Re: [Elecraft] "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs

[Tony Estep]

>
>
> ...Even using CW it is infinitely easier to work
> DXCC on multiple bands these days than back in the fifties, well maybe I
> will make an exception for the 1958 era
>
=
Ha ha, yep. I worked DXCC as a Novice in 1957-58, all on 15 CW. It's true
that signals were popping in from all over the world at the time. But the
level and type of activity were completely different, of course. I worked
many countries still deemed to be rare via QSOs with local hams (e.g.
Johnston Island) or visiting scientists (e.g. Amsterdam Island), but only a
couple via DXpeditions (e.g. Navassa). Often you'd have an exchange of name
and qth, even with rare DX when others were waiting. You found DX by tuning
and listening, and most QSLing was via direct mail. A different world.
Now with clusters and micro-QSOs (5nn tu) you can knock off DXCC within 24
hours during a contest. Which is more fun? I dunno. Either way, hearing
your call come back from the other edge of the world can give a little jolt
of adrenaline, no matter how many times you've done it. I don't get any
jolt seeing my call on the FT8 scroll.

73,
Tony KT0NY
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs

[Jim Brown]

On 7/13/2020 11:26 PM, Doug Turnbull wrote:

Even using CW it is infinitely easier to work
DXCC on multiple bands these days than back in the fifties, well maybe I
will make an exception for the 1958 era.


Except that noise levels have escalated by 20 dB since that era.

73, Jim K9YC
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs

[Doug Turnbull]

Dear Friends,
  Nor are SSB, RTTY and PSK the same as CW but they all serve a purpose.
Any technology which allows one to work weaker signals with lower power is
going to make DXCC easier.Even using CW it is infinitely easier to work
DXCC on multiple bands these days than back in the fifties, well maybe I
will make an exception for the 1958 era.There are so many aids and
radios are better.This is a technological hobby and now the guy with the
apartment and balcony might actually work DXCC.   Viva engineering.
  73 Doug EI2CN

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On
Behalf Of Dauer, Edward
Sent: Monday 13 July 2020 15:39
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net; Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
Subject: [Elecraft] "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs

I agree fully with Victor; though the difference may be even simpler:  

Making a QSO using CW is a ham doing something with a radio.  Making a QSO
with FT8 is a radio doing something for a ham.

Neither is better or worse; but they are different.

Ted, KN1CBR

--

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2020 10:41:41 +0300
From: Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FT8 - was "On Second Thought, I'll Take The
Stairs"
Message-ID: <3ac27805-0645-14c9-582f-601efd94c...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

For me, it's simple.

When I make a CW contact, even if its total content is "ENN TU", I am
connected to history, to Jack Phillips on the Titanic, to all of the
military traffic men and airborne radio operators of WWII, to the operators
on the merchant ships on the high seas and the Great Lakes, and to all the
hams of the past, even Mr. Marconi, the first ham.

I like hearing the propagation change with my own ears and struggling to
capture an ESP-level call. I like the feel of the key and the sound of the
code. I like the idea that there is another person like me at the other end
with his or her hand on a key.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have caught the bug at a young age and
developed the skill needed to make CW as transparent to me as my mother
tongue. I see how hard it is for those who begin to learn at middle age or
older. They shouldn't give up -- it's worth it.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/__;!!NCZxaNi9jForCP_SxB
KJCA!F4lkQrp7vnWsJyPT-T7iUPs1Sk1a79YI92FbY7WOC4FPuQvWxE1lsChUamJuUgiP$
.
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to turnb...@net1.ie 

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Wayne: Would you mind if I forwarded this to our ham newsletter editor 
for reprint? Thanks! k WB9FMC


On 7/12/2020 10:07 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX.

I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
put up a simple wire antenna.

Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look back. 
Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare ones over a 
light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his software app 
for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of noise.

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
new hobby.

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
hand -- often fail to explain why.

I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept in, 
creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he could 
do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was 
the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.

I had all but given up.

Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the bait.

On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
insisted we take the stairs down, too.

"Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"

I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
ground floor invigorated by the effort.

"So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated twenty-dollar 
burger venue at least twice.

I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.

When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.

"What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a two-minute drive 
from here?"

I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water bottle, 
then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.

We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with blackberry 
bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but with teamwork 
and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls of fat, ripe 
berries, which we devoured on the spot.

We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.

"Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
wounds.

Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from a 
neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent years 
crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, including 
iconic, hand-painted labels.

My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
twist-off.

"Opener?" he said.

I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He soon 
discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at me 
with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this time.

I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds he'd 
collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to fashion a 
few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the caps, toasted his 
new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.

"Oh, one more thing," I said.

I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We threw 
one wire in the closest tree and laid the other on the ground.

He didn't have to ask whether I'd brought a laptop.

We listened to CW signals up and down 20 meters, which was open to Europe at 
the time. As he tuned in each station, I copied for him using pencil and paper. 
He'd learned Morse code, but only at very slow speeds.

After making a contact, I set the internal keyer speed to 10 words per minute 
and dialed power output to zero, for practice purposes, then showed him how to 
use the paddle. He smiled as he got the hang of it. Sending the full alphabet 
was a challenge, but he got there. The KX2 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Charlie T]

Mine DXCC certificate says "50 MHZ"
Actually up to about 160 by now, all on SSB or CW.

73, Charlie k3ICH




-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On
Behalf Of Jim McDonald
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2020 3:17 PM
To: Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
Cc: Elecraft Reflector 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

And I have one that says "RTTY" but it's now a Digital DXCC.  I had to
resort to FT8 to work Monaco to get on the Digital Honor Roll, with the
other 330 having been on RTTY.

Jim N7US

On Mon, Jul 13, 2020, 11:37 AM Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
wrote:

> I wouldn't bother. My DXCC certificate says "CW" on it.
>
> 73,
> Victor, 4X6GP
> Rehovot, Israel
> Formerly K2VCO
> CWops no. 5
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
>
> On 13/07/2020 18:39, Andy Durbin wrote:
> > "Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as 
> > watching grass grow !"
> >
> > Each to his own of course but, for me, the pleasure of making a 
> > contact has almost nothing to do with the mode used and almost 
> > everything to do with how much I wanted to contact that station.  I 
> > say "almost" because I still enjoy CW more than other modes.
> >
> > How many would refuse to work Bouvet if FT8 is the only mode they 
> > choose to use when/if it is activated?
> >
> > Andy, k3wyc
>
>
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message
delivered to pin...@erols.com 

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Jim McDonald]

And I have one that says "RTTY" but it's now a Digital DXCC.  I had to
resort to FT8 to work Monaco to get on the Digital Honor Roll, with the
other 330 having been on RTTY.

