[CW] No like code

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/4/03 11:33:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
psykey@okcforum.org writes:


> Here are some advantages that help make me a fan of CW:
> 
> * CW is narrower than most modes, making it a spectrum-efficient choice.
> 
> * CW can "get through" better than most modes, with a 13 dB advantage
>   over SSB.
> 
> * CW can be accomplished with remarkably simple equipment.  In this
>   particular category, it almost stands alone, unsurpassed.
> 
> * CW can be accomplished inexpensively.
> 
> * CW comprises a sort of universal language known by hams world-wide.
> 
> * CW is fun.


Agreed all around. Here are some others:

* CW is a non-voice mode, but can be used without having to look at a 
display. (IOW you can drive and work CW, but not, say, PSK-31).

* CW can be useful for some people with disabiliies that make other modes 
difficult or impossible.

* CW training tools and methods now available make it easier to learn and use 
than ever before.

> 
> Here are some disadvantages that I, in all honesty, freely admit about CW:
> 
> * CW is not the narrowest mode, nor the best at getting through under
>   marginal conditions.  Various digital modes are surpassing it.

Whoa! A lot depends on what you mean by "marginal conditions"! For example, 
the various FSK and PSK modes can have a slight advantage against Gaussian 
noise but OOK has advantages when the noise includes phase distortion.

> 
> * CW requires learning before it can be useful.  For some people, the
>   necessary skills may take a great deal of time and effort to acquire.
> 
> * Although CW is a narrow mode, it becomes increasingly difficult to
>   use when other signals are close to it.
> 
> As far as I am concerned, the advantages of CW far outweigh its
> disadvantages.  In fact, I think CW earns remarkable overall usefulness
> in the amateur radio service.  This usefulness, in my opinion, should
> be responded to by taking some sort of steps to encourage hams to learn
> CW, and by providing for CW protection in various parts of various bands.
> Now that we'll be doing less of the former, we should arrange to do more
> of the latter.  The job of convincing the rest of the amateur radio
> community (and the FCC!) of the wisdom of doing so rests squarely on
> the shoulders of: us, the fans of CW.
> 

Agreed!


> If we are to convince the rest of the amateur community to support our
> favorite mode, we simply *must* be willing to discuss its advantages
> and disadvantages fairly and accurately.


Even though the other side often does not.

> 
> Someone recently criticized the no-coders for emphasizing what they
> perceive to be CW's disadvantages, while ignoring its advantages.  Are
> we to do the exact same thing in reverse?  Personally, I would be
> ashamed to.  I would rather have a little integrity.
> 
> 

Sounds like a plan

73 de Jim, N2EY


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