[Hallicrafters] Re Ray's Comments

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Ray is correct. We should be bright enough to make the distinction between the
'reply to sender' and 'reply to all' options. However, it is not a question of
bright enough, but rather, of lazy habits. Most of us just hit the 'reply to
sender' option and think no more about it. We are in a hurry, rushing through
e-mail responses and pay no attention to where we are sending it.	
	
If the list is set with the 'reply to list' as the default, it is true that
either 'reply to sender' or 'reply to all' goes to the same place, the list. If
you wish to reply ONLY to the sender, then you have to take the time to type the
e-mail address of said party in the 'to field'. Under normal conditions, I have
not read about any fatality statistics generated by having to do this. (grin)	
	
If each of you think about where your reply goes 'BEFORE' you send it, this
issue pretty much goes away. It is a case of retraining our neurons to keep
helpful information going back to the list, and then to the archives. Thus this
treasure trove of technical wisdom is read and shared by one and all. 	
	
Let me remind each of you, again. The purpose of this list, and for the most
part, the bulk of qth.net lists, is the sharing and dissemination of
information. This is not, and can not, be achieved when technical and radio
issue related questions are answered in private. It is not my intention to stir
up trouble by bringing up this topic, but to assure that the valuable
information is not lost. There is a literal gold mine of outstanding technical
tips in the various list archives. They are stored there about 2.5 years (thirty
months) before available space forces older posts off to make room for newer
ones. This information MUST be preserved!	
	
Most of the Hams who understand the electronics of vintage equipment, who owned
it, operated it and repaired it, are getting along in years. many are over
seventy at the present time. We are going to lose them, and with them goes that
invaluable knowledge, forever. This is why every single one of us should make
every possible effort to preserve this information. One way is to answer the
technical questions, and radio related questions, to the entire list.	
	
That is the entire sum and substance of what I am speaking of. It is not to get
Al Parker steamed up, as he gets livid everytime the topic arises. Fortunately
Al does send his technical replies to the entire list, always has. this is
terrific, because Al Parker is very learned in the technical areas and has much
to share with those working on, repairing - restoring, vintage gear. Most of us
simply do not think before we send out the reply. I am asking each of you to
think and try to keep this tremendous information going to this list, (and all
qth.net lists), so that all subscribers have the option to read or delete it,
and so that it is sent for storage into the qth.net archives. Whereupon, those
needing said information may use the search engines on the HCI web site, or
those provided by Al Waller, K3TKJ, to locate needed material.   	
	
Now if this makes me the south end of a northbound Donkey, so be it. I remember
the Dean of Boys at Kearsley High School where I attended, Bill Knudsen. When
the senior class 'wills' were read, somebody left him a Donkey, so that he would
always have an ass to ride! How that got through the strict censorship of 1964
nobody knows, but the entire place broke out in howling laughter. Sometimes the
volunteer who is the list admin ends up in the same position as the late William
Knudsen. Oh well, asi es la vida. (such is life)   	
	
Thank you for your indulgence and cooperation. This is a wonderful hobby and we
each need to do all that we can to preserve it.	
	
Duane Fischer, W8DBF	
List Admin