Jim N7US

On Mon, Jul 13, 2020, 11:37 AM Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
wrote:

> I wouldn't bother. My DXCC certificate says "CW" on it.
>
> 73,
> Victor, 4X6GP
> Rehovot, Israel
> Formerly K2VCO
> CWops no. 5
> http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
>
> On 13/07/2020 18:39, Andy Durbin wrote:
> > "Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as
> > watching grass grow !"
> >
> > Each to his own of course but, for me, the pleasure of making a
> > contact has almost nothing to do with the mode used and almost
> > everything to do with how much I wanted to contact that station.  I
> > say "almost" because I still enjoy CW more than other modes.
> >
> > How many would refuse to work Bouvet if FT8 is the only mode they
> > choose to use when/if it is activated?
> >
> > Andy, k3wyc
>
>
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Wes]

Although I have little use for FT8 I did try it early on and from time to time I 
try it again.  I have learned that to work DX with a modest station such as I 
have, some skill in signal placement and timing is important.  Unfortunately, 
FT8 removes the timing trick, but signal placement does make a difference.


My gripes with the mode is that it's too easy for DX stations to plop down on an 
FT8 freq and never check propagation or operate on traditional modes.  Another 
is that ARRL hasn't seen fit to create a separate DXCC award for these modes, 
but has lumped it in with RTTY (which has been downgraded to "Digital").  My 
DXCC certificate says, "RTTY" and I want to keep it that way.


Wes  N7WS


On 7/13/2020 8:48 AM, Carl Yaffey wrote:

My two cents: FT8 is a bit more than using a computer to make contacts. Believe 
it or not, there is skill involved. Just try working a DX station when a load 
of others are trying. Can you say “pile up”? It ain’t simple.


__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP]

I wouldn't bother. My DXCC certificate says "CW" on it.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 13/07/2020 18:39, Andy Durbin wrote:

"Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as
watching grass grow !"

Each to his own of course but, for me, the pleasure of making a
contact has almost nothing to do with the mode used and almost
everything to do with how much I wanted to contact that station.  I
say "almost" because I still enjoy CW more than other modes.

How many would refuse to work Bouvet if FT8 is the only mode they
choose to use when/if it is activated?

Andy, k3wyc 

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[David Herring]

This is correct...there is skill and strategy involved with FT8. 

Sure, on a relatively empty band you can set and forget and let the software do 
all the work. Blindly call CQ and let others come find you. Yes, that could be 
construed as watching paint dry or grass growing.

How often does an empty band happen? For me, and the times I’m on, never.

Our little segment of FT8 is usually jammed from side to side with stations. At 
times it’s hard to get a word in edgewise. ;-)  (And don’t get me started on 
the ops who grossly over modulate, spill out and take up half of our space…)

If there’s a specific station you want to work, there is strategy and timing 
involved to increase your chances of making it into their decode window as a 
red line. It’s not rocket science, but it’s not Ronco Ron Popeil (“set it and 
forget it”) either. One can experiment with which window to start calling in, 
and moving the transmit point around, often to good effect.

I have only gradually become aware of the strategy and timing aspects of FT8 by 
using it a lot. Seeing what works and what doesn’t. And I’m still learning by 
doing.

I offer this only as point of consideration for those who may not have thought 
about it in this way. I’m not necessarily an FT8 evangelist. I love other 
aspects of the hobby as much or more. 

The beauty of this hobby is that you can take what you like and leave the rest 
for someone else.

73,
David - N5DCH



> On Jul 13, 2020, at 9:48 AM, Carl Yaffey  wrote:
> 
> My two cents: FT8 is a bit more than using a computer to make contacts. 
> Believe it or not, there is skill involved. Just try working a DX station 
> when a load of others are trying. Can you say “pile up”? It ain’t simple. 
> 
>> On Jul 13, 2020, at 11:39 AM, Andy Durbin  wrote:
>> 
>> "Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as watching 
>> grass grow !"
>> 
>> 
> 
> Carl Yaffey  K8NU
> 614 268 6353, Columbus OH
> http://www.carl-yaffey.com
> http://www.grassahol.com
> http://www.bluesswing.com
> Https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
> http://www.timbrewolves.carl-yaffey.com
> http://www.folkramblers.carl-yaffey.com
> Http:www.clintonvillegrass.com
> 
> 
> __
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to david.n5...@gmail.com

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Carl Yaffey]

My two cents: FT8 is a bit more than using a computer to make contacts. Believe 
it or not, there is skill involved. Just try working a DX station when a load 
of others are trying. Can you say “pile up”? It ain’t simple. 

> On Jul 13, 2020, at 11:39 AM, Andy Durbin  wrote:
> 
> "Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as watching 
> grass grow !"
> 
> 

Carl Yaffey  K8NU
614 268 6353, Columbus OH
http://www.carl-yaffey.com
http://www.grassahol.com
http://www.bluesswing.com
Https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
http://www.timbrewolves.carl-yaffey.com
http://www.folkramblers.carl-yaffey.com
Http:www.clintonvillegrass.com


__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

[Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Andy Durbin]

"Yep, I've made some FT-8 contacts. It was about as much fun as watching grass 
grow !"

Each to his own of course but, for me, the pleasure of making a contact has 
almost nothing to do with the mode used and almost everything to do with how 
much I wanted to contact that station.  I say "almost" because I still enjoy CW 
more than other modes.

How many would refuse to work Bouvet if FT8 is the only mode they choose to use 
when/if it is activated?

Andy, k3wyc
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

[Elecraft] "On Second Thought, I'll Take The Stairs

[Dauer, Edward]

I agree fully with Victor; though the difference may be even simpler:  

Making a QSO using CW is a ham doing something with a radio.  Making a QSO with 
FT8 is a radio doing something for a ham.

Neither is better or worse; but they are different.

Ted, KN1CBR

--

Message: 8
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2020 10:41:41 +0300
From: Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP 
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] FT8 - was "On Second Thought, I'll Take The
Stairs"
Message-ID: <3ac27805-0645-14c9-582f-601efd94c...@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed

For me, it's simple.

When I make a CW contact, even if its total content is "ENN TU", I am 
connected to history, to Jack Phillips on the Titanic, to all of the 
military traffic men and airborne radio operators of WWII, to the 
operators on the merchant ships on the high seas and the Great Lakes, 
and to all the hams of the past, even Mr. Marconi, the first ham.

