[Fists] Let's Walk The Walk!

Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:26:16 -0500

Hi, Stan--

I agree with everything you say in your message. I'd take this one step
further, though, and say that in addition to all of this we need to find
ways to encourage other hams to use Morse Code. There are several ways we
can do this:

- set up a Morse code training class,
- give a presentation at your club meeting on how to adjust and use a bug,
- if you use paddles, talk about the use of paddles with a keyer,
- set up a Morse code practice schedule on your club repeater,
- set up a Morse code net on your club repeater,
- volunteer to help Tech Plusses get on the HF bands,
- etc., etc. etc.

I know this is going to be frustrating, but I think with some hard work and
gentle encouragement, we can increase the number of CW ops out there.

73!

Dan KB6NU
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President, ARROW Comm. Assn. (www.w8pgw.org)
HF CW op (FISTS #9342)
Ham radio bookseller (www.QTB.Com/hamradio/)
Read my ham radio blog at www.blurty.com/~kb6nu .

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stanley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 9:35 AM
Subject: [Fists] Let's Walk The Walk!

> I promised myself that I would stay out of this thread on "Loss or Gain"
> of the CW Bands. It seems to me that all we do is talk the talk,
> not walk the walk. Most of us hang out around the "Magic" .058
> frequencies and don't venture outside those sacred limits. How about
> just calling CQ down around .030 or maybe .045? It's amazing that you
> might just find a good CW contact there. The fellow
> you work probably doesn't have any of those "Magic" numbers, but, so
> what? If we are, indeed, a Morse Preservatiion Society,
> who cares about numbers? Awards are fine, but after all, what is our
> purpose, collecting numbers? It is PRESERVING and PROMOTING
> the use of Morse Code!
> I, myself, have decided to return to the Basics of back when I started.
> I sold my paddle, and am using my trusty old  Vibroplex
> Blue Racer from 1955. I feel like a real CW ham again. It was difficult,
> at first, but now, it feels like a part of me. CW is more
> fun and I am running into more and more Hams who are using thrir bugs.
> That separates the men from the boys. True CW,
> in my opinion.
> IT is so easy to get a license now that it has no meaning and does not
> create the feeling of achievement. When I became a ham in 1946
> I had to go to the FCC and take a test infront of the FCC Examiner. I
> had to pass a code test of 13 WPM, and then take a theory
> exam where I remember, I had to draw a circuit of a Colpitts Oscillator,
> a one tube regenerative receiver, and then design a Dipole
> andtenna from a frequency the exam called for. That was really
> challenging and I admit, I failed it the first time, and took it again in
> 30 days and passed it. When that ticket came in the mail, my parents
> took me out to lunch to celebrate because that was a real
> achievement. Not anymore!!! All you need now, is your checkbook or
> credit card and a note from your mother. There is the
> difference between then and now. It is no longer an achievement where
> one who wants to become a ham has to have the bruning
> desire to climb any mountain to get there. It is too easy and that is
> exemplified by everything we do now with being politically
> correct. The world is getting dumber instead of smarter, in my opinion.
> When I used to hire engineers at my last place of employment, I had many
> apply that couldn't spell. That's our modern
> society.
> I guess I've been on the soapbox long enough. In conclusion, anybody
> want to have another CW Bug Sprint like the one I ran
> two years ago???? I am about ready myself and my Blue Racer is all
> warmed up. This time I will have a better first prize
> than a coffee mug.
> Best of 73's to all and let's just keep operating and not just collect
> numbers on .058.
> 161 de Stan W5ZF No. 6183
>
>
>
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