[KYHAM] Why CW

[Kevin Schneider]

Tyler,

The main reason to learn CW has nothing to do with radio theory, equipment
operation, a rite of passage, or an interest in antiquity...

The main reason to learn CW has to do with the nature of why amateur radio
exists (in the mind of the FCC) and in the nature of the HF bands.

Emergency Communications is the primary reason that hams have a huge chunk
of what could otherwise be very lucrative airspace.  Unlike most of the
bands on which a new  Tech traditionally operates, HF bands re subject to
numerous conditions that affect propagation (sunspots, time of day, magnetic
disturbances, etc.)  This is especially true during lows in the sunspot
cycle, which we are headed toward.

I was on the Central Area HF net last month listening as two ops were
attempting to pass traffic as part of the National Traffic System. Band
conditions were horrible, voice was impossible. Both of these guys were at
legal power limits with big antennas and top of the line quipment, too.

It looked like the message would not be handled.  The two ops simply changed
freqs.,  pounded out a little bit of code  at about 7 wpm, and the message
moved, using the same equipment, same band, etc.

Had this message not been transmitted , no big deal.  It was just a
Christmas greeting from one friend to another across the country.  But what
if it had been a time-sensitive emergency message, necessary to get vital
supplies - or - to pass on info about a loved one after a terrorist act.
That would be a totally different story.

Ham radio is "allowed to exist" by the FCC (and could be profitably taken
away) because we are the mode of communication "when all else fails";  and
CW is the mode that works "when all others fail".  It is the one thing that
meets our "charter" more than anything else.

Maybe this gives you (and others) a different perspective.  Heck, maybe you
might even want to learn it for HF use.  Maybe you'll be the one to get a
ship's distress call someday.  Or maybe you'll just enjoy FM on 2m for 15
years like I did before upgrading.  Hopefully, it will give you an idea why
some of us are passionate about it.

--...   ...--  and enjoy our hobby,

Kevin,  KV4O