Dave or Debbie Metz Subject: Re: CW demise Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed As lurker on this list for 10 years or so and knowing this response will draw the wrath of 99% of the list that has a ticket with CW proficiency to say nothing of the list administrator, I feel I must make a bit of exception to the recent thread in regard to CW's death. I am 58, just passed my Technician license, and will take the general in the next few weeks less CW. I am thrilled with the thought to finally be able to use the HF bands. Frankly, I could no more learn CW in a reasonable time any more than I could learn a foreign language and resigned myself long ago the time was not worth the ability to talk when the Internet is our everyday fabric. I am probably a bit unique in that I have spent lots of enjoyable time with R390's, 390A's, R1051's, Hallicrafters, National, numerous AA5's, and other short wave radios with no ticket to talk. I love it but that old technology is never going to save the world, it just makes me happy. This weekend, I was at the Richmond hamfest and observed that there were virtually no visible hams under the age of 50. The young folks I saw were all interested in the computer stuff. So if one extrapolates the future, in 20 or so years there will be lots of bandwidth available to the few remaining hams if CW is retained. In the mean time, I doubt the disgusting free for all on 40 and 75 can get any worse and of course one has to have CW to be so professional. Heck, I've heard better courtesy on channel 19 than sometimes is heard on 75! My point is simply this. Unless the amateur community starts attracting new young blood, the spirit of innovation will disappear along with the "mature" hams I saw in Richmond this weekend. Frankly, I am not chomping at the bit to use my phone privileges when I get my general ticket other than perhaps an old broadcast transmitter working 160. . I want to experiment on the digital modes in the HF spectrum. I also want to continue to listen to the AM window and marvel at the sound of Paul Courson in Maryland. While I am no expert on the youth of today, I would suggest they already have all the comms they want with IM ing, TM ing, cell phones, etc. They are passionate with trying to download music and movies with unbelievable compression algorithms and NOT pay for them. I would suggest that we need to harness that energy within the ham community. If we can compress movies by a factor of 100, we can do better than 1200 baud. To suggest that CW always remain strikes me rather narrow minded when viewed in the context of renewing the spirit of innovation by involving this country's youth. As the comm officer on the McCandless(DE1084) in 1972, I had only one CW qualified radioman. Even 35 years ago (it couldn't be that long) the Navy started saying goodby to CW and I would suggest it's time the amateur community embrace our youth on their terms. If in fact the manufacturers start putting in a FCC form to fill out and send in with one's payment to obtain a ticket, that is so far down the road that we'll all be pushing up daisy's. In the mean time, maybe we can engage some creative youth and have them lead the amateur community to new levels of innovation. The existing amateur community should become the spark plug to their innovation not the roadblock. I personally look forward to working with my church youth and exposing them to technology that takes a computer and transmits the data on something other than a product from Microsoft over Comcast.net. They will love it! Sorry for the soapbox. Back to lurking realizing I just took too much time agreeing to disagree with the rest of this list. I realize I will not convince anyone, but felt the need to express another view. 73's dave ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:41:44 -0500 From: chuck grandgent To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Message-Id: <20070222024144.UCND1927.ispmxaamta08-gx.windstream.net@octave-mcmsbb3d> not entirely keeping up with the message threads, sorry... Yes, certainly sorry to see the recent turn of events in ham radio... I am remembering back to when I was 15, took the bus from Connecticut up to Boston, and took my Extra exam, 20 WPM and all... Don't remember a lot about it now, do remember I had to draw with a pencil a Colpitts and a Hartley oscillator schematic, and I did pass on the first try. A real sense of accomplishment, for sure. I also remember there were zero questions about sand-state technology. I also remember my excitement when QST carried an article on the 3N128 FET, "finally a high-impedance device I can relate to", and yes, I never really understood low-impedance transistors, always seemed to me like something was inherently wrong with them... Not sure what to make of it all really, I guess the conclusion is what, the best is behind us ? Chuck, K1OM, Alachua FL ------------------------------ Message-ID: <27555303.1172114492597.