[Fists] CW Activity

[ATanner283 at aol.com]

Hi Stan and all......It does seem to be true that the bands have seen  pretty 
sparse action lately. I would also point out that the bands are not  really 
"crowded" in the phone portion, or the digital areas either. The cycle is  on 
it's way down, and will go further yet for a spell. There is still plenty of  
DX to be had on the low bands however, and 20/03 meters open during the day at  
times. 15 and 10 are, well, 15 and 10. I would also say that these conditions 
 have  put the skids on a lot of QRP stuff, as I don't hear those guys  
around much either lately. I have better luck down band from the FISTS  
frequencies, as there seems to be more activity there. It is my perception (mine  only) 
that FISTS has lost some momentum over the past couple of years. But then,  I 
think ham radio in general has too. I would much rather get on the air and use  
20/30 wpm than to sit and tap tap code at 8/10 wpm on the FISTS freq's. So, I 
 procrastinate and don't get on much at all. Unfortunately, it seems that 
most  FISTS QSO's have become a numbers swap. Quite a difference from the first 
few  years, when there were FISTS nets and lots of B.S. exchanges on the 
frequencies.  Then we went to an era of complaining about each other. Too fast, too 
slow, too  much QRM, etc etc, and now are down to "where did everybody go" 
mode. More  awards??? Don't know....I guess the membership will have to speak up. 
Are you  going to administer the "paper" or do we need to find 
"volunteers"??/ Hope  something works, but not sure what at this  point........Al/W8FAX/2192