[CW] No like code

[W2AGN]

On 4 Aug 2003 at 20:20, N2EY@aol.com wrote:

> 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


More advantages. 

1. The people you QSO on CW are NOT the whining crybabies that are always 
saying they can't learn, or don't want to try. 

2. I have never heard anyone on CW end a QSO with "I'm destinated, see 
you on the flip side."  (HTs are the bane of Ham Radio!)

3. Did anyone mention it was fun? Oh yeah, well, it is.

The only way they'll get my key is to pry it from my cold dead fingers.

---
+-++-++-++-++-+   John L. Sielke
|W||2||A||G||N|        http://www.w2agn.net [UPDATED]
+-++-++-++-++-+    Ex-K3HLU,TF2WKT,W7JEF,W4MPC,N4JS