[CW] Re: And now the other shoe drops...

[Mark Danner]

Well said.  

Presonally, I would rather see the requirement maintained, but that
really seems like a fantasy at this stage.  On the other hand, I have to
remember that the people I talk to on CW are there because they want to
be there and enjoy using the code, not because they are required to.  As
long as the non-voice portions of the bands are maintained, I'll be
somewhat happy. 

Like John said, though, it does place the responsibility of getting new
CW'rs (I think I just invented a new word!) on us.  If we really want to
do this right, though, we have to set a great example for those who will
be discovering CW through our efforts and not through the FCC's.  Solid
operating procedures, "disciplined fists", etc. will help make our end
of the spectrum more desirable.  Seems like we can eventually claim a
higher percentage of retention (those who continue to operate CW) than
we can now.

I'm kinda glad I lost my rig's mic.  

Oh, well, back to work....

Mark, AB7MP




-----Original Message-----
From: cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:cw-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of John J. McDonough
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 5:19 AM
To: cw at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [CW] Re: And now the other shoe drops...

> Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:50:31 -0400
> From: "Rich Dailey, N8UX." <redailey at alltel.net>
> Subject: [CW] And now the other shoe drops...
>
> It was just a matter of time.

Peter Zenker, DL2FI, a very well respected QRPer and founder of the
DL-QRP 
Club, reported at Dayton this year that he saw an increased interest in
CW 
when Germany dropped the requirement.  Apparently new HFers saw the 
advantages of CW and got more interested in learning when it was for
their 
own advantage, rather than just passing a requirement.

I think we have all known that the FCC would drop the requirement sooner
or 
later.  There is really no point in getting your panties all in a bunch
over 
something you can't do anything about.  Now the thing to do is to
welcome 
these no-code generals onto HF, and show them the fun and benefits of
CW. 
Let's face it.  All these guys who spend their evenings fignting the QRM
on 
20 phone have no idea what they are missing.  This new crop of generals
will 
open up a big market of folks who still have a bit of an open mind.
Instead 
of looking down on them, let's bring them into the fold.

A few of these guys will be technically savvy, and some will have the 
potetial to invent the next Tayloe mixer or start up the next Elecraft. 
Let's work to make sure they are playing for our team.

72/73 de WB8RCR    http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr
didileydadidah     QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35



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