[Elecraft] New Contest Transceiver [OT]

[Bill Tippett]

N7AF:
 >There is way less casual CW operation than there was in '79, '89, and
even '99.  Except for contesting and DXing, CW is close to being dead.
Foreign phones, RTTY & data stations in the lower portions of the CW
bands and the ARRL/FCC elimination of CW-testing will finish it off.  If
I thought there was any future in casual CW operation, I would have a K3
on order now.

         I disagree.  I primarily like CW contests and
low-band DX-ing, but I also like QRP backpacking.  I've
**never**found a problem having as many QSOs as I wanted
by simply calling CQ or listening near the QRP frequencies,
especially on 20/30/40, and that's with only 2-5 watts
(depending on which rig I was using) to marginal antennas.

         As far as RTTY and data modes, there are very few
using these modes on my favorite band 160.  The mode of
choice there is the original digital mode (CW)...because
it simply works better in the QRN and QSB characteristic
of Topband.

         If all you're interested in is casual CW, in my
opinion a K3 might be overkill for that.  You won't use
the performance you're paying for, and a K2, K1, KX1
or almost any rig will be perfectly adequate.  KD1JV's
little ATS-3 (2W xcvr in an Altoids tin) is one of my
personal favorites for ultra lightweight portable use.

         Unless propagation is totally closed, try a few
CQs around 14060 or 7040 next time and I'll bet you'll
find as many CW QSOs as you want!

                                 73,  Bill  W4ZV