[Qcwa] CW

[qcwa@mailman.qth.net]

In a message dated 7/6/2002 11:50:49 AM Central Daylight Time, 
dmulloy@pacifier.com writes:


> Surely there must be some former spark-gap ops out there who feel this new
> fangled CW is wrong! . . . . 
> 
> Why not come up with a new "bragging rights" topics instead of code speed
> here....how about "how many new hams have your brought into ham radio this
> year?', or "I am Elmering 20 people right now!"
> 73
> Doug K7ABX (since 1957)
> 

Hey, Doug. 

Looks as if I'm the guilty party for getting this slumbering first kicked 
into a roaring flame. I owe you all an apology for not knowing the depth of 
your feelings.

I'm the guilty party who wrote K5DLE that crazy logical analysis of "why the 
changes were made." It was written with tongue in cheek, and to those on "all 
sides" (Not just "both sides," for this is a many-faceted issue). It has been 
"did and done." The time for debate was back then. We now have to figure out 
ways to live with what we have. 

This is a be pretty long statement,  but please bear with me. Maybe, just 
maybe, we can make something worthwhile out of all these emotion driven 
flame-throwers. If you don't like what I have to say, That is OKAY with me. 
Just be sure that you understand what I am saying before you start your 
flames my way. 

May I explain? (And probably get myself into the middle of a bonfire again.)  
 The word "Intelligence" can carry more than one meaning. One of which, and 
the only one I meant, was "intelligent data." And if folks do not have 
"intelligent data" to send by CW, then, "those who must be obeyed" have 
decided that there is no need for it. And they have bowed to "the will of the 
people," whatever that must mean in today's world.

I, for one, believe that all the polls, PAC's, votes, and mobs in the world 
do not make for a just and worthy society. Only when statutes and laws are 
used to decide set our boundaries and within which we conduct ourselves can 
we have a decent society. That war was fought out in 1776, and the 
establishment of our American nation began with a constitution, a form of 
government which was to protect us from enemies outside as well as from 
within, and laws by which we pledged to conduct our lives. Very shortly after 
Washington became president, there was a group in Western Pennsylvania  who 
then rebelled against tax laws they did not like and it was called "The 
Whiskey Rebellion." Shooting, house burning, and even the killing of a 
neighbor ensued. But eventually laws prevailed and mob rule failed as it 
always does in America. Ever since then, folks have agitated  to get the 
majority of the nation to bend to their ways by pressuring public opinion,  
pressure the Congress, and stuffing the ballot box. No, I am not talking 
about a recent election fiasco. I've lived in South Texas and my reference 
goes back many decades. Sometimes people in large groups can become 
shortsighted and demand what they want,  only to find later some unforeseen 
consequences of their demands. 

Seems to me (a relative newcomer to QCWA) that this organization, to which I 
am committed, focuses on "what we want" and is sidetracked on "what are the 
needs we must identify and focus on." I appreciate what Doug said. Ten 
thousand hams with history, experience, influence, technical skill, grand 
abilities, can do a lot more than just fuss over something  we really have no 
control now to change. 

What is being done to stir us up into become better hams ourselves? Maybe 
some of us need to be challenged into doing something a little expansive to 
our own soul's betterment through a challenge we have been putting off. To 
those of us who believe heartily in CW at faster and faster speeds, are there 
some relationships we need to use help some others gain proficiency? Without 
getting back into the bickering about "The Great Debate." 

"What is our mission as members of our local chapters of QCWA and how are we 
handling our own dignity? What are we doing in our local chapters to engage 
all the members, whether or not they ever attend a luncheon? When people drop 
out, they usually do so because some of their expectancies or needs have been 
ignored, bypassed, or belittled. If all we do is fuss and fume over things 
past, and spend our time and energy flaming and cussing and demeaning one 
another for each person's individual rights to opinions, what image do we 
give those whom we might well influence to this "hobby"? In fact, why would 
an outsider even want to be part of an organization where the members hate 
one another? 

I heard something this early this morning in a net and it reminded me of what 
I've read here. A guy down in Texas remarked: "Sometime ago I was watching a 
fight on TV and then all at once, a hockey game broke out." 

Is that what QCWA is about? I have worked with literally hundreds and 
hundreds of groups, organizations, systems, and families both large and small 
since 1955. In every one of those groups or organizations, when they failed 
to focus on some mission outside themselves larger than just "keeping the 
organization growing," they eventually broke down through internal fighting 
or died. The mission of QCWA is vitally important to keep clear. Covey stated 
a clear principle: "Begin with the end in mind." What is the end in mind for 
QCWA? Just the preservation of the past "glorious history." That really isn't 
enough for me. "The best is yet to be." 

Perhaps with QCWA we now have a marvelous opportunity to reexamine ourselves, 
our chapters, and even perhaps our National Organization to redefine our 
central mission and how we carry it out. More than 30,000 numbers issued. 
Currently about 10,000 of us "active." 

Why not come up with a new "bragging rights" topics instead of code speed
here....how about "how many new hams have your brought into ham radio this
year?', or "I am Elmering 20 people right now!"
73
Doug K7ABX (since 1957)

Not all of us have time, energy, willingness, abilities, desire, nor 
opportunity to do a lot of "elmering." But I am convinced that if we had some 
"intelligent data" to send to one another about our higher purpose for being, 
we could all have a lot more fun. 

Here's an illustration from current business practices. Our business climate 
used to be devoted to "customer service." Slowly in the past two to three 
decades it has shifted to "bottom line." More customers. More money. More 
profits. More . . . And the companies which have lost "customer service" as 
their mission are feeling the pinch. The companies which haven't lost the 
view of "customer service" are those companies which are beginning to show 
"more bottom line" by "taking care of business."

I hope that perhaps in the next five years our chapters in QCWA will return 
to "taking care of business" which is "customer service."

By the way, to establish some sense of identity, I am a 20 wpm extra. First 
licensed in 1953. (And a lot of other "bragging rights" that really don't 
mean more than a hill of beans after my nearly 72 years. Yesterday's 
accomplishments are to me not half so important as who is in my life right 
now.)

I use SSB, FM, and CW, but spend most time in other venues. I love taking 
vintage gear and seeking to get it operational again. I often seek the 5 to 
10 wpm persons and encourage them to grow in their proficiency. If we don't 
personally grow and expand our knowledge and skills, if all we do is use rf 
spectrum and organizations and fail to grow in relationship and understanding 
of our mission in life, then we are dead meat.  (In my opinion.)

I really don't care what mode you use. Just use something and grow in its 
use. And learn something new each year, something you don't think you would 
like, but do it just to make yourself grow as a person and as a ham! (You 
might take as a challenge to say something encourageing to at least one 
person every day the rest of your life. That could change the way you email, 
for example)

I just personally have the opinion that the ham who saw CW as only a hoop 
through he or she had to jump and immediately forgot it has cheated self and 
the rest of us. Others have other opinions, and that is the American way. I 
happen to believe that somewhere, sometime, some people in dire straits may 
have to rely on that one person to get them through an emergency where only 
code can function. What will we do then? People all over Oklahoma City a few 
years ago in the Bombing, and all over New York City  on September 11 
immediately grabbed their cell phones expecting them to be there. They were 
not! What then? Are we ready as an Amateur Radio Community of diverse persons 
ready to rise to the emergencies? Do we have enough commitment to the Rules 
and Regulations to follow them in emergencies, or we do hold them in such 
contempt that we are mindless herd fouling our own nest? 

God Bless America.

73  Raymond   w5vpu
Oklahoma City, OK


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