I like hearing the propagation change with my own ears and struggling to 
capture an ESP-level call. I like the feel of the key and the sound of 
the code. I like the idea that there is another person like me at the 
other end with his or her hand on a key.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have caught the bug at a young age 
and developed the skill needed to make CW as transparent to me as my 
mother tongue. I see how hard it is for those who begin to learn at 
middle age or older. They shouldn't give up -- it's worth it.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/__;!!NCZxaNi9jForCP_SxBKJCA!F4lkQrp7vnWsJyPT-T7iUPs1Sk1a79YI92FbY7WOC4FPuQvWxE1lsChUamJuUgiP$
 
.
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Bill Frantz]

I sympathise with Andy's view, but there's another way of 
looking at it:


Suppose you like tha ancient art of conversation with strangers, 
which I do. In fact, I'm doing it now. Now, what strangers do 
you want to select from? There are the people next to you in 
line at the airport (or at least there were BC). There are the 
people on long distance trains. etc.


But to select for people who are interested and knowledgable 
about radio communications, other hams are a pretty good choice. 
And what better place to find them than on the air?


Yes, you can find them on this list, and we are blessed with 
some true experts. But what happens here is more like letter 
writing than conversation. For conversation you need faster 
response. Pick up a mic, key, or an interactive digital mode and 
have a conversation.


73 Bill AE6JV

In this case CW, PSK, RTTY, SSB, FM etc. etc. etc. are close to 
the end itself.


On 7/12/20 at 5:51 PM, a.dur...@msn.com (Andy Durbin) wrote:

I see CW as a "means to an end" and, for me, the "end" is 
chasing DX.   If the DX is working CW I'll call them with CW.  
If they are working FT8 then I'll call them with FT8.  It now 
seems far more likely that the DX I need is working FT8 and not 
CW.  Despite that, in my 8.5 years chasing DX as a "K", I have 
more DX confirmed using CW than with digital or phone.


I still can't have a CW conversation at more than about 14 wpm 
and never rag-chew.  No problem reading my own call at 35 wpm 
though, so happy to chase DX at that speed if that's the speed 
the DX wants to work.


CW is just the "means".  If I want a conversation I can use Skype.



---
Bill Frantz| Re IOT: "How many access control systems 
does it take

www.pwpconsult.com | to change a light bulb?" - Dean Tribble

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

[Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Andy Durbin]

I'm as old as many here but, unlike most here,  I left amateur radio for 40 
years after my initial teenage enthusiasm as a "G3".   My 15-17 wpm copy 
capability and a reasonable fist with an English WT-8A were completely lost.  
When I started over I had to learn the alphabet almost from scratch.

I see CW as a "means to an end" and, for me, the "end" is chasing DX.   If the 
DX is working CW I'll call them with CW.  If they are working FT8 then I'll 
call them with FT8.  It now seems far more likely that the DX I need is working 
FT8 and not CW.  Despite that, in my 8.5 years chasing DX as a "K", I have more 
DX confirmed using CW than with digital or phone.

I still can't have a CW conversation at more than about 14 wpm and never 
rag-chew.  No problem reading my own call at 35 wpm though, so happy to chase 
DX at that speed if that's the speed the DX wants to work.

CW is just the "means".  If I want a conversation I can use Skype.

73,
Andy, k3wyc

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Courtney Krehbiel]

Very well done Wayne!  For what it's worth, when someone asks me why ham radio 
and CW in the era of cell phones and internet, I usually ask them the question 
"Why do people buy sailboats?".  It's a great way to start the conversation, 
and I usually see lights go on.  As you eloquently illustrated, there's a lot 
of charm and fun to be had by taking the old traditional paths rather than the 
freeway.  It requires a lot of knowledge and skill to be a good CW operator or 
a sailor in a wind powered vessel.  

Cheers and 73,

  -- Courtney  KD6X

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2020 8:56 AM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Elecraft Digest, Vol 195, Issue 11

Send Elecraft mailing list submissions to
elecraft@mailman.qth.net

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net

You can reach the person managing the list at
elecraft-ow...@mailman.qth.net

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: 
Contents of Elecraft digest..."
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Macy monkeys]

I'm all for learning CW but I hope those who graduate take it further than just 
the midweek CWT and weekend contests. I enjoy a good CW raghew and those are 
becoming mighty rare.

John K7FD

> On Jul 12, 2020, at 1:18 PM, "weave...@usermail.com"  
> wrote:
> 
> Hi Steve,
> Welcome to the ham community. If you are interested in CW operation I 
> encourage you to look at the CW Academy sponsored CWOps at CWops.org. There 
> is a program to carry you from beginner to 25 WPM with proper instruction 
> along the way. That KX3 is a great radio for CW or any other mode you wish to 
> pursue.
> 
> 73,
> Bill WE5P
> 
> Comfortably Numb
> 
>> On Jul 12, 2020, at 16:11, Steve Belunek  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Wayne,
>> 
>> As a new ham, having just joined this list and excitedly awaiting my first 
>> HF rig (a KX3), I really appreciate this perspective. 
>> 
>> I had considered whether to pursue getting into HF and DX, and what radio in 
>> general could offer over more "instant-gratification" forms of communication 
>> like SMS. What I kept coming back to is the excitement of learning and 
>> figuring new things out, the challenge of making contact, and the human 
>> element.
>> 
>> I feel like quick and easy texting has made conversation disposable, I 
>> remember when email was a once-a-day transmission via modem… or you had to 
>> write an actual letter to reach someone… the content of the transmission was 
>> far more considered, precisely because it took time and effort… and I think 
>> that effort made the message even more appreciated by the recipient.
>> 
>> When I was younger, my physics teacher gave me a shortwave radio… I must 
>> have spent hours tuning that dial listening to voice transmissions and 
>> strange beeps and boops. Then I got busy with a career working in computers. 
>> I am definitely a tinkerer and gadget geek.
>> 
>> Fast forward to today, I’ve re-discovered radio, got my license and my 
>> VHF/UHF HT… and I’m still intrigued by those far away signals… who’s out 
>> there sending them, and where are they coming from? 
>> 
>> 73,
>> Steve 
>> KM6ZNZ
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:07 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
>>> 
>>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>>> with DX. 
>>> 
>>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped 
>>> him put up a simple wire antenna.
>>> 
>>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>>> of noise. 
>>> 
>>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this 
>>> glorious new hobby. 
>>> 
>>> Point. Click.
>>> 
>>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>>> by hand -- often fail to explain why. 
>>> 
>>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 
>>> 
>>> I had all but given up. 
>>> 
>>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>>> bait.
>>> 
>>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. 
>>> I insisted we take the stairs down, too. 
>>> 
>>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 
>>> 
>>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I 
>>> wasn't out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged 
>>> on the ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>>> 
>>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>>> 
>>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 
>>> 
>>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss 
>>> cheese. We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 
>>> 
>>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>>> two-minute drive from here?"
>>> 
>>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier. 
>>> 
>>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>>> 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Morgan Bailey, II]

This is excellent.
>
>
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[weave...@usermail.com]

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the ham community. If you are interested in CW operation I encourage 
you to look at the CW Academy sponsored CWOps at CWops.org. There is a program 
to carry you from beginner to 25 WPM with proper instruction along the way. 
That KX3 is a great radio for CW or any other mode you wish to pursue.

