[Hallicrafters] Operating

[W5HTW at att.net]

Maybe we should define "good" CW operator?  I'm over 60, been a professional
CW op with the government, and doing ham CW for 47 years.  (And just to be
sure, I did a bunch of it on Hallicrafters gear - BC610s, HT-18, HT-20, and
using S85, SX96, SX71, SX130, and one time a borrowed SX-111.)  I putt along
about 20 WPM still, though I can hold a QSO at 30 or maybe a wee dab better,
depending upon QRM/QRN.  I can also cruise along at 13-15 wpm.  And I'm
pro-CW.  I'm not sure, though, I would meet anyone's criteria for "good CW
op."  I like the use of proper prosigns, instead of going off in my own
direction and inventing my lingo.  I like courtesy on the bands, both CW and
fone.  I like clean signals, and I give ou realistic signal reports - if your
T is an 8, you're gonna get an 8 from me, not a 599 73 CUAGN QSL VIA BURO.  If
it's a 6 that's what you'll get.  If it's a 567C that will be your report.
(Though I'll check it on a couple of receivers before I hand out such a
report!  And I'll listen to some other signals - if most are T6, then I've got
a problem, not you.) 

But I also play devil's advocate, as I suspect the heyday of ham radio is well
over (which is why we do boatanchors, huh?  Our "living in the past."  Our
clinging to the remnants, so to speak.)  and will never return.  It will, in
my opinion, just get worse - either more crowded with less skills, or less
crowded with BPL.  So, as the DA, I point out we don't have a whole buncha
qualified and skilled railroad telegraphers around anymore, either.  Or buggy
drivers.  

I wish we did!  All of them!  But dem days is gone ferever!   We is "The
Hinternet!"  Lordy.  

My SX130 sounds great, both on the ham bands and GC.  So does my good SX71,
and maybe someday I'll get the 'old' SX71 working, too, though it needs a lot
of work!  My HA-1 I bought from this list is working just fine, thanks.  

And I hope our newfound 'return' ham gets on the air and enjoys CW, whether at
5 WPM or 35, when he can build up his speed.  I'm on 40, and I do go to the 40
meter Novice band frequently, to see what's brewing.  And though I'm not a hot
shot CW guy, I will still QRS a bit more to help the new fella, whether he's
young or old, if he wants to do a CW contact.  He can put that SX42 to good
use, if he doesn't get discouraged by (a) attitudes, or (b) sunspots!  

73
Ed



--
Ed Brooks, W5HTW
http://w5htw.home.att.net/index.html
Active since June 1956 Extra since
Jan 1970