[Fists] Doesn't anyone know how to zero-beat anymore?

[John, N5DWI]

K3PID wrote:
> Sending CC's may delay your post. If you feel that your post needs to go to more than one destination please send them separately. 
>
>
>
> I've been sitting here working on my computer for a couple of hours and listening to the 40 meter CW traffic. I've had to open up my passband to 2 kHz to copy both side of most of the QSO's. This is just plain poor ham radio and it waste 2X spectrum! I unstood the problem when most of us were rock bound but with todays rigs, it's a piece of cake to zero beat the other guy.
>
> Ron H
FWIW, Ron,

and I hate to tell you this, but the number
of rock-bound rigs is proliferating due to
groups like NAQQC, all the QRP folks who
are forced to use CW to make up for their
low power, and just plain homebrewers.

Yeah, they could go out and buy an FT-817
or equivalent, but where's the fun in that
when you can build your own minimalist
XTAL rig?

As far as taking up 2K of spectrum, that's
true only if each station is taking up 1K,
since if you're only listening, you're not
taking up any space!  But I do know what
you mean.  That's one of the disadvantages
of very narrow filters.  Just switch out the
filter and don't look back.  If it's too bad,
go to some other band or whatever.

It's true that RIT & XIT make life easier,
but it takes a lot more skill when you
can't zero beat.  And that doesn't mean
the XTAL op is doing "just plain poor ham
radio," it's just that it's not your preferred
mode.  That's why they make chocolate
and vanilla.

A good rock bound op MIGHT let you know
where he's listening, but it's not necessary
if the other guy knows what to do.

I know we're talking about two different things
here, and I have my own set of gripes about
what some ops do, but we need to remember
that there's plenty room for everyone to do
his own thing.

vy 73 de john, n5dwi
(ex-k5hoq)