[Boatanchors] Re: upgrade question

[Michael Tauson]

I don't open my yap (or keyboard in this case) on this list very often
but this is a subject that tends to polarize the hobby (See that?
HOBBY.  That's why we're called "amateurs".) quite a bit.

Surplus or homebrew have always been what I've used - the latter not
uncommonly from parts from the former.  Most of this has been hollow
state - the classic boatanchor - but the PRC-74 and other sets are
solid state.  Should I reject them because of that?  Ummm ... nope.
Ain't gonna happen.

CW has been my sole operating mode.  Does the new no code requirement
mean I have to give up using code?  Ummm ... nope.  Ain't gonna
happen.

Do the new licensing requirements cheapen my ticket?  Ummm ... nope.
Ain't gonna happen because *I* know what I did to get it.  I faced the
FCC and their terrible code machine (onto which which the examiner
first put one of the radio telegraph license tapes by "mistake" ...
but it did make 13 wpm a comparative breeze afterward) and all the
rest of the really cool fun.  The fact that new licensees don't have a
code requirement has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on my ticket.

I was a Oahu's annual hamfest last year and all the brand new Novices
I ran into there already had code on the agenda, not because they had
to but because they *wanted* to.  Every key available was gone and in
the hands of these folks.  (Actually, they pretty much had death grips
on them.)  The age range was fairly broad but the single mindedness
was obvious.

Despite the new digital modes, CW is not going to go away any time
soon as long as that sort of attitude is preserved.  The older
equipment will still have a home as long as we (that's you and me,
folks) can show the new hams operating procedures that don't require
rigs that have more controls than the space shuttle.  It may not be
"green" but it still works and works pretty darned well in the right
hands.  It's up to us to see that the newer generations have those
"right hands."

You have a beef with the new licensing scheme?  Fine, take it up with
the FCC (and ARRL) rather than take it out on the folks who are coming
in under that scheme.  The newbies need support to help them move
forward not derision to chase them away.  Deal with it or ditch your
ticket and take up fly tying.  Your choice.

For myself, I still will continue with the hollow state
homebrew/surplus equipment and CW but I'm adding to the mix -
commercial equipment (HW/SB-10x looks promising at the moment) and SSB
& RTTY.  At the same time, I'm looking at building a rig around a DDS
VFO and other goodies to make a small but mighty pack and fixed
portable CW/SSB/RTTY set.  Oh, and I'll also be helping any new hams
who come along in whatever way I can.

Anyone who has a problem with this, take it to email.  We don't need a
flame war on the list.

Best regards,

Michael, WH7HG