[Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy

[George Morton]

Gents, I was first licensed in 1951, so I think I can say that I am a real 
OT!  I've had First phone, first telegraph
and GMDSS O/M.  Graduated from CT "A" school
with 52 wpm (it's in my enlisted record).  Thirty years in Navy and another 
ten years as Radio Officer in Merchant Marine.  Morse code has been my bread 
and butter for life.  No longer needed in today's modern modes of 
communication (tho MARS is bringing back morse nets).

We should welcome the "no code extras" they at least
took the time and effort to get a license.  Those who don't have the 
background we OTs have need elmers not derision.  Lets offer a hand, not a 
fist.  I well recall the many old hams who helped get me started.

Warm regards to all, Geo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Markavage" <manualman at juno.com>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy


> There are over 500 hams listed for Seattle, WA (doing a quick QRZ.com
> database search with limit of 500 entries). I can't believe they are all
> sitting around inactive and/or not hearing or not getting on the air. I
> worked around a dozen hams in the Seattle area on 6 meters this summer
> and most were running 100 watts or less. Of course, if your equipment or
> antenna system are marginal, your ability to hear and work stations
> probably will be limited. I find no lack of signals on 160, 75, or 40
> meters during the evening hours and 20 meters generally is hopping during
> the daytime hours.
>
> Pete, wa2cwa
>
> On Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:00:46 -0700 "Bob Macklin" <macklinbob at msn.com>
> writes:
>> I have not heard an HF AM here in a couple of years because of the
>> Solar
>> Cycle. I used to hear the NW AM group on 3870 and the Calif group on
>> 14,286.
>> But no more. When I can detect the NW AM group it is too low a level
>> for me
>> to copy. I find them by turning on the BFO . I have occasionally
>> heard the
>> morning West Coast group on 3885(?) but again they have been too
>> weak to
>> copy comfortably.
>>
>> There are the Cascade Mtns. and the Cascade foothills between me and
>> the
>> other people in the NW AM group. The only way I can hear them is if
>> the
>> signal goes straight up and comes straight back down. That's not
>> happening
>> now. Hasn't been for a couple of years.
>>
>> I don't hear much SSB these days except during contests. Then I
>> don't have a
>> problem.
>>
>> It seems to me that ham radio has become a CONTESTERS HOBBY!
>>
>> Bob Macklin
>> K5MYJ
>> Seattle, Wa,
>> "Real Radios Glow in the Dark"
> _______________________________________________