[Elecraft] AFX the hard way

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

All the recent chatter about AFX providing better copy of signals buried in
noise reminded me of this passage from an early commercial shipboard radio
officer's letter to his brother about copying CW through the QRN-laden
equatorial region of the Pacific ocean where signals from North American
shore stations grew very weak in the noise: 

 

" .the signals are sometimes so faint that the rustle of water many feet
below our cabin makes them unreadable. so we get huge blankets and twist
them around our brain box. It would look strange to see us sitting there
with the blanket over phones and head, our jaw hanging limp, every door and
window wedged. Add to this that the mouth begins to water but you dare not
close it for the roar of the muscles performing their duties would perhaps
drown out the signals." 

 

The narrative goes on to explain that upon reaching the Panama canal zone he
was barely able to hear past the ringing in his ears. 

 

How times have changed :-)

 

Ron AC7AC