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:21:32 -0800 (GMT-08:00) From: Richard Dillman To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >As lurker on this list for 10 years or so and knowing this response >will draw the wrath of 99% of the list that has a ticket with CW >proficiency to say nothing of the list administrator, I feel I must >make a bit of exception to the recent thread in regard to CW's death. Dear OM Metz: I love Morse. I'm privileged to be the Chief Operator at KSM, America's only operational public coast station, and also at K6KPH, which uses all commercial gear and is heard only on Morse. My personal ham transmitter never has a microphone plugged into it and I use Morse exclusively on the NTS traffic nets. My collection of bugs and straight keys is small but dear to my heart - and I use all of them. I admit that it caused a pang in my heart when the Morse requirement was dropped from the amateur service. Nevertheless I agree with you. Forcing people who don't feel the same way I do about Morse to learn it will not cause them to actually use it once they get their ticket. It will only prevent good folks, like you, from getting their ticket in the first place. And if you love Morse you're going to learn it and use it and perfect your craft no matter what the requirements for a ticket in the amateur service are. For those who want something to hang on the wall as testimony to their Morse skill, I strongly suggest they get a commercial telegraph license while they are still available. Then come and "sit the circuit" at KSM and work some ships! Have fun on those digital modes, OM. VY 73, RD ================================= Richard Dillman, W6AWO Maritime Radio Historical Society http://www.radiomarine.org Collector of Harleys, Willys and Radios over 100lbs. ================================= ------------------------------ Message-ID: <003101c75633$e88faf80$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:45:31 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Richard Dillman" Subject: Re: CW demise > For those who want something to hang on the wall as testimony > to their Morse skill, I strongly suggest they get a > commercial telegraph license while they are still available. Is there a study guide available, Richard? I have no idea what's on that test. I understand getting a First Telegraph is impossible now, since six months sea duty is required. 73 D.S. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <003701c75635$a4b92140$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:57:58 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Stinson" > Is there a study guide available, Richard? Never mind- found it all on the FCC web site! ------------------------------ Message-ID: <00e701c75636$16e38260$72163405@Dorm> From: "Paul Christensen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:01:10 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > For those who want something to hang on the wall as testimony to their > Morse skill, I strongly suggest they get a commercial telegraph license > while they are still available. Then come and "sit the circuit" at KSM > and work some ships! Rich, I know you directed your comment to Dave, but you talked me in to it. I just ordered the FCC 2nd Class Radiotelegraph License study guide. Hopefully, the license looks more dignified than that being issued for amateurs. My general class radiotelephone license is laminated and framed. I would like to do the same with the 2nd class RT license. Looks like those of us who passed Extra prior to Y2K are exempt from Morse elements 1 & 2 for 2nd & 3rd classes. 1st class is likely out of reach for most of us due to the 12 month coastal/ship station requirement. Thanks for the excellent suggestion! Paul, W9AC ------------------------------ Message-ID: <004d01c75636$5d902920$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:03:08 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Christensen" Subject: Re: CW demise > I know you directed your comment to Dave, but you talked me in to it. The FCC is using private contractors to give the exams, Paul. Shop around. Some are as low as $35 for a license, and some as high as $75 *per element!* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:29:38 -0500 To: Old Tube Radios From: w8au@sssnet.com Subject: Re: CW demise Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Message-Id: <20070222042942.BDC0A187AF2@srvr1.theporch.com> At 10:45 PM 2/21/2007, David Stinson wrote: >From: "Richard Dillman" > > For those who want something to hang on the wall as testimony > > to their Morse skill, I strongly suggest they get a > > commercial telegraph license while they are still available. > >Is there a study guide available, Richard? >I have no idea what's on that test. >I understand getting a First Telegraph is impossible now, >since six months sea duty is required. Dave: The 3rd and 2nd class RadioTelegraph tests I took back in 1991 were unchanged from 1961. I would assume they are still the same as there has been no promotion for taking these exams since then. It amounted to tube theory, motors and generators, shipboard antennas, batteries, shipboard radio equipment, DFing, Loran, radiotelegraph procedures, message tariffs, etc. If I remember right, it was 16 wpm for 3rd and 22 wpm for 2nd. I think 5 minutes copy was required, but at that speed it was easy to get solid copy. Your public library may have something in the "Reference" section. Check for "Electronic Communication" by Robert L. Shrader. He put out a few editions. Volume 4 was published by McGraw-Hill. You could also check Amazon.com's private book dealers for used copies. Examinations these days are by professional groups. I think NARTE is one of them. (National Association of Radio and Tele- communication Engineers) Done similar to our VE testing. In my case, I have to always renew my 2nd RT, because it has my Radar Endorsement on it! :-) Have fun... Perry w8au ------------------------------ Message-ID: <27479030.1172121580056.JavaMail.root@mswamui-chipeau.atl.sa.earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:19:40 -0800 (GMT-08:00) From: Richard Dillman To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >I know you directed your comment to Dave, but you talked me in to it. I >just ordered the FCC 