[AMRadio] Cw

[Jay Bromley]

Hi Guys,
I am somewhat amused by all this handwringing over the demise of CW when we
all should be concerned about the health ham radio in general.  My age group
is the bubble in ham radio population, 54!  There is nothing behind me for
younger hams generally speaking and a gentle slope towards older age groups.
Many of the old AM frequencies as well the CW sub bands are empty after 10
p.m.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLmNVBKX2ow  

Some think when they killed the code that ended CW.  Maybe that is somewhat
true, but for the manufacturer of high quality keys business has never been
better!  Just take a look at the Begali booth during Dayton.  See link
above.  Hummmm one has to wonder if there is not more money making other
things than paddles with their machining equipment! 

Here is another success story:

http://www.n3znkeys.com/

Maybe instead spending so much time on the internet like I am now writing
this BS we should spend more time on the air and Elmering new folks to the
hobby.

Contesting is about the rate and multipliers.  To complete you are going to
have to adopt to technology to do well.  Same thing for any competition
weather it is ham radio or bike racing!  If you want to use a J-38 and dupe
boards instead of your F keys and computer logging, good for you!  I am for
sure not going to knock what folks like to do.  However I will stick to
Writelog with my computer tied to everything from rig control to the keyer,
thank you!  I still contest in the last few hours with a crap antenna for
fun.  I am not going to win, heck no, but like to set goals for myself, like
working WAS, finishing off DXCC for a band, or a number of Q's within a
timed period is not only interesting, but fun.  I love running when I can.
Remember they need the little pistols to win!  Plus you meet some great
folks along the way just like you do in the AM group.

I am sure some of the other groups see us as just as UN-interesting as some
of you see current contesting part of the hobby.  Modern contest stations
can be an engineering marvels and provide another avenue to learn from.

To me, it is all good from DXing, to Contesting, AM, QRP, and even CW!  Dare
I say even SSB rag-chew with a good friend.  Not to worry for you guys new
to SSB I will slow down for you!  :-)

73 de w5jay/jay..