[CW] Do you use a station monitor?

[genewill@ordata.com]

     Having seen station monitors in all the "very best" of hamshacks, I
found a good deal on a Yaesu VO-301 Monitor Scope. I read the manual,
then got out several ARRL Handbooks, then Googled the internet. Nil
on how I could use it. Wouldn't work on incoming signals ... the last
two guys I gave a 598C to just kept right on going. Maybe they
couldn't copy at the same speed they were CQing.

     I saw many pictures of pretty voice waveshapes, but those do me
absolutely no good. Band monitoring would be of passing interest --
it was kind of fun on my Icom -- but I don't really miss it. I
wouldn't know the first thing about connecting it to a Corsair II for
a frequency display.

     So, gents (and ladies, of course) do any of you use a station monitor
on a regular basis? For what? Is there even any use to have one in a
CW shack?

     Oh yes, it's only rated to 500w, which is about where I ragchew on a
crummy band. But when I come upon a pileup, I'm kW in a flash, so I'm
sure it would last only one pileup. I guess I could rig up some sort
of relay or switch to "mute" it when I send, but that would defeat
the whole purpose, right? Assuming I can find a purpose.

73 Gene N7YW
99.44% CW since 1958 (ex-K7DBV)