2nd Class Radiotelegraph License study guide. >Hopefully, the license looks more dignified than that being issued for >amateurs. Well done, OM! Actually, the comment was directed at all of us with an interest in The Mode. A lot of guys have written in response to some of the Maritime Radio Historical Society announcements to say that they too have gotten or will get their 2nd Telegraph. Sorry to say, the diploma licenses are no longer issued. The license looks a lot like an amateur license with your photo on it. Still, it's a significant achievement and one to be proud of. And the offer to sit the circuit at KSM stands for all commercial telegraph licensees. Drop by and get your license endorsed for commercial operation. Some have already done it and copies of their tickets are on the wall at the station. And believe it or not, this really makes a difference at the FCC. They recently declined to remove the dedicated Morse frequencies from Part 80 and cited the newly issued KSM license as one reason. More commercial telegraph licensees could have the same effect. VY 73, RD ================================= Richard Dillman, W6AWO Maritime Radio Historical Society http://www.radiomarine.org Collector of Harleys, Willys and Radios over 100lbs. ================================= ------------------------------ Message-ID: <45DD4D1B.2050004@pacbell.net> Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:58:19 -0600 From: Dan Arney MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios CC: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dave, You win for the best article written on this subject in a long time. I wold suggest that you submit it to any and all of the Ham magazines CQ, QST and any other electronics forum. There are a lot of young'uns out their that have an interest in HAM radio but have no desire nor the time to slow down and learn an archaic form of transmission in todays digital pace as you so well point out. CW and MORSE has served the world fine in all of the heyday of communications, much like the advent of the horseless carriage, tin Lizzie, biplane, black/white TV the list is endless. Young guys still have an interest in restoring old cars etc. but listen to the iPod's and talk on their Bluetooths as they go on in their idea of the worlds functions. CW will continue for some more time but as us OLD PHARTS become SK's it to will go into the sunset as SK's term becomes some KOOL ACRONYM and PC correct and not computer but politically correct. Just think for a minute all of the verbage that has emanated on this reflector in the past week can be transmitted on HI-SPEED Internet in seconds versus the days of key pounding by the high speed fist even with a bug. As Dave points out just go down on 75 at night nd listen to OLD PHARTS that had to transmit and receive CW to get their tickets years ago. Yes it is on 2M/440 but not on 220, 1200 so bad. DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS AS THE SAYING GOES. WHY NOT STUMBLE BACK TO FIX'N DA RADDIIOSSSS!! AS WE DRIFT INTO THE TWILIGHT. TNX ES 73 DE HANK KN6DI/5 BK ------------------------------ From: WA1KBQ@aol.com Message-ID: Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:35:56 EST Subject: Re: CW demise To: Old Tube Radios MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="-----------------------------1172144156" -------------------------------1172144156 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit They don't know CW and they don't know how to fix their appliance either... nor do they care. Put it back in the box and send it back to the manufacturer. When the new one arrives plug it in and give everybody on 75 meter phone a bunch of grief again. Goes along with dumbing down everything else around us I guess which is why I have pretty much given up and got involved with the old Corvette hobby. That group still adheres to standards with a strict set of guidelines which is appreciated. Fewer lids! -------------------------------1172144156 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 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * -------------------------------1172144156-- ------------------------------ Message-ID: <008c01c75677$c1cec900$b1d66e44@rn.hr.cox.net> From: "Alan Fryer" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: WTB: BC-453 HF Converter Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 06:51:15 -0500 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Looking for a homebrew converter for the BC-453. There were several versions that put the BC-453 on 80 and 40M. I've built a few over the years, but curious as to what might be lurking in an attic out there. Would also be interested in a BC-453 with the product detector mod (as in June 1963 73 mag or similar). Alan, N3BJ -- 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 1:44 PM ------------------------------ Message-ID: <006501c75681$6258b8a0$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:00:09 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: > The 3rd and 2nd class RadioTelegraph tests I took back in 1991 > were unchanged from 1961. I would assume they are still the same > as there has been no promotion for taking these exams since then. It appears they have done some work on it, since a couple of GMDSS elements have been added. > If I remember right, it was 16 wpm for 3rd and 22 wpm for 2nd. > I think 5 minutes copy was required, but at that speed it was > easy to get solid copy. If you have a 20-wpm Extra, you get credit for the code test. > You could also check Amazon.com's private book dealers for used > copies. That's a grand idea. I'll start hunting. 