[1000mp] Speaker Choice

[George Bethea]

I have been an avid DX'er now for over 30 years! I had been #1 Honor Roll
until P5. I only need P5 on phone, P5, VU4, and VU7 on CW (worked two
operations from there (VU4-VU7) but never any cards for CW), and less than a
handful on RTTY to be #1 on all of those modes (have 4L4FN/P5 in the log but
no docs yet). I also have several bogus P5's :-). I think I know something
about working weak stations in less than optimal conditions. I love low band
dxing, and have many esp level q's to my credit, on 160.

I ALWAYS use headphones for serious brain filtering. I use hi-fi speakers
when I am working on equipment at the bench, and want to casually listen to
an interesting QSO, or monitor a frequency while roaming around the house
(successfully use Sony hi-fi wireless phones for this too). I use an SP5 as
I stated, for times when phones are not required, and I am in front of the
console. On occasion, I do use the Bose system for split operation, but
never when trying to copy marginal signals. Too many assumptions are being
made about what those of us that use non-communication speakers in our
systems do with them. BTW, Moonbounce ops regularly use hi-fi style speakers
and high volume settings, and leave the immediate area of the rig so their
"ears" can filter the cw. It works well!!!! Bill Kennemar (ex DXCC Chairman,
and ex ARRL Membership Services Committee Chairman) taught me about this. He
and Kan JA1BK, used this "trick" when operating Moonbounce from Ogasawara
Island (JD1). It was the only way that they could make any q's on that mode,
from that remote location with the position of the moon relative to their
forced operating position.

Consider yourself taught as requested. :-) No flames, just responding to a
direct question.

                        Happy Easter all!
                        George K5JZ