[Elecraft] The Changing World of Radio

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

While it's great to see continued, even growing, interest in CW on the Ham
bands, and the efforts of folks like the Maritime Historical Radio society
maintaining historic commercial stations like KPH for special events*, there
is the occasional reminder that our world is changing. 

Richard "Dick" Dillman, W6AWO, QSP this message from the Italian station IAR
on another reflector. I thought the CW buffs here would appreciate seeing
it. 

Imagine, if you will, a strong, clean CW note with these words:

CQ CQ CQ DE IAR IAR
THIS IS THE FINAL TRANSMISSION FROM ROMA RADIO MORSE
SERVICE. WE CONCLUDE OUR WATCHKEEPING AFTER MANY YEARS
OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE WITH PRIDE AND SADNESS ON 
OCTOBER THE 31ST. TELECOM ITALIA COAST STATIONS WISHES
ALL SEAFARERS FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS. WE SALUTE
ALL WHO HAVE SERVED OUR PROFESSION WITH SKILL AND
DEDICATION THROUGH THE YEARS. =
DE IAR IAR AR VA

The commercial stations are going silent because it's good business to use
other modes and technologies. 

We Hams are not driven by such mundane considerations. We continue to pound
brass simply because it interests us. I don't believe there can be any
better reason than that. 

Ron AC7AC

* http://www.radiomarine.org/kph-proj.html