[Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands.

[Glen Zook]

As one ages, especially when that person has been hanging out with the Ritis brothers too much (Arthur is the worst of the bunch), using a keyboard, for sending, is often the only way that one can continue to use CW as a viable mode.  


Frankly, because of osteoarthritis in my hands and wrists, I can only use a keyer for a very short period of time and a straight key even less.  Using a "bug" is out of the question.  However, at least so far, I don't have any problems typing.  So, using a keyboard is the method I use for almost all of the CW contacts that I make.  Now, I definitely do NOT use a computer for receiving!  The cerebral method has worked fine for over 58-years as a licensed amateur radio operator.


There is one "problem" with using a keyboard:  I often, automatically, "spell out" things or do not use the "normal" abbreviations, like "ES" for "and", and so forth.  Frankly, I edit, and publish, newsletters, write articles, etc., where one really needs to "spell out" things and, as such, I just "spell out" things, instead of using abbreviations, when I use the keyboard for sending CW unless I really concentrate and then I do use abbreviations.


I would prefer to use a keyer.  However, doing so does present some physical problems and, as a result, I often do use the "crutch" of a keyboard.


 Glen, K9STH 
Website: http://k9sth.net

      From: Rodger Singley <wq9nsc at live.com>
 To: Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com>; Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> 
Cc: Boat Anchors List <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
 Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2017 10:23 AM
 Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] The Silence of the Bands.
   
A lot of those guys ought to be just as happy running a simulation program so that they can pretend to be working lots of exotic stuff.

My activity level has gone way down because of loss of interest.  I started DXing, primarily CW, in 1975 right after I upgraded to General.  Actually my first real DX was my second contact on 15 meters while still a novice when VQ9MI from the Seychelles responded to my CQ.  A major part of the fun for me then was DXing was like fishing, a lot of time thinking and looking with the resultant thrill of landing a good one.  Using a spotting site with automatic radio tuning to that spot takes all of the fun out of it for me.

Although I can’t recreate the fun of using a Johnson Valiant and Hallicrafters SX-101 to chase DX in the 1970s environment I decided after a few months that being a keyboard cowboy was about as much fun as contacting someone via my smartphone.

Yes, at 57 I have officially turned into a grouchy old ham 😊