QRE: [Elecraft] Slow Code Watering Holes?

[Kevin Rock]

Hear, hear Mr. D'Eau Claire,
    I think it is a lot of fun to get folks on the air using my favorite  
mode.  If it had not been for the hard, patient work of a few very fine  
operators I would not be as happy with CW as I am today.  Their skill at  
pushing me along bit by bit made CW FUN!  I try to tell others about how  
much excitement there is in amateur radio by hearing a distant signal  
amongst the noise and picking out a like minded soul to share my thoughts  
of life and living.
    During FD a day or so ago I warmed up by going to the Novice bands and  
working the slower folks.  Then to keep stretching I moved down the band  
until I had reached 7000 kHz.  I felt I had learned a great deal since I  
only skipped one or two operators who were Hell bent for leather sending  
at 10^6 wpm.  Last year I skipped far more of them so I seem to be  
catching on just a wee bit.
    However, paying forward for all I owe seems the only way to show my  
respect to my patient mentors.  I owe it to them to pass the flame on to  
the next folks seeking the calling.  If I don't care about them who will?   
If I don't work to make their code better, as my mentors did for me, how  
will I ever find someone to work when my friends have passed on?  I am in  
this for the long haul so a little more work is not a hardship.  It is my  
way of helping others enjoy a hobby which has given me a great deal.
    Kevin.  KD5ONS


On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:15:41 -0700, Ron D'Eau Claire  
<rondec at easystreet.com> wrote:

> Every Ham worth the name (IMHO) who would answer their QRS CQ would be a  
> FB
> "code buddy". It's too bad we no longer have the Novice license and  
> bands,
> because it gave everyone a place to congregate while developing CW  
> skills.
> But since we don't it should be no surprise to hear a slow signal almost
> anywhere.
>
> Now, it's rather impolite to answer someone who just sent a CQ at 25 wpm  
> at
> 5 wpm and expect him (or her) to QRS. However, I often run across a very
> slowly sent CQ and I'll usually stop and answer at his/her speed, just  
> as I
> used to spend time in the Novice bands when they were busier. And I think
> it's my obligation to reply at the other station's speed, when he/she is
> sending slower than I am.
>
> For me, Ham radio is all about having fun. The best way I've ever found  
> to
> have fun, no matter what I'm doing, is to help other people have fun too.
>
> Maybe I'm just out of date, but the world of Ham radio I was introduced  
> to
> in the 1950's stressed cooperation over competition. I still cringe when  
> I
> see the term "radiosporting" since sports virtually always put  
> competition
> first. (At least the way I played football did, Hi!) And that includes  
> most
> of the contests. It's just darn impolite to expect a lot of callers to a
> very slow signal when almost everyone out there is trying to rack up a  
> lot
> of QSOs.
>
> Some people seem to practice "contesting" even when there is no contest.
> Their CW skills don't involve being able to do more than complete a
> high-speed exchange of name, RST and QTH followed by "73 dit-dit". They
> remind me that "Novice" operators come in all guises. Some never learn
> anything else because it doesn't interest them just as some Hams will  
> never
> touch a key.
>
> The good news is that there are a lot of operators on the CW bands who  
> feel
> as I do; It shows up loud and clear in their on-air habits.
>
> Ron AC7AC