73,
Bill WE5P

Comfortably Numb

> On Jul 12, 2020, at 16:11, Steve Belunek  wrote:
> 
> Hi Wayne,
> 
> As a new ham, having just joined this list and excitedly awaiting my first HF 
> rig (a KX3), I really appreciate this perspective. 
> 
> I had considered whether to pursue getting into HF and DX, and what radio in 
> general could offer over more "instant-gratification" forms of communication 
> like SMS. What I kept coming back to is the excitement of learning and 
> figuring new things out, the challenge of making contact, and the human 
> element.
> 
> I feel like quick and easy texting has made conversation disposable, I 
> remember when email was a once-a-day transmission via modem… or you had to 
> write an actual letter to reach someone… the content of the transmission was 
> far more considered, precisely because it took time and effort… and I think 
> that effort made the message even more appreciated by the recipient.
> 
> When I was younger, my physics teacher gave me a shortwave radio… I must have 
> spent hours tuning that dial listening to voice transmissions and strange 
> beeps and boops. Then I got busy with a career working in computers. I am 
> definitely a tinkerer and gadget geek.
> 
> Fast forward to today, I’ve re-discovered radio, got my license and my 
> VHF/UHF HT… and I’m still intrigued by those far away signals… who’s out 
> there sending them, and where are they coming from? 
> 
> 73,
> Steve 
> KM6ZNZ
> 
> 
>> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:07 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
>> 
>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>> with DX. 
>> 
>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
>> put up a simple wire antenna.
>> 
>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>> of noise. 
>> 
>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
>> new hobby. 
>> 
>> Point. Click.
>> 
>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>> by hand -- often fail to explain why. 
>> 
>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 
>> 
>> I had all but given up. 
>> 
>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>> bait.
>> 
>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
>> insisted we take the stairs down, too. 
>> 
>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 
>> 
>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
>> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
>> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>> 
>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>> 
>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 
>> 
>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. 
>> We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 
>> 
>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>> two-minute drive from here?"
>> 
>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier. 
>> 
>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
>> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
>> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
>> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot. 
>> 
>> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care. 
>> 
>> "Doesn't brunch usually end with 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Steve Belunek]

Hi Wayne,

As a new ham, having just joined this list and excitedly awaiting my first HF 
rig (a KX3), I really appreciate this perspective. 

I had considered whether to pursue getting into HF and DX, and what radio in 
general could offer over more "instant-gratification" forms of communication 
like SMS. What I kept coming back to is the excitement of learning and figuring 
new things out, the challenge of making contact, and the human element.

I feel like quick and easy texting has made conversation disposable, I remember 
when email was a once-a-day transmission via modem… or you had to write an 
actual letter to reach someone… the content of the transmission was far more 
considered, precisely because it took time and effort… and I think that effort 
made the message even more appreciated by the recipient.

When I was younger, my physics teacher gave me a shortwave radio… I must have 
spent hours tuning that dial listening to voice transmissions and strange beeps 
and boops. Then I got busy with a career working in computers. I am definitely 
a tinkerer and gadget geek.

Fast forward to today, I’ve re-discovered radio, got my license and my VHF/UHF 
HT… and I’m still intrigued by those far away signals… who’s out there sending 
them, and where are they coming from? 

73,
Steve 
KM6ZNZ


> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:07 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
> Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX. 
> 
> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
> put up a simple wire antenna.
> 
> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his 
> software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of 
> noise. 
> 
> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
> new hobby. 
> 
> Point. Click.
> 
> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
> hand -- often fail to explain why. 
> 
> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he 
> could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that 
> CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with 
> the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 
> 
> I had all but given up. 
> 
> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
> bait.
> 
> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
> insisted we take the stairs down, too. 
> 
> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 
> 
> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
> 
> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
> 
> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 
> 
> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
> oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
> omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 
> 
> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
> two-minute drive from here?"
> 
> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier. 
> 
> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot. 
> 
> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care. 
> 
> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
> wounds.
> 
> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from 
> a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent 
> years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, 
> including iconic, hand-painted labels. 
> 
> My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
> twist-off.
> 
> "Opener?" he said. 
> 
> I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He 
> soon 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Bill Johnson]

Wayne,

As I constantly tell myself, never to late or too old to learn.  Your stories 
tells a lot.  I am encouraged to use CW more 

72 & 73,
Bill
K9YEQ
FT'er for K2, KX1, KX3, KXPA100,  KAT500, W2, etc. 

-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of Wayne Burdick
Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2020 1:50 PM
To: John 
Cc: Elecraft Reflector 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

Hi John,

Thanks for bringing Carl and Jerry to my attention. I'd never heard of until 
now (born too late, apparently). Here's a fascinating article about these 
fictional characters, from Popular Science, circa 1960:

   http://www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:56 AM, John  wrote:
> 
> Thanks Wayne.
> 
> Reminded me of Carl and Jerry.
> 
> 73.
> 
> John.
> 
> ve7day.
> 
> 
> On 12/07/2020 8:07 a.m., Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>> with DX.
>> 
>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
>> put up a simple wire antenna.
>> 
>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>> of noise.
>> 
>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
>> new hobby.
>> 
>> Point. Click.
>> 
>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>> by hand -- often fail to explain why.
>> 
>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.
>> 
>> I had all but given up.
>> 
>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>> bait.
>> 
>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
>> insisted we take the stairs down, too.
>> 
>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"
>> 
>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
>> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
>> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>> 
>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>> 
>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.
>> 
>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. 
>> We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.
>> 
>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>> two-minute drive from here?"
>> 
>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.
>> 
>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
>> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
>> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
>> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot.
>> 
>> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.
>> 
>> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
>> wounds.
>> 
>> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from 
>> a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent 
>> years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, 
>> including iconic, hand-painted labels.
>> 
>> My friend accepted the 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Bill Steffey NY9H]

wow  ...  he is so young !!!   I am so old,,,

I was just browsing thru several months of 1955 Pop electronics and 
reading the Carl & Jerry stories.


Here are ALL the PE magazines starting in 1954

https://worldradiohistory.com/Popular-Electronics-Guide.htm

Of course they save the world, with elecrtonics.


bill


On 7/12/2020 2:49 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote:

Hi John,

Thanks for bringing Carl and Jerry to my attention. I'd never heard of until 
now (born too late, apparently). Here's a fascinating article about these 
fictional characters, from Popular Science, circa 1960:

http://www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm

73,
Wayne
N6KR



On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:56 AM, John  wrote:

Thanks Wayne.

