[MilCom] How Dumb Can a Mil Com HobbyMonitorGet!!!??? Re: UNIDEN'sNew Scanner

[Dave Holford]

"code free techs with no desire to understand how radio works"

I usually just ignore this sort of insult, but I have a hard time 
understanding how those who use the simplest form of radio/wireless 
communication requiring the most basic circuitry (CW/morse); are technically 
superior to those using a far more complex system (SSB) or even digital 
systems. I have a couple of friends, and a father, who just love to hang 
around old steam trains, I find high-speed maglev much more interesting.

As a milcom monitor for over 60 years (I cut my teeth on the Berlin Airlift) 
and a Canadian Advanced Amateur who, more years ago than I care to remember, 
designed and built his own SSB rig from scratch, and was quite happy with 
25wpm hand keyed CW until advancing arthritis made that too difficult; I 
feel that I am qualfied to comment.

Anyone who wants to use CW or AM is free to do so, there are lots of both on 
the HF bands. But I'm quite happy to try and keep up with current advances 
in technology and have no desire to go back to the simpler technology of 
vinyl records or BW television.

I have met several folks over the years who happily monitor various forms of 
communication with scanners and HF receivers; they read the magazines, 
probably lurk on sites like this but for various reasons do not joint 
newsgroups or clubs. There are many more milcom monitors than post - I'm a 
case in point, I seldom post but read this and other sites regularly.

Dave VE3HLU
p.s. Just to show that I am not totally innocent of bias; I have been known 
to take great offence when people ask me about my CB set, and why I have so 
many!