73 Dave AB5S ------------------------------ Message-ID: <006d01c75682$170fd800$fa01fea9@Default> From: "David Stinson" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:05:12 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Christensen" Subject: Re: CW demise > My general class radiotelephone license is laminated and framed.... When I sent my 1st Phone in for renewal (you used to do that), I asked for the blue certificate back. Well, they sent me the renewal, which was still a certficate. And they sent me back the blue 1st, with a great, big "CANCELLED" stamped on it... ACK! I got this cheap little cardboard pocket card now- don't remember if that was from the last renewal you had to do, or what, but it sure isn't "display" material. 73 Dave S. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <014301c75684$cd3f54a0$640fa8c0@radioroom> From: "Tom Rauch" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:24:30 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I held an FCC First Radiotelephone until they renewed it with a five or ten year general radiotelephone. The I never bothered renewing. I also had a second radio telegraph before that. I wonder if anyone knows off hand if there is any credit for either of those today? Or do I have to totally retest? 73 Tom ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 08:20:44 -0600 (CST) From: Bob Roehrig To: Old Tube Radios Cc: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed On Thu, 22 Feb 2007, Tom Rauch wrote: > I held an FCC First Radiotelephone until they renewed it with a five or ten > year general radiotelephone. The I never bothered renewing. I also had a > second radio telegraph before that. > > I wonder if anyone knows off hand if there is any credit for either of those > today? Or do I have to totally retest? I thought the General Radiotelephone was a lifetime license. I haven't looked at mine for some time. Bob Roehrig Aurora University Telecom dept. broehrig@aurora.edu K9EUI W9ZGP WD2XSH/19 630-844-4898 fax 630-844-4222 "Nostalgia is a thing of the past" ------------------------------ Mime-Version: 1.0 Message-Id: Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:49:41 -0500 To: Old Tube Radios From: Richard Post Subject: Re: CW demise Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" The GROL is indeed lifetime. I know because I asked for mine to be renewed 5 years after they sent me the detuned GROL certificate. That's when they wrote back to tell me it was lifetime. Apparently I wasn't the only person to ask for renewal. When the First was detuned to GROL, you had the choice of certificate or wallet size. I chose certificate. Re; the CW. I got my ham ticket late in life. After a preteen interest in ham radio (but lifelong electronics hobbiest), cars, girls, college, grad school, family and career interfered. Passed the 5 wpm a few years ago to get my general. 73 and a sincere welcome to amateur radio to Dave Metz. Rich KB8TAD http://tinyurl.com/537ds At 8:20 AM -0600 2/22/07, Bob Roehrig wrote: >On Thu, 22 Feb 2007, Tom Rauch wrote: > >>I held an FCC First Radiotelephone until they renewed it with a >>five or ten year general radiotelephone. Then I never bothered >>renewing. > >I thought the General Radiotelephone was a lifetime license. I >haven't looked at mine for some time. > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <45DDBFAC.1070400@tbc.net> Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:07:08 -0600 From: Steve Berg MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: CW demise Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Most of my operating either hollow or sand state is done on CW. I do occasionally make a contact on SSB, mostly on 6 and 2 meters. I am hardly a top notch CW operator, and mainly stay between 10 and 15 WPM. But I thoroughly enjoy it. I am glad that some people with the new instant Extra licenses are at least using CW, albeit slowly. We need to encourage them, and not bad mouth them for starting out slow. I am still a lowly Advanced class person, and was a Technician for at least half of my 44 years of ham radio operation. My main interest is VHF. When my workload allows, I will be upgrading to Extra. My beef is with the assumption that CW is an obsolete and dying mode of communications. I beg to differ. During the last sunspot peak, I managed to work all continents on 6 meters with 8 watts. I did so with a 4 element beam. This is something that I never dreamed of doing in the early 1960s with my Clegg 99er and a similar 4 element beam. I never could have worked Japan and Kwajelein Atoll with SSB at that power level. I had a 5 minute opening to Japan, and I managed to snag a contact at the last minute. That was one of the biggest thrills of my life. I am also concerned with emergency communications. Several times I have seen storms hit the Midwest where power was out for a week. To this end, I keep a functional Heath HW-7 QRP CW rig, some wire, an antenna tuner and several fully charged motorcycle batteries. I should be good for plenty of operation for several weeks with that rig and my old bug. How long does your laptop battery last? As some recent weather events on our Gulf coast have demonstrated, emergency communications are crucial, and while not as fast or as convenient as other newer digital modes, CW does the best under truly hostile and long-lasting situations. Let us not neglect this proven mode of communication which has been most useful for almost 2 centuries. Now, lets get back to keeping the vacuum tube flag flying high! 73, Steve WA9JML ------------------------------ End of BOATANCHORS Digest 4015 ******************************