[Fists] A Proposal for Next Field Day

[Dan Harriman]

Hello Hans et al;

It seems to me that the reason for the novice portions
were to keep the slower, less comfortable operators
away from the high speed ops, sort of the 'slow lane'
of amateur radio, if you will.  That way, as they
learned, the slower ops weren't out there 'in the way'
and causing 'interference' to those more proficient.  

Novices were just that, novices, or beginners. Some
folks that held a higher license didn't copy CW very
fast, either. They knew that they could go to the
novice portion and have a qso at a slower, more
comfortable pace, without all the hassle and
intimidation of trying to have a qso with an OF that
wouldn't slow down, or one that would send CQ right
over the slower op. 

To get out of the 'comfort zone', one has to be in one
first.  It is true that if one doesn't press himself
to do more of what he is not capable of doing at the
moment, he may never progress. But like I just
mentioned, a person has to start somewhere. 

I remember the first time I ever had a CW qso. My
hands were sweating and I had only just started in the
qso.  Fortunately the other op sensed that and sent at
a speed that I could copy and get a bit more relaxed
with. He was an extra in the novice portion of 10
meters. If he had just kept speeding along, or if he
had told me what a lid I was or that I needed to speed
up, I would have put the key down and probably only
talk SSB. Thank goodness he didn't do that. 

Thank you Jim, WI9X, for that first CW contact, so
many years ago. I really appreciate the time and
patience you took to help me along the path of a great
hobby.

I don't think that FISTS tries to perpetuate slow
speed operation. I think that it tries to tell us to
become proficient. Get good with receiving and sending
CW. Then speed up, but not so fast that we become
lids, just so we can say that we can send at blah blah
wpm, but become proficient with the next speed, etc.

FISTS is a great group and yes, they seem to hover
around the 58's on the bands. I know that if I want to
talk with another FISTS, I can go there and usually
drum someone up.  I also don't have to worry if I
don't send 20 or 30 wpm. I can still have a nice qso
at a speed within my comfort zone.  No problem.

I also try outside of my comfort zone quite often to
help me get faster and better with CW.  Sometimes it
is good, sometimes not so good. But I keep improving.

I also go to the novice portions of the band and work
qrs. I think that some of the ops slower than me
appreciate it when I go there and qso with them at
their speed.  Just maybe it will get them more
comfortable and want to extend their comfort zone
another wpm or two. 

Hans, you being a Master Chief Radioman with the 
US Navy is totally awesome! I bet you can wiz along at
40 - 50 wpm without even thinking.  Maybe someday I
will get a bit closer to that, but for now, I have to
do cw at a speed that I am proficient with. Finding
others who will qso with me at that speed is great. 

I know that if I go to the FISTS freqs, I will usually
find someone willing to go my speed or just a tad bit
faster.  To me, that is what it is all about, enjoying
my hobby, the way I like. I am sure that you enjoy it
also. This is a big hobby and there is room for all
good operators, fast and those not so fast.

73,

Dan Harriman  ARS  KC5GXL  AR SK

  --- K0HB  <k-zero-hb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Actually, I'd like to see us de-emphasize the
> so-called "Fists
> frequencies".  They have become almost an new-age
> embodiment of everything
> that was wrong with the old Novice slow code
> ghettos.  The goal of Fists
> should NOT be to perpetuate slower operators, but to
> encourage growth in
> our skill levels.  You don't get skilled hanging
> around in enclaves with
> other slower operators.  You get skilled by
> stretching yourself outside
> your comfort zone.
> 
> 73, de Hans, K0HB
> Master Chief Radioman, US Navy
> 
>