[DX-CHAT] Happy Christmas
I would like to wish the Membership a very Happy Christmas from London and ofcourse a Happy and prosperous New Year. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone for their help and for the hours of happy reading of postings within the forum. Best 73 and Good DX Mike Giddings G3XLB __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
I have to figure out why I've started spelling publicly as publically. Annoying! Merry Christmas all. 73, Joe KQ3F At 06:25 AM 12/24/2006 -0500, Joe Stepansky wrote: At 10:05 PM 12/23/2006 -0500, lmecseri -KE1F wrote: Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( And I had to do the same in downtown Philadelphia, and I haven't yet reached 50. So what? That was 1974. We're almost in 2007. There was no publically accessible internet. There were no personal computers. There were no cellphones. A child born when I passed the Extra exam may now be pushing for (or be) partner at a major law firm. Times change and we must change with them. My guess is that those QRMing most any major DX pileup (or being an obnoxious frequency cop) passed a CW test. It's not an exclusive arbiter of good behavior. I also think amateur radio will be fine. If not, it won't be because of no-code, but rather because we didn't make it attractive for newbies. And yes, I can send/receive 40 wpm with ease. If I were king SSB contests would be banished to history's dustbin (OK, not really). I prefer CW for a variety of reasons. But times change. 73, Joe KQ3F Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. I don't have mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:50 AM To: Shelby Summerville Cc: DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD But since CW is no longer a requirement for a HAM license the mode CW is not and will not be popular. 73s Lou KE1F Shelby Summerville wrote: On 12/19, I wrote: I thought I worked VU7LD/VU3ELR, 12/16, 1455Z, 20 SSB. Now, according to the online log, I DID work VU7LD/VU3ELR on 12/16! My apologies to anyone that I may have caused not to work VU7, as I again worked VU7LD/VU3RSB, yesterday. I assure y'all that I'm NOT a DX hog, nor do I have any desire for that reputation! Happy Holidays 73, Shelby - K4WW Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
Lou and Bill.I think that the FCC in those days hand picked the examiners.they were usually unsmiling and quite menacing to the young applicants. Most of the time the field office was a smelly, musty space; many cigarette smokers at that time. I dont think any of those things worked as a detriment; most passed their tests in those days. 73 Norm K1AA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN ; DX-Chat Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. I don't have mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:50 AM To: Shelby Summerville Cc: DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD But since CW is no longer a requirement for a HAM license the mode CW is not and will not be popular. 73s Lou KE1F Shelby Summerville wrote: On 12/19, I wrote: I thought I worked VU7LD/VU3ELR, 12/16, 1455Z, 20 SSB. Now, according to the online log, I DID work VU7LD/VU3ELR on 12/16! My apologies to anyone that I may have caused not to work VU7, as I again worked VU7LD/VU3RSB, yesterday. I assure y'all that I'm NOT a DX hog, nor do I have any desire for that reputation! Happy Holidays 73, Shelby - K4WW Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
That was Dave Plotkin I believe. Norm Gertz wrote: Lou and Bill.I think that the FCC in those days hand picked the examiners.they were usually unsmiling and quite menacing to the young applicants. Most of the time the field office was a smelly, musty space; many cigarette smokers at that time. I dont think any of those things worked as a detriment; most passed their tests in those days. 73 Norm K1AA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN ; DX-Chat Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. I don't have mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:50 AM To: Shelby Summerville Cc: DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD But since CW is no longer a requirement for a HAM license the mode CW is not and will not be popular. 73s Lou KE1F Shelby Summerville wrote: On 12/19, I wrote: I thought I worked VU7LD/VU3ELR, 12/16, 1455Z, 20 SSB. Now, according to the online log, I DID work VU7LD/VU3ELR on 12/16! My apologies to anyone that I may have caused not to work VU7, as I again worked VU7LD/VU3RSB, yesterday. I assure y'all that I'm NOT a DX hog, nor do I have any desire for that reputation! Happy Holidays 73, Shelby - K4WW Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org -- Larry Alkoff N2LA - Austin TX Using Thunderbird on Linux Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
