[AMRadio] I'm finally back on CW

[Chris Kepus]

Michael (and group), glad to hear there's a youngster enjoying the old stuff!  (at 70, I consider myself just an adolescent)

My primary CW rig is a 75A4 / Valiant / J-38 / original Vibroplex bug - same bug I used as a Novice in 1955.

IMHO, I believe the best hook for ham radio for the younger group is vintage gear... it's not plastic, it smells like nothing they've smelled before (and smells good), turning on a tube rig provides a visual reward seeing the tubes glow, the radios are hackable, rebuildable, restorable, rosin smoke is additive,  etc., doesn't require a SMD laboratory, and many critical parts are still available.  Offered only as a communication medium, however, it's a tough sell to competing with current technology. 

73,
Chris
W7JPG


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael C. Marx [mailto:sndtubes at vacuumtubes.com] 
Sent: Friday, August 16, 2013 6:04 AM
To: Rob Atkinson; Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service
Subject: Re: [AMRadio] I'm finally back on CW

Not me!  I am on the air with CW using a set of gold dust twins, ranger, viking 2, nc303, sx28, etc.  Love em.  I even run some contests and dx with them.  Long live cw and boat anchors.

I will say one thing that I find disturbing.   In 1976 I was 15.  Most people that I worked were older than me (although I did work other teens).  Now that I am 52, STILL everyone that I work is older than me.