[CW] Seen on another forum

[K0HB]

Quoted below is a nice piece I saw on another forum. Well written!


TITLE: "SO NOW YOU'RE HF-ACTIVE" 

By Heath Roberts, KE5FRF 


"Wow, I never thought this day would come. The FCC finally flexed its
regulatory muscle and notified the world that US Amateur Radio operators
will no longer be required to pass a Morse Code proficiency test to indulge
in the world below 50 Mhz. What does this mean for ME?" 

This is a fair an honest question that many Technician class amateurs will
be faced with in the coming weeks and months as American hams learn to
accept the end of a long standing tradition and the beginning of a new era.
It is natural to be excited about the new privelages that you will be
granted. You are eager to plan your new HF station, purchase some new gear,
and maybe even erect a tower and directional antenna for that DX band
you've been hearing such great things about. There is so much out there to
do and be a part of, you don't know where to begin. 

I can assure you, this is a road that everyone has traveled in their quest
as an amateur operator, code or not. You'll be certain to recieve the wise
counsel of some older fellow who has more than a few tips to share. A
friend who upgraded his license to General last year will offer his insight
into propogation and techniques for busting a pile-up. The local club will
be offering a class on operating procedures. No worries, for there is a lot
of resources at your disposal. All you must do is display a willingness to
learn. 

As exciting as the news is for you and as eager as you are, you can't help
but wonder what mode you will like the best. Everyone says that PSK-31
offers the most efficient use of the spectrum and can cut through a host of
propogation conditions that other modes can't. You saw an Extra class ham
on Field Day working a digital station and this was the mode he used. It
was interesting and he sure looked like he was having fun, but it kind of
reminded you of an internet chat room like QRZ.COM. 

Your buddy, the guy who upgraded his license before the new rules, swears
that SSB is the funnest mode. He barely squeaked by on his code test and
never looked back. He regularly checks into the WAS nets and is close to
his goal on 80 meters and already confirmed 40 meters. There certainly
won't be a lack of new friends to make on phone. Hmm...maybe this will
become your favorite mode too. 

But there's one other fellow who keeps showing up and offering you
suggestions that make a lot of sense but you're just not sure if you have
it in you. He's the local CW guru and he spent the last two years coaxing
you to master the code before the requirement was dropped, but you failed
to heed his advice. You know it is probably too late to learn it now, the
new rules go into effect next week, but you must admit that with the
"pressure" off the idea of casually studying the code is intriguing. You've
read some stuff on the internet about colorful figures in the history of
amateur radio and telegraphy like Hiram Percy Maxim and T.R. McElroy.
You've watched your CW friend use his Blue Racer during a contest and was
fascinated by his skills. You feel a certain connection to this storied
tradition even when you tap out "SOS" on your desk with your index finger.
What is stopping you from turning your years of procrastination into
something you think might benefit you in the long run? 

My friend the answer is simple. Nothing is stopping you, nothing at all
except the same thing that hindered every CW op who ever "dit his first
dah." Learning Morse Code is a work in progress. It is an endeavor of
achievement that has a definate beginning but no real end. No matter what
skill level your CW associates may brag to possess, they all make mistakes
and have plenty of room for improvement. Just knowing this should set your
mind at ease and give you inspiration! 

Yep, you finally got that new HF rig via UPS delivery. The tower isn't up
yet, but you managed to hoist a coax fed dipole into the old oak tree in
the back yard. You cut it for 40 meters in hopes that it will offer the
most playing time at this point in the sunspot cycle. Everything is hooked
up and ready to go. 

Power "ON"....Shschshhhschhtishahshhi....Static. "Hmmm what frequency is
that? Oh, out of band."....Zzschshizzz...dadidadit dadadidah...dadidadit
dadadidah. Oh boy, you recognize that familiar sound. Someone is calling CQ
in code. Well, at least you know your antenna and feedline are working ok.
Tune up...tune down...tune up. Nothing but static crashes and faint voices.
You can't make anything out. Everything seems to be in order, filters
configured for SSB. This is 40 meters, and you are on the lower sideband.
"Oh well, I guess the band is dead". 

So you tune back down to the CW subband. Amazingly, as you move back to
that CQ frequency, you must hear at least three ongoing QSOs along the way.
Two of them are way to fast to make heads or tails, but one guy is sending
slow enough that even YOU can copy a few of his characters. "Wow", you
think. "I could do THAT!" You put the headphones on and lean back in your
chair, close your eyes, and listen to the rhythm. You only know a handful
of letters...S,O,C,Q....uh..uh...well SOS and CQ...but you are amazed that
every time you hear these characters you immediately recognize them. "Hey,
26 letters in the alphabet, and I already know four!" You think to
yourself, " Not bad." 

My friend, you've just been bitten by the bug. There is a mystery behind
all of those funny tones in the ether, and we've all found a childlike
fascination with them at some point. You stand on the threshold of letting
it be more than a fleeting interest. You have an opportunity before you to
affiliate yourself with a tradition that has stood the test of time, and
will stand strong many, many more years despite the actions of the
Commission. Will you be just another op who jumps on board the sideband
rollercoaster of QRM and static, or will you take the time to learn and
develop a skill that will stay with you a lifetime? 

This message is brought to you in hopes that you will consider the
opportunities that CW brings. There is a large group of hams young and old
whose only desire is to see the art and skill of telegraphy passed on for
as long as it is feasable. Back before the FCC R&O, many of these folks
seemed abrasive, but you must realize that they knew this day was coming
but wanted nothing more than to delay it for as long as they could. Their
desire is not to hold back deserving and ambitious hams who have much to
offer. It never was. They simply seek to maintain the traditions which are
the history of this hobby. They want to preserve and foster a mode of
communication that they love and are proud to be a part of. Were their
concerns and their motivations so unworthy? 

Next time you fire up that brand new rig and hear the tell-tale music of
Samuel Morse's creation, think about these things, and consider getting in
touch with that fellow with the Vibroplex. I'm sure he'll be glad to invite
you to his shack to show off his bug collection, and no doubt he'd be the
first to take the time out to teach you those other 22 letters and some
numbers to boot. Just think about it.
_________________
73, KE5FRF