[Fists] Re: Slow-speed Nets? Elmers needed.

[W1EOF]

> When is your net starting?? What freq??? What day of the week?? I
> am ready. I
> have been NCS for one FISTS net or another since the beginning.
> If you really
> want to put up, take over the Century net on Sunday. It has gone
> without an
> NCS since the four of us that kept it going gave it up a couple
> of years ago.
> Talk is cheap. You have the job...........Al/W8FAX 2192   EH


Al,

First off: I'm trying to be helpful. I don't think I said anything that
should be construed as attacking you or implying that you are not doing
anything to help. If that's the way it sounded to you, then I'm sorry for
the mis-communication. Your email to me is abrassive like you're pissed off
at me, or the world, or whatever. I believe we're on the same side, and that
we want the same things for ham radio.

As far as nets, although I had thought about starting one I have instead
been doing my best to participate in existing nets. I have no reason to
believe that a net I would start would be any better, or any more sucessful
than an existing one.

I didn't know about the Century Net. I've only been a member of FISTS for
3-4 years, so it might be that it was dying just as I came aboard. Can you
fill me in on some details about it?  Who ran it with you? Do you know of
anyone else that is interested in participating as an NCS? I'll go searching
on the web to see what I can find out as well. I'd be happy to help as I can
to get it started again. I assume this was a FISTS net?

I'm also putting a webpage together with a list of CW nets, and specifically
slow nets. Yes there are lists on the net but I've found them to be old and
inaccurate and often you can't even raise the list editor/creator because
the email address is no good. Hardly a good way to promote slow nets!

Just so you know, here's what I do to promtoe CW:

* Get on the air as often as I can (I only do CW) and have a QSO
* Active in FISTS code buddy program.
* Try to have a decent percentage (10-20%) of them in the Novice band and/or
at slow speed.
* Promote FISTS low-key but consistently with every QSL/letter and often in
QSO
* Participate in slow-speed nets as my schedule allows.
* Haven't yet, but in the process of getting setup with the internet thing
to help teach no-code people learn CW.

So that's what *I* am doing. I don't know what you do for a living, but at
the $ rate I get for my work, my time is not cheap. ABove I only listed what
I do to promote CW. It doesn't list emergency communications work, or work
with a local radio museum, or the other things I volunteer for. I'm not
bragging but I do have a good understanding of what I put into ham radio,
and it's not cheap.

73,

Mark W1EOF