Fw: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy

[George Morton]

Gents - I hope this is what stirred up the pot!  Brgds, Geo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Morton" <n7hr at bendbroadband.com>
To: "Jake" <n7wo at arrl.net>; <wb7woh1 at comcast.net>; "Guy Lewis" 
<guyl at coho.net>; "Steve Snyder W7CM" <w7cm at comcast.net>; <n7vc at netzero.com>
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 3:21 PM
Subject: Fw: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy


>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "George Morton" <n7hr at bendbroadband.com>
> To: "Peter Markavage" <manualman at juno.com>; <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, September 12, 2008 3:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Upgrade controversy
>
>
>> 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"
>>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>