[Fists] The Senior Mode

Sun, 31 Aug 2003 14:36:29 +0100

Agreed, Dan.
It is 2003. The morse test war (for those who chose to fight it) is lost.
Fists must now transform itself into the 'first point of contact' for anyone
who develops an interest in the mode.  The same way that other modes (such
as RTTY / Data / Hellschreiber / TV / Satellites) all have their own
associations which extend a helpful hand to the curious and the confused
newcomer.
You never hear any of these groups insisting that everybody must pass a
proficiency test for their favourite mode before being allowed on HF, and I
can't understand why the morse lobby should be any different.
Sure, morse is an excellent mode...I will always love it, but we must now
reform into a group which presents a welcoming and helpful face to anybody
who wonders what all those mysterious 'secret agent' beeps at the bottom of
the bands mean, and want to find out more.
If we attempt to fight a rearguard action against 'no code', we will simply
be identified with the past. Personally I want my favourite mode to continue
and grow into the 21st century, to continue the long and proud tradition of
what I regard as 'The Senior Mode'.  For this we will need new blood, which
we will not get if we come to be seen as an embittered bunch of elitist 'old
groaners'.

All the best,
Chris G4PDJ

----- Original Message -----
From: Dan KB6NU <[email protected]>
To: Chris Redding <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2003 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Fists] garbage, etc.

> Hey, Chris--
>
> I'm glad to see that I'm not the lone voice crying out in the wilderness.
:)
>
> As you note, many guys now simply pass the test and then never touch a key
> or paddle ever again. That's just as bad as not ever having to pass the
test
> at all. FISTS needs to be in the forefront of promoting CW use, not in the
> forefront of complaining about the elimination of the Morse requirement.
>
> 73!
>
> Dan KB6NU

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