[Fists] N1EA in uniform / Code Copying Contest & Net Info

[Fred Adsit]

For those who may not have noticed, you will see David Ring Jr. N1EA on
Page 4 of the FISTS Keynote, Issue 3, 2003. The photo is a little muddy
but FISTS dues are low and the Keynote saves money by using the format
they do. David is operating the FISTS operating position at Marconi
Special Event Station KM1CC using a straight key donated by the Italian
government to KM1CC as a token of appreciation.

Above that is an article that includes some information about the
W2"RUFnREADY" code copying contest at the Rochester NY Hamfest this
Saturday, sponsored by RAWNY. Clara Reger W2RUF was the manager of the NY
State CW traffic net (NYS), a net which I managed for a while, following
W2CS as I recall, after her death. The originator of the now common "33"
signature adopted by YLRL was a hard act to follow.

The 60 WPM certificates mentioned were K2KIR and KN1K, old traffic
handling friends of mine who can copy me into the ground. Come to think of
it, so can Gary W2CS. Unlike when they ran out of tape at 60 wpm in 1987,
the sponsor seems to have plenty now and will run it up to 85 WPM for
anyone who would like to give 'er a try at Rochester on May 31 at the
Convention. Contact WA2FKV for details. I cannot go this year or I'd give
you the time and room for the contest. Contact cklutz@buffnet.net for
those details.

Bud K2KIR used to get more press than he does now - I learned how to write
rapidly following his system (results in beautiful flowing printing) and
how to use a Net Control sheet using hex nuts to keep track of what freq
various Eastern Area Net stations were on, which led me to use hex nuts
for all the nets I used to run. The times I accidentally swept them onto
the desk or floor - well, those we will not discuss. Needless to say, I
lost track of where everybody was. :-). It was also when I found that CW
traffic ops had a sense of humor and great patience in helping me get back
on track. The camaraderie and mutual respect of CW NTS and independent net
operators is the greatest in ham radio. The operation on the nets is very
snappy. Learning it is easy. The operators who show up at picnics -
including the majority who are phone net operators - are the nicest gang
of ordinary folks you will ever meet - and they do what they do like
professionals, happily, for no pay.

I am currently inactive on the nets. It became a business and I burned
out. But I miss the whole bunch who hang in there day after day, year
after year. If you know a CW traffic handler, ask if they would invite you
for an evening watching them operate on the "ladder" of nets. You will see
the National Traffic System is just that, a System. You will not believe
how much goes on, how disciplined the operators are -- and you may just
get hooked. With characters like me bailing out for a rest, they really
could use some help.

73
Fred NY2V
ex-W2ZOJ '48