[Fists] Demographics: more

[ke9v@yahoo.com]

Dan's point that activity on the bands has been particularly low is
well taken. Cookouts, vacation, fishing, working, etc. have conspired
with crummy band conditions due to summertime noise and poor
propagation as we slide into solar minimums to make the low-end of the
bands seem mighty lonely these days.

And given the added focus on the popularity of CW these days, this is
a **bad** time not to fill the bands with the sounds of Morse.

Perhaps it's time to consider a challenge?

What say FISTS sponsors a "365" award. The rules would be simple: make
one CW contact a day for an entire year. That QSO should include a
mention of the '365' challenge so others will find out about it. That
should give anyone who spins the dial down into our part of the band
an earful of beeping.

It might also knock some of the rust off that sloppy sending that's
been heard on the bands of late. Nothing like a little daily CW
practice to keep a FIST clean, eh?

Think a daily CW contact for a year is too tough a goal? Consider
Keynote Columnist John Shannon, K3WWP. He just completed 9 FULL YEARS
OF A QRP CW QSO A DAY....

http://home.alltel.net/johnshan/

What say FISTS, crummy idea? Got a better one? Let's hear it!

-- 
Jeff, KE9V
FISTS #6641