[Fists] A modest proposal --- drop all the "numbers"

[Randy Sly, W4XJ]

Well, I'm going to break radio silence and get into the discussion.

Like Hans, I have been in amateur radio a long time. I was first licensed in
1964 and still remember the terror of taking my test at the FCC Examining
Office and waiting for my upgrade to arrive in the mail.

One of the things I have always appreciated about amateur radio is the
diversity of interests that exists among the many in our wonderful hobby.
Some people like moonbounce, or microwave, or homebrewing, or DXing, or
digital, or antenna design, or public service, or rag chewing, or... dare I
say it - certificate hunting.

No one is compelled, as a member of any group, to participate in the
exchange of numbers. It is, however, a wonderful way to get people on the
air, as well as encourage them to meet new members. Through FISTS, in
particular, as I've enthusiastically exchanged numbers and earned some
certificates, I've also made a lot of new friends and found many places of
common ground for communication with them. Outside of contests, it has not
been my experience that most operators are just sending numbers, although
that is done. Most of my QSO's are 20 to 30 minutes long (or longer) with a
lot of different things talked about. With Hans, I would have to agree that
I don't like it when someone exchanges numbers and signs off, unless it is a
contest.

However, amateur radio, and CW in particular, is not going to thrive by
reducing our operating options. It will thrive in we continue to provide a
variety of expressions and incentives that can capture the interest of the
many who will want to get involved. Let's encourage the certificates,
awards, contests, websites and proficiency exams as well as the plain and
simple rag chew. Let's encourage people to find the fun through the variety
of means available. Some of it may not fit my interests, but that's OK, I
just won't participate. Personally, I enjoy reaching goals, whether it be
adding DX countries, collecting FISTS numbers, building proficiency, or
contacting special event stations. That's just who I am and how I'm put
together.

Randy Sly W4XJ

-----Original Message-----
From: fists-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:fists-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of kiyoinc at attglobal.net
Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 9:12 AM
To: fists at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Fists] Agree w/ K0HB

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I'd been thinking that certificates, awards, contests, websites, and maybe
even non-official VEC proctored, 5, 13, and 20 WPM exams could exist in
parallel with the FCC's licenses.

Hans has convinced me that there really isn't a compelling reason for it.

While it might be worth doing, what will promote CW is simply folks using
CW, enjoying it, and passing on the fun.

I don't operate that much.  I mostly work on small radio projects, repairing
and cleaning boatanchors, building QRP transmitters.

A couple times a month, I listen to HF, mostly CW to keep my code speed up.
I like listening to the Spartan Sprint because there's a wide range of
speeds and little signals.

There's not much challenge to listening to 75 meter LSB but 7040 CW, that's
fun.

I think there will always be CW and in fact this ruling change will set 
CW free.   No one is forced to learn Morse but then, no one is forced to 
learn to fly, sail, ski, run marathons, bicycle, swim, when it is so much
easier to just sit there and be a lump.

de ah6gi/4
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