[Hallicrafters] CW and amateur radio

[W. David Paperman]

I have been teaching amateur radio classes on and off for over 25 years. 
I started teaching when I was a Tech+ (no choice in 1961). I am an ARRL 
certified instructor.

During the intervening years we have had people with a wide variety of 
challenges; visual, auditory, attention span etc. As instructors our 
challenge was to adjust the methods of instruction to meet their needs 
so that they could meet their goals.

These challenged people were dedicated, not looking for the path of 
least resistance. They respected not only the rules requiring CW but the 
traditions of our hobby. They worked harder than the average, met their 
challenge and passed at least the 5 WPM level of CW. Some even went on 
to 20 wpm.

I am not a CW fanatic. As an ardent DXer, I use it in the hobby along 
with other modes (7 Band DXCC, CW DXCC, VUCC, working on RTTY/PSK DXCC). 
As someone deeply involved in emergency communications I see the need to 
retain the 5 wpm minimum for both technical (absolute minimum 
requirement for communications - the "when all else fails" situation) 
and traditional reasons.

I will not, after all the years of teaching, accept the word "can't"

Dave, W5WP
(Emergency Coordinator - Montgomery County, Texas.
Volunteer Examiner
Certified Instructor
HF-VHF Awards Manager
Official Emergency Station
--and a few other "no pay" positions!

Comments are welcome. Flames will give me the opportunity to wear out my 
new delete key. I am trying to build up to a bulk order of replacement keys.