[Elecraft] O.T.: End of (another) era

[Edward R Cole]

I don't know how long this thread will be tolerated, but I will try 
to add a few comments (mainly to "Dyarnes" <w7aqk at cox.net>):

Definition of ending or disappearing is subjective, at best.  Sure 
there are a few AM enthusiasts out there but one would not really 
consider AM as a thriving active mode.  Maybe a test is to see how 
easy it is to find a station running a mode.

You can hear CW almost any time of the day on a daily basis (unless a 
CME has destroyed the ionosphere).  Use that same test on AM.  Also 
AM has not disappeared from commercial use like CW:  Still in use on 
BC band, Shortwave broadcast, and for VHF aircraft.  But there are 
plenty examples where morse code has be discontinued.

I don't expect CW to disappear overnight from ham radio, and like the 
rebuilders and restorers of "Old radios" may linger on 
indefinitely.  But with the exception of high power transmitting, 
tubes are history.  And this hold-out is under attack by LD-MOS 
technology for high RF power amplifiers.  I still use a 8877 for QRO 
on 2m-eme but probably would not start building one today in favor of 
building a $250 LD-MOS 1200w amp that drives with 3w and only 
requires 50v  vs 4kV.  Technology!

Regarding digital modes and their "conversation ability":  psk-31 and 
rtty both are nice for this.  JT65 was not designed for 
messaging.  It was designed to handle the minimum information 
required for a valid eme contact.  EME is not conversational for most 
stations (there are a few big-guns that can carry on a conversation 
using CW).  But JT65 can be modified to handle plain text messages so 
not functionally impossible.  The recent creation of JT56HF and use 
on HF would predict such as forthcoming.

The objection to digital is to its not being a real-time interactive 
experience, yet many of you participate on chat rooms.  Keyboarding 
is an  alternative how ever it is technically accomplished.  The real 
truth is many on this reflector are avid CW operators and "like 
it".  So why justify that?  I like eme...you do not have to.  I like 
designing and building smt level stuff...you do not have to.  You like CW...

It really comes down to whether CW will attract "new blood".  That 
must happen for it to survive as an activity.  No one can predict the 
future....yes, that is all BS!  But that is one of the fun things of 
ham radio...BSing (chewing the rag, whatever).

Final note: I got my Novice license in 1958 and did learn CW; later 
passed my General, Advanced, and Extra.  I also hold a 2nd Class 
Radiotelephone with radar endorsement.  45+ years in electronics as a 
professional.  I own all that to ham radio which captured my 
imagination at age 12.  How well is ham radio doing with youth, today?


73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
dubususa at gmail.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"