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

[Russell Ruby]

Ron,

I enjoyed your postings on this topic.

I was out of active participation in amateur radio for
about 30 years.

My only amateur radio things which survive from my early days
are the vibroplex original bug my parents gave me when I passed
my general exam, and guess what ?  My ragchewers club certificate !

Also surviving is the TenTec PM3A which was my last serious venture
into amateur radio back in 1970/1971 when I started daydreaming about
"trail radio".  

Not hard to guess what got me back into amateur radio.   While
visiting the new downtown Seattle public library at its grand opening
in May 2004, I paused to look through the latest copies of QST and CQ.
I saw a photo of a fella wearing gloves on the trail operating a KX1 !!
I was blown away.  I looked for every scrap I could find about the KX1.
Less than a month later, in one session I passed all the exams to be
relicensed as an amateur extra.  I must say, the exams seem a lot
easier than they were in the old days :)  I'm thinking all the study for
my amateur extra back then - which I never got around to taking - must
have stuck with me !

Up to now, I have been using my bug and PM3A.  But I just finished
building my KX1 and am about to head out on the trail - in the glacier peak
wilderness in Washington.  I know, possible nasty weather and all
that, but it will be fun !

russ  w7au