[Lowfer] What a difference the wx has made

[John Davis]

>> I've always assumed that there are many more doing beacon rx than the
>> small sampling on this list -- people who see or hear our signals, but
>> that we will never hear from.  Other NDB-ers.

In addition to the population John identifies, who lack the interest or the
equipment for reception of slow digital modes, there are also some who DO
have all of the above but don't listen very often, in part because they
don't have the very latest
where-I've-decided-to-park-my-DDS-exciter-this-hour frequency and mode
information.  :-)

Yes, there are a lot of listeners out there who aren't on this reflector,
and don't want to be because of the assorted chatter that is of interest to
those of us who subscribe, but which mostly doesn't pertain to what they
want to do.  Therefore, if an operator only mentions his beacon on this
reflector, it becomes exclusionary.

That's why, even in the face of this great electronic tool called e-mail, we
still maintain printed beacon lists and lists on the Web.  (It hasn't been
many months since one of our number was surprised to receive a reception
report by--gasp!--snail mail, and wondered how someone not on this reflector
heard about the beacon.  Really flattering to those of us who spend our
spare time collecting data and promoting the hobby. :)

But when those lists get outdated because operators forget to mention some
piddling little change, like going off the air for the next several months,
the occasional monitors get even more discouraged and listen/watch all the
less often.  So, we have come full circle to the regular sermon:  Keep those
cards, letters, and e-mails coming with your beacon updates and corrections!
You're reaching more people than you may know.

John