[Elecraft] restrictive CQs? SKCC, Fists etc. - protocol on who we can play with

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

David wrote:
I can't speak for others, but in my case, a rag chew is more difficult that
a FISTS QSO.  FISTS QSOs, in my experience have been pretty straight
forward; name, greetings, rst, qth, rig, power, ant, and maybe wx info.  Not
exciting, on invigorating for most folks, but it is a lot for those of us
struggling with the code. 

---------------------------

You are not alone. Working with some new Hams who are dedicated brass
pounders, I was reminded of that in recent years. Back when I was struggling
along with my first QSO's back in the 50's we had the Novice bands, and they
were *busy* bands populated by slow, shaky fists whose thrill was getting
through a "name-qth-RST-wx-73" QSO. At least we all knew we were beginners
together (Back then no Novice license ran over 1 year. It was upgrade of be
off the air). 

It takes practice to learn to think about what to say while sending CW, just
as speaking in a new language takes practice to think of what and how to say
something while finding and pronouncing the words. It's not a trivial task
and it is why I was thrilled when I was nominated for the Rag Chewer's Club.


FISTS and similar groups do a wonderful job providing a surrogate Novice
band for operators of all classes who are getting into CW. I applaud them
wholeheartedly. They are filling a real need to encourage and promote CW.
Some of those members will never go on to using CW as a language. Instead
they may focus on those simple, rote exchanges to become "top gun"
DX-chasers or contesters, developing the skill to hammer out multiple QSOs
per minute using computers and all the other stuff involved in that sort of
operating. That takes experience and skill too. 

Some will move on to chewing the rag and developing the ability to use CW as
a language to hold an easy-going conversation with others. 

Many will do some of both. 

Ron AC7AC