Reminded me of Carl and Jerry.

73.

John.

ve7day.


On 12/07/2020 8:07 a.m., Wayne Burdick wrote:

I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX.

I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
put up a simple wire antenna.

Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look back. 
Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare ones over a 
light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his software app 
for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of noise.

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
new hobby.

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
hand -- often fail to explain why.

I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept in, 
creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he could 
do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was 
the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.

I had all but given up.

Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the bait.

On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
insisted we take the stairs down, too.

"Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"

I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
ground floor invigorated by the effort.

"So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated twenty-dollar 
burger venue at least twice.

I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.

When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.

"What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a two-minute drive 
from here?"

I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water bottle, 
then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.

We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with blackberry 
bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but with teamwork 
and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls of fat, ripe 
berries, which we devoured on the spot.

We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.

"Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
wounds.

Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from a 
neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent years 
crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, including 
iconic, hand-painted labels.

My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
twist-off.

"Opener?" he said.

I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He soon 
discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at me 
with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this time.

I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds he'd 
collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to fashion a 
few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the caps, toasted his 
new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.

"Oh, one more thing," I said.

I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
surprised when I also 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi John,

Thanks for bringing Carl and Jerry to my attention. I'd never heard of until 
now (born too late, apparently). Here's a fascinating article about these 
fictional characters, from Popular Science, circa 1960:

   http://www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:56 AM, John  wrote:
> 
> Thanks Wayne.
> 
> Reminded me of Carl and Jerry.
> 
> 73.
> 
> John.
> 
> ve7day.
> 
> 
> On 12/07/2020 8:07 a.m., Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>> with DX.
>> 
>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
>> put up a simple wire antenna.
>> 
>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>> of noise.
>> 
>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
>> new hobby.
>> 
>> Point. Click.
>> 
>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>> by hand -- often fail to explain why.
>> 
>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.
>> 
>> I had all but given up.
>> 
>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>> bait.
>> 
>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
>> insisted we take the stairs down, too.
>> 
>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"
>> 
>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
>> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
>> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>> 
>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>> 
>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.
>> 
>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. 
>> We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.
>> 
>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>> two-minute drive from here?"
>> 
>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.
>> 
>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
>> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
>> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
>> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot.
>> 
>> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.
>> 
>> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
>> wounds.
>> 
>> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from 
>> a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent 
>> years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, 
>> including iconic, hand-painted labels.
>> 
>> My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
>> twist-off.
>> 
>> "Opener?" he said.
>> 
>> I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He 
>> soon discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked 
>> at me with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve 
>> this time.
>> 
>> I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
>> hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds 
>> he'd collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to 
>> fashion a few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the 
>> caps, toasted his new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.
>> 
>> "Oh, one more thing," I said.
>> 
>> I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
>> knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
>> surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We threw 
>> 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Wayne Burdick]

Hi JC,

Thanks for the note on CWOPS. I hope to sign up for this myself.

73,
Wayne
N6KR


> On Jul 12, 2020, at 10:38 AM, W6IPA  wrote:
> 
> Wayne,
> 
> This is great - however, here is how anyone can help train more CW operators. 
> I am still a beginner in CW, so I’m not yet feeling “competent". But I’m sure 
> this list has plenty of them. I received this from CWOPS’ CW Academy recently:
>> For a number of reasons, we are having an enormous number of students 
>> signing up for the Sep/Oct 2020 semester. We are anticipating somewhere in 
>> the neighborhood of 600 to 700 plus students. As it now stands, we are very 
>> short of competent advisors. We currently have around 75 advisors and with 
>> our target of approximately five or six students per advisor class, we 
>> really could use about 40 to 50 more advisors.
>> 
>> To that end, we see you are not signed up to take or teach a class this 
>> fall. Would you be willing to teach one or more Beginner, Basic, or 
>> Intermediate classes in September??
>> 
>> The curriculum is pretty much laid out and we will be glad to provide an 
>> orientation and answer any questions you may have. The commitment is only 
>> two nights per week of your choosing for a few hours. Check it out at 
>> cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options/
>> 
>> You do not have to be a member of CWops to be an advisor; just a willingness 
>> to give back and help fellow CW’ers move forward.
>> 
>> Your help is appreciated, 
>> CWA Management
>> 
>> 
> 
> JC/W6IPA

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[W6IPA]

Wayne,

This is great - however, here is how anyone can help train more CW operators. I 
am still a beginner in CW, so I’m not yet feeling “competent". But I’m sure 
this list has plenty of them. I received this from CWOPS’ CW Academy recently:
> For a number of reasons, we are having an enormous number of students signing 
> up for the Sep/Oct 2020 semester. We are anticipating somewhere in the 
> neighborhood of 600 to 700 plus students. As it now stands, we are very short 
> of competent advisors. We currently have around 75 advisors and with our 
> target of approximately five or six students per advisor class, we really 
> could use about 40 to 50 more advisors.
> 
> To that end, we see you are not signed up to take or teach a class this fall. 
> Would you be willing to teach one or more Beginner, Basic, or Intermediate 
> classes in September??
> 
> The curriculum is pretty much laid out and we will be glad to provide an 
> orientation and answer any questions you may have. The commitment is only two 
> nights per week of your choosing for a few hours. Check it out at 
> cwops.org/cw-academy/cw-academy-options/ 
> 
> You do not have to be a member of CWops to be an advisor; just a willingness 
> to give back and help fellow CW’ers move forward.
> 
> Your help is appreciated, 
> CWA Management
> 
> 

JC/W6IPA
__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Bill Frantz]

I love Wayne's story, which demonstrates how much more value you 
get from mastering activities that involve some difficulty. As 
others have pointed out, it is very well written too. However, 
sometimes those arguments don't work.



When that happens, my favorite argument is: And how do you ask 
for 5 units of type O+ blood on FT4/8?


I use FT4/8 frequently, but it always seems a bit like cheating 
because there is no good answer to the above question. 
Contesting and DXing started as practice for emergency 
communications, which is the reason many people give for getting 
their licenses. Emergency modes should allow for the above message.


As an example, when operating in Field Day, it is legal (I 
think) to use a cell phone as a link to an Internat based time 
server. Does this make sense for an EmComm based event? One can 
argue about GPS based time sync or high stability clocks, but 
modes that require time sync seem fragile in an emergency 
situation. What happens if a CME has taken out the GPS?


The good news is I made many CW contacts, along with some PSk31, 
RTTY, and voice contacts which don't have these problems.


