Fwd: Re: [Elecraft] Solder in Elecraft kits

[Jim Brown]

>Yes, I was serious.  If you disagree, rather than
>insult me, why not make an intelligent argument to the
>contrary?  Many others did.

OK, I will. This is not a personal attack, it is a 
statement of philosophy. Notice that I took names off this 
post and the previous one. 

 I've been a ham for 52 years. One of the first things I 
bought was a soldering iron and solder. In the years 
since, I don't think I've ever been without either. Yeah, 
I know ham radio has changed, and it isn't about building 
things, or wiring things, or fixing things, or testing 
things, or even understanding things. It's about buying 
radios, and convincing oneself that the radio one has 
purchased is the best, and don't bother me with logic. 
Heck, guys are even buying coax cables pre-made, and the 
cables that connect radios to computers are selling for 
$25 on EBay! 

I'm sorry if you or anyone else is offended, but to me, a 
ham without solder and soldering iron is indistinguishable 
from a CBer. Obviously, that thought doesn't apply to 
those who because of disability cannot solder. But one of 
my ham buddies when I was a kid was totally blind. That 
didn't prevent him from soldering, or from climbing on his 
roof. So that's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

73,

Jim Brown K9YC