[Elecraft] Reaching Across the Chronological Divide

[Fred Jensen]

The CWops group has a program [CW of course] called "QTX" where you keep 
track of and report the number of QSO's you've had each month that 
lasted over 20 mins.  There's also a mini-QTX category for >10 min 
QSO's.  When I first decided to participate, I was limited pretty much 
by available QSO's.  Now, I'm much more limited by available time to 
participate.  Tiny resurgence in the Art of the Rag Chew?

Competition is a motivator for many young non-hams.  #3 grandson once 
came in while I was in a CW NAQP and asked me what I was doing.  I told 
him it was a contest, and his first response was, "Cool!  How do you 
win?"  They all carry the "magic of radio" in a pocket in their cargo 
shorts.  What you can do with a ham radio that you can't do with a cell 
phone or iPad may be of more interest to them that the radio itself.

73,
Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW
Sparks NV DM09dn
Washoe County

On 12/22/2019 8:37 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> I think we need to be focusing on the personal aspect of one on one 
> communications with someone who we have never met - without the need 
> for the internet, Facebook or any other internet app.
> It is a thrill to me to be able to have a conversation with someone 
> new via ham radio.
>
> Of course, even that element is fading out in ham radio with the 
> emphasis on quick DX contacts or contest points.  Ragchewing with 
> someone new to get to know something about them personally or their 
> location is what gives me the thrill of ham radio.  So sad to see that 
> element being diminished.
>
> Bring ragchewing back, and I am not talking about the nets on 80 and 
> 40 meters, it is reaching out to someone new and telling a bit about 
> ourselves and getting the same in return.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>