73 Bill AE6JV

On 7/12/20 at 11:07 AM, n...@elecraft.com (Wayne Burdick) wrote:

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about 
this glorious new hobby.

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, 
slower path to ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still 
occasionally enjoy making waves by hand -- often fail to 
explain why.
I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his 
boredom crept in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd 
made for trying CW was that he could do it without a computer. 
Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was the original 
digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.

---
Bill Frantz| Can't fix stupid, but   | Periwinkle
(408)348-7900  | duct tape can muffle the| 150 Rivermead 
Road #235

www.pwpconsult.com | sound... - Bill Liebman | Peterborough, NY 03458

__
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Michael Downs]

Nice story Wayne. I’m 75 going on extinction. I always take the stairs too and 
I walk three to four miles a day. Keeps the mind clear and the fist strong. 73 
& good DX

Mike KS7D 
Sent from my iPhone
www.ks7d.com

> On Jul 12, 2020, at 11:26 AM, Jim Sheldon  wrote:
> 
> Outstanding story Wayne!  You're not the only one that has a ham friend like 
> that either.  Sometimes I get a bit frustrated when people ask me about the 
> hobby and why I only operate CW and my explanation falls on deaf ears.  I 
> think I will have to try your approach to the situation and see if I can't 
> get a few more interested.
> 
> The stairs are another thing though - LOL.  I'm 78 now with a very bad knee 
> and don't walk or climb stairs very well any more (though I do still try) and 
> I'm afraid most of the new hams I know that fit this category would leave me 
> behind very quickly - hi hi.
> 
> I learned to copy CW as a "Morse Intercept Operator" in the US Army back in 
> 1961, later taught myself to send with both a keyer and bug (I still prefer 
> the mechanical bug), got my ham license in 1963 and have never looked back.  
> Still use CW 99.5 percent of the time and only use phone when absolutely 
> necessary (mostly on the VHF/UHF FM repeaters).
> 
> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
> 
> 
> -- Original Message --
> From: "Wayne Burdick" 
> To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
> Sent: 7/12/2020 10:07:59 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."
> 
>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>> with DX.
>> 
>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
>> put up a simple wire antenna.
>> 
>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>> of noise.
>> 
>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
>> new hobby.
>> 
>> Point. Click.
>> 
>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>> by hand -- often fail to explain why.
>> 
>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.
>> 
>> I had all but given up.
>> 
>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>> bait.
>> 
>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
>> insisted we take the stairs down, too.
>> 
>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"
>> 
>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
>> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
>> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>> 
>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>> 
>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.
>> 
>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. 
>> We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.
>> 
>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>> two-minute drive from here?"
>> 
>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.
>> 
>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
>> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
>> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather sev

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[David Herring]

Wayne,

You know from our previous conversations that I am a writer as well. I so 
appreciate reading a good story that’s well written.

What takes a well written story from good to great is its effectiveness, that 
is, when the story causes the reader to move or act. 

I caught myself a few moments ago digging out my paddles with thoughts of 
dusting off my CW skills…

Nicely done!

73,
David - N5DCH



> On Jul 12, 2020, at 9:56 AM, John  wrote:
> 
> Thanks Wayne.
> 
> Reminded me of Carl and Jerry.
> 
> 73.
> 
> John.
> 
> ve7day.
> 
> 
> On 12/07/2020 8:07 a.m., Wayne Burdick wrote:
>> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years 
>> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued 
>> with DX.
>> 
>> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
>> put up a simple wire antenna.
>> 
>> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
>> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
>> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate 
>> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out 
>> of noise.
>> 
>> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
>> new hobby.
>> 
>> Point. Click.
>> 
>> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
>> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves 
>> by hand -- often fail to explain why.
>> 
>> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
>> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that 
>> he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion 
>> that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother 
>> with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.
>> 
>> I had all but given up.
>> 
>> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
>> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
>> bait.
>> 
>> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
>> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
>> insisted we take the stairs down, too.
>> 
>> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"
>> 
>> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
>> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
>> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>> 
>> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
>> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>> 
>> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.
>> 
>> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and 
>> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. 
>> We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.
>> 
>> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
>> two-minute drive from here?"
>> 
>> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
>> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.
>> 
>> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
>> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
>> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
>> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
>> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot.
>> 
>> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.
>> 
>> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
>> wounds.
>> 
>> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from 
>> a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent 
>> years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, 
>> including iconic, hand-painted labels.
>> 
>> My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
>> twist-off.
>> 
>> "Opener?" he said.
>> 
>> I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He 
>> soon discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked 
>> at me with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve 
>> this time.
>> 
>> I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
>> hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds 
>> he'd collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to 
>> fashion a few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the 
>> caps, toasted his new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.
>> 
>> "Oh, one more thing," I said.
>> 
>> I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
>> knew everything there was to 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[John]

Thanks Wayne.

Reminded me of Carl and Jerry.

73.

John.

ve7day.


On 12/07/2020 8:07 a.m., Wayne Burdick wrote:

I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX.

I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
put up a simple wire antenna.

Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look back. 
Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare ones over a 
light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his software app 
for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of noise.

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
new hobby.

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
hand -- often fail to explain why.

I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept in, 
creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he could 
do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was 
the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.

I had all but given up.

Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the bait.

On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
insisted we take the stairs down, too.

"Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"

I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
ground floor invigorated by the effort.

"So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated twenty-dollar 
burger venue at least twice.

I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.

When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.

"What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a two-minute drive 
from here?"

I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water bottle, 
then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.

We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with blackberry 
bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but with teamwork 
and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls of fat, ripe 
berries, which we devoured on the spot.

We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.

"Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
wounds.

Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from a 
neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent years 
crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, including 
iconic, hand-painted labels.

My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
twist-off.

"Opener?" he said.

I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He soon 
discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at me 
with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this time.

I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds he'd 
collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to fashion a 
few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the caps, toasted his 
new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.

"Oh, one more thing," I said.

I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We threw 
one wire in the closest tree and laid the other on the ground.

He didn't have to ask whether I'd brought a laptop.

We listened to CW signals up and down 20 meters, which was open to Europe at 
the time. As he tuned in each station, I copied for him using pencil and paper. 
He'd learned Morse code, but only at very slow speeds.

After making a contact, I set the internal keyer speed to 10 words per minute 
and dialed power output to zero, for practice purposes, then showed him how to 
use the paddle. He smiled as he got the hang of it. Sending the full alphabet 
was a challenge, but he got there. The KX2 decoded and displayed his keying, 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[David Thompson via Elecraft]

Morning Wayne,

From one writer to another, that was a very nice piece! Like Elecraft radios, 
it was well-crafted and had just the right amount of “stuff.”

