[Elecraft] CW Program

[Denis Dimick]

It's my feeling that what has hurt our hobby the most in the past has 
been peoples lack to accept change. 

Case in point:

I used to think CW was a waste of time. Only the "old timers" used it and 
I had very little use for it. Learned just enough to pass my 
novice and NEVER used it. Spent most of my time doing VHF/UHF and packet. 
Then discovered the internet 10 years ago and stopped doing Ham radio.

Now ten years later and a bit older, I just had one of the worst field 
days ever. (2002) After spending hours trying to work SSB and not getting 
more then 20 contacts, all the time watching the CW guys rack them up, I'm 
back to CW. I've just updated to Gen. and working on my Extra. However 
since I spend all of my working day on computers, I look at intergrating a 
computer into my Ham radio hobby. 

Look at it this was.. We only get 300baud via packet on HF, yet via 
computer controled CW you can get a much higher through-put. All that 
needs to be done is for the tools to be created and given away. Look at 
how RTTY and the other modes have taken off.

I'm not even pointing out the fun of building my own radio (K1) and other 
radios that can be built in a few hours, ie: tuna tin, etc. 

Denis


On Mon, 6 Jan 2003, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> Denis Dimick wrote:
> 
> >Seems like we should be happy to have new 
> >ways to do an old job. 
> >
> 
> I agreee, Denis. Variety adds spice to the hobby. Using a computer and 
> software (as with PSK31) gives us new ways to play. Not that the old 
> ways won't always be avaialble too.
> 
> Just as some folks prefer and hand key or bug and to copy by ear, others 
> may not.  Choice is good!
> 
> 73, Phil  
> 
>