I’ve been a ham for a little more than a year. I’ve worked quite a few stations 
using FT8 — because that is about all I can do here at the house. If have S7-S9 
noise because of ancient power equipment in my neighborhood. Phone is out of 
the question. So it was FT8 if I wanted to play radio at home.

Most of my ops are portable. I go out on weekends or during the week when I 
can, set up a portable station, and talk to other operators. I’m a little shy, 
so I’m not much of a ragchewer. But I like the contests, QSOPs, and working 
special event stations.

Last fall I enrolled in the CW Academy and completed Basic and Beginner. One of 
the mentors is running an ad hoc Intermediate class this summer. I’m up to 
about 10wpm now and continue practicing to get my copy speed up. I’m not good 
enough (yet) to run a frequency, but that’s my goal.

There have been many times I just sat at the rig, in the field, and tuned the 
bands… just listening to the other stations. I find something comforting in 
knowing there are these operators out there, communicating in a simple fashion 
using a relatively simple technology.

I’m hearing a few slow-code stations talking on 40m many evenings. If I’m home, 
I turn my web browser to one of the websdr sites and listen. 

On Wednesdays I can sometimes hear a few stations during the CWTs at home. I’ve 
even worked a few of them from home, with my slow, clumsy fist. 

I really dislike listening to stations on my home rig, an upgraded K3. Because 
of the noise, when I use NB/NR to get a better SNR, the tone is chopped up and 
does not sound pleasant to the ear, as it should. But it gives me the chance to 
work a couple of stations and it’s only an hour at a time, so I can tolerate it 
that long.

But I am enjoying my radios. I don’t mind working portable at all. The weather 
is often nice here in northern Nevada and I like the outdoors.

I am also enjoying the CW mode. In many respects I’m something of a purist and 
the CW mode appeals to that part of my personality. There is something clean 
about the tone of CW and well-sent More Code is quite musical.

I also prefer the stairs…

73 de AG7TX

David Thompson, AG7TX
Jack of All Trades
Master of None
dbthomp...@me.com




> On Jul 12, 2020, at 08:07, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
> Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX. 
> 
> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
> put up a simple wire antenna.
> 
> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his 
> software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of 
> noise. 
> 
> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
> new hobby. 
> 
> Point. Click.
> 
> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
> hand -- often fail to explain why. 
> 
> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he 
> could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that 
> CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with 
> the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 
> 
> I had all but given up. 
> 
> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
> bait.
> 
> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
> insisted we take the stairs down, too. 
> 
> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 
> 
> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
> 
> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
> 
> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 
> 
> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
> oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
> omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 
> 
> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
> two-minute drive from here?"
> 
> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Macy monkeys]

Great way to start a discussion on an otherwise lackluster Sunday! I'm even 
more of an reactionary  No personal computers attached to my rigs. And I've 
given up paddles and keyers for cooties. I'm hopelessly lost in the past!!

John K7FD

> On Jul 12, 2020, at 8:07 AM, Wayne Burdick  wrote:
> 
> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
> Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX. 
> 
> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
> put up a simple wire antenna.
> 
> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look 
> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare 
> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his 
> software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of 
> noise. 
> 
> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
> new hobby. 
> 
> Point. Click.
> 
> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
> hand -- often fail to explain why. 
> 
> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept 
> in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he 
> could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that 
> CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with 
> the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 
> 
> I had all but given up. 
> 
> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the 
> bait.
> 
> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
> insisted we take the stairs down, too. 
> 
> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 
> 
> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
> out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
> ground floor invigorated by the effort.
> 
> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated 
> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
> 
> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 
> 
> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
> oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
> omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 
> 
> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a 
> two-minute drive from here?"
> 
> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water 
> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier. 
> 
> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
> architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with 
> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but 
> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls 
> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot. 
> 
> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care. 
> 
> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
> wounds.
> 
> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from 
> a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent 
> years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, 
> including iconic, hand-painted labels. 
> 
> My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
> twist-off.
> 
> "Opener?" he said. 
> 
> I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He 
> soon discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at 
> me with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this 
> time. 
> 
> I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
> hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds he'd 
> collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to fashion a 
> few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the caps, toasted 
> his new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.
> 
> "Oh, one more thing," I said.
> 
> I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
> knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
> surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We threw 
> one wire in the closest tree and laid the other on the ground.
> 
> He didn't have to ask whether I'd brought a laptop.
> 
> We listened to CW signals up and down 20 meters, which was open to Europe at 
> the time. As he tuned in each station, I copied 

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Jim Sheldon]

Outstanding story Wayne!  You're not the only one that has a ham friend 
like that either.  Sometimes I get a bit frustrated when people ask me 
about the hobby and why I only operate CW and my explanation falls on 
deaf ears.  I think I will have to try your approach to the situation 
and see if I can't get a few more interested.


The stairs are another thing though - LOL.  I'm 78 now with a very bad 
knee and don't walk or climb stairs very well any more (though I do 
still try) and I'm afraid most of the new hams I know that fit this 
category would leave me behind very quickly - hi hi.


I learned to copy CW as a "Morse Intercept Operator" in the US Army back 
in 1961, later taught myself to send with both a keyer and bug (I still 
prefer the mechanical bug), got my ham license in 1963 and have never 
looked back.  Still use CW 99.5 percent of the time and only use phone 
when absolutely necessary (mostly on the VHF/UHF FM repeaters).


Jim Sheldon, W0EB


-- Original Message --
From: "Wayne Burdick" 
To: "Elecraft Reflector" 
Sent: 7/12/2020 10:07:59 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."


I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX.

I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
put up a simple wire antenna.

Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look back. 
Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare ones over a 
light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his software app 
for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of noise.

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
new hobby.

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
hand -- often fail to explain why.

I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept in, 
creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he could 
do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was 
the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB.

I had all but given up.

Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the bait.

On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
insisted we take the stairs down, too.

"Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"

I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
ground floor invigorated by the effort.

"So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated twenty-dollar 
burger venue at least twice.

I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.

When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.

"What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a two-minute drive 
from here?"

I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water bottle, 
then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.

We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with blackberry 
bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but with teamwork 
and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls of fat, ripe 
berries, which we devoured on the spot.

We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.

"Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
wounds.

Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from a 
neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent years 
crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, including 
iconic, hand-painted labels.

My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
twist-off.

"Opener?" he said.

I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He soon 
discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at me 
with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this time.

I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting.

Re: [Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[David Bunte]

Wayne -

That was one of the most beautiful stories I have heard in years... not
just because it was about ham radio, but because it was about so much
more... and wonderfully crafted as well. Many thanks for sharing.

Dave - K9FN (90 some percent CW with my K-Line)

On Sun, Jul 12, 2020 at 11:10 AM Wayne Burdick  wrote:

> I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years
> ago. Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued
> with DX.
>
> I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped
> him put up a simple wire antenna.
>
> Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look
> back. Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare
> ones over a light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate
> his software app for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out
> of noise.
>
> Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this
> glorious new hobby.
>
> Point. Click.
>
> In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to
> ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves
> by hand -- often fail to explain why.
>
> I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom
> crept in, creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was
> that he could do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the
> notion that CW was the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't
> bother with the classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over
> SSB.
>
> I had all but given up.
>
> Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I
> invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the
> bait.
>
> On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's
> glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office.
> I insisted we take the stairs down, too.
>
> "Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?"
>
> I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I
> wasn't out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged
> on the ground floor invigorated by the effort.
>
> "So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated
> twenty-dollar burger venue at least twice.
>
> I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen.
>
> When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and
> squeezing oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss
> cheese. We ate our omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze.
>
> "What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a
> two-minute drive from here?"
>
> I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water
> bottle, then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier.
>
> We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses'
> varied architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with
> blackberry bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but
> with teamwork and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls
> of fat, ripe berries, which we devoured on the spot.
>
> We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care.
>
> "Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring
> his wounds.
>
> Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained
> from a neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had
> spent years crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail,
> including iconic, hand-painted labels.
>
> My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a
> twist-off.
>
> "Opener?" he said.
>
> I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He
> soon discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked
> at me with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve
> this time.
>
> I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for
> its hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within
> seconds he'd collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the
> knife to fashion a few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We
> popped the caps, toasted his new-found skill, and traded stories of our
> misspent youths.
>
> "Oh, one more thing," I said.
>
> I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course
> he knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't
> surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We
> threw one wire in the closest tree and laid the other on the ground.
>
> He didn't have to ask whether I'd brought a laptop.
>
> We listened to CW signals up and down 20 meters, which was open to Europe
> at the time. As he tuned in each station, I copied for him using pencil and
> paper. He'd learned Morse code, 

[Elecraft] "On second thought, I'll take the stairs."

[Wayne Burdick]

I have a friend about my age who got into amateur radio only a few years ago. 
Like many of us, he was enthusiastic about the technology. Intrigued with DX. 

I showed him my station; we talked endlessly about gear. Later, I helped him 
put up a simple wire antenna.

Then, when his license arrived, he dove straight into FT8 and didn't look back. 
Within days, he'd worked all states, then DXCC. He'd bag a few rare ones over a 
light lunch, then pat his laptop on the back and congratulate his software app 
for its near-mythical ability to extract weak signals out of noise. 

Within weeks, he'd mastered everything there was to know about this glorious 
new hobby. 

Point. Click.

In this new world order, those of us who took the longer, slower path to 
ionospheric enlightenment -- and who still occasionally enjoy making waves by 
hand -- often fail to explain why. 

I had failed to explain it to my friend. Even as hints of his boredom crept in, 
creating an opening, the best argument I'd made for trying CW was that he could 
do it without a computer. Coming in a weak second was the notion that CW was 
the original digital mode. For obvious reasons, I didn't bother with the 
classic argument about CW's signal-to-noise advantage over SSB. 

I had all but given up. 

Then, in a moment of delayed clarity, I decided on a different approach. I 
invited him to a weekday brunch. A bit of an escape. He willingly took the bait.

On the appointed day, arriving at his workplace, I bypassed the lobby's 
glistening elevators and climbed the four flights of stairs to his office. I 
insisted we take the stairs down, too. 

"Why?" he asked. "And how'd you get up here so fast?" 

I pointed out that I always chose stairs, when possible. That's why I wasn't 
out of breath. We hustled down, jockeying for position, and emerged on the 
ground floor invigorated by the effort.

"So, where are we going?" he asked. We'd been to every overrated twenty-dollar 
burger venue at least twice.

I replied that we'd be going someplace we'd never tried. My kitchen. 

When we arrived, I put him to work chopping onions and broccoli and squeezing 
oranges while I whipped eggs into a froth and grated Swiss cheese. We ate our 
omelettes outside, in full sun and a cool breeze. 

"What's for desert?" he asked. "Isn't there a frozen yogurt place a two-minute 
drive from here?"

I had something else in mind. Back in the kitchen, I handed him a water bottle, 
then strapped on a small pack I'd prepared earlier. 

We walked a mile or so through my neighborhood, admiring the houses' varied 
architecture, ending up (as planned) at a local park festooned with blackberry 
bushes. The most accessible branches had been picked clean, but with teamwork 
and persistence we were able to gather several large handfuls of fat, ripe 
berries, which we devoured on the spot. 

We'd been poked and scratched but didn't care. 

"Doesn't brunch usually end with champagne?" he wondered aloud, admiring his 
wounds.

Not this time. I pulled out two bottles of craft beer that I'd obtained from a 
neighbor in trade for repairing his ancient home stereo. Carlos had spent years 
crafting an American pilsner to die for, sweating every detail, including 
iconic, hand-painted labels. 

My friend accepted the bottle, then tried in vain to remove the cap. Not a 
twist-off.

"Opener?" he said. 

I handed him a small pocket knife, an antique without specialty blades. He soon 
discovered it could not be used to remove the cap directly. He looked at me 
with a bemused expression, no doubt wondering what I had up my sleeve this 
time. 

I pointed out that we were surrounded by white oaks, a species known for its 
hard wood. He got the message, smiled, and began hunting. Within seconds he'd 
collected a small fallen branch. I watched as he used the knife to fashion a 
few inches of it into a passable bottle opener. We popped the caps, toasted his 
new-found skill, and traded stories of our misspent youths.

"Oh, one more thing," I said.

I pulled a KX2 out of my pack, along with two lengths of wire. Of course he 
knew everything there was to know about Elecraft, and me, so he wasn't 
surprised when I also pulled out the rig's attachable keyer paddle. We threw 
one wire in the closest tree and laid the other on the ground.

He didn't have to ask whether I'd brought a laptop.

We listened to CW signals up and down 20 meters, which was open to Europe at 
the time. As he tuned in each station, I copied for him using pencil and paper. 
He'd learned Morse code, but only at very slow speeds. 

After making a contact, I set the internal keyer speed to 10 words per minute 
and dialed power output to zero, for practice purposes, then showed him how to 
use the paddle. He smiled as he got the hang of it. Sending the full alphabet 
was a challenge, but he got there. The KX2 decoded and displayed his keying, 
providing confirmation. 

We'd blown through his allotted lunch break by a factor of three, so it