Correction that was David Popkin. Norm Gertz wrote: Lou and Bill.I think that the FCC in those days hand picked the examiners.they were usually unsmiling and quite menacing to the young applicants. Most of the time the field office was a smelly, musty space; many cigarette smokers at that time. I dont think any of those things worked as a detriment; most passed their tests in those days. 73 Norm K1AA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN ; DX-Chat Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. I don't have mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:50 AM To: Shelby Summerville Cc: DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD But since CW is no longer a requirement for a HAM license the mode CW is not and will not be popular. 73s Lou KE1F Shelby Summerville wrote: On 12/19, I wrote: I thought I worked VU7LD/VU3ELR, 12/16, 1455Z, 20 SSB. Now, according to the online log, I DID work VU7LD/VU3ELR on 12/16! My apologies to anyone that I may have caused not to work VU7, as I again worked VU7LD/VU3RSB, yesterday. I assure y'all that I'm NOT a DX hog, nor do I have any desire for that reputation! Happy Holidays 73, Shelby - K4WW Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org -- Larry Alkoff N2LA - Austin TX Using Thunderbird on Linux Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
I remember him, too. I took my Extra in 1972. CW was a breeze as I was already a QRQ guy and after grading the written he just looked up and congratulated me. Maybe he was pleasant cuz I was only 15. Barry W2UP Larry Alkoff wrote: Correction that was David Popkin. Norm Gertz wrote: Lou and Bill.I think that the FCC in those days hand picked the examiners.they were usually unsmiling and quite menacing to the young applicants. Most of the time the field office was a smelly, musty space; many cigarette smokers at that time. I dont think any of those things worked as a detriment; most passed their tests in those days. 73 Norm K1AA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN ; DX-Chat Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtownManhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. Idon'thave mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006 6:50 AM To: Shelby Summerville Cc: DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD But since CW is no longer a requirement for a HAM license the mode CW is not and will not be popular. 73s Lou KE1F Shelby Summerville wrote: On 12/19, I wrote: I thought I worked VU7LD/VU3ELR, 12/16, 1455Z, 20 SSB. Now, according to the online log, I DID work VU7LD/VU3ELR on 12/16! My apologies to anyone that I may have caused not to work VU7, as I again worked VU7LD/VU3RSB, yesterday. I assure y'all that I'm NOT a DX hog, nor do I have any desire for that reputation! Happy Holidays 73, Shelby - K4WW Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org -- Barry Kutner, W2UP Newtown, PA Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD
Of Popkingram fame (or infamy)? If you're a stamp collector, he's almost worth getting an OO notice from... he uses stamps I haven't seen in circulation in 35-40 years! I took my Extra before the FCC in Huntington, WV; ironically, this was the next-to-last exam in the region (there was another one scheduled 2 months later in Monroeville PA just outside of Pittsburgh; I was signed up for that one too, but never needed to go obviously). Stayed in the motel where the test was being given the night before. Marched in at 8:00 AM to take my code test; ended up passing it by 7 out of 10 on the fill-in-the-blank (found out later that I also had over 2 minutes of solid copy). Started working on the theory as soon as I was notified I'd passed the code; during which time the 13 WPM code testers came in. Finished my exam about, oh, 9:30 or so and waited. And waited. And waited... seems the examiner was grading each test off the top of the pile -- and as you turned in your test, it too got put on the top of the pile, and I was too scared to say anything or leave the room! Finally, around 11:45, the father son I drove down with poked their heads in to see what was going on, since I had to check out at noon! The Examiner left the room for a moment -- found out that he personally called the front desk to say it was his fault, and asked them not to charge me a late fee (they didn't). Finally, around 12:15 or so, I get called up, he gives me a strange look, and says you know, you made it by the skin of your teeth! I had just passed the Extra theory with no margin for error! I was in a VERY good mood on the way home! ...the irony of this is that I barely studied the theory -- I had concentrated on the code test, figuring I could get the code in WV, with Monroeville as last resort on that, and that I'd have 2 months to study the theory. But you think I complained? 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Larry Alkoff Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 3:26 PM To: Norm Gertz Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Ron Notarius W3WN; DX-Chat Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Correction that was David Popkin. Norm Gertz wrote: Lou and Bill.I think that the FCC in those days hand picked the examiners.they were usually unsmiling and quite menacing to the young applicants. Most of the time the field office was a smelly, musty space; many cigarette smokers at that time. I dont think any of those things worked as a detriment; most passed their tests in those days. 73 Norm K1AA - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN ; DX-Chat Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD Hi Lou- Yes, I know who you are talking about. The old buzzard must have been there for ages, I'm just about 61 now. I had to take my general/advanced in NYC in the 70's. I think everyone was scared of the old guy. But he was fair and accurate. Saw him fail a priest on my visit. 73 Bill W2PKY - Original Message - From: lmecseri -KE1F Date: Saturday, December 23, 2006 10:12 pm Subject: Re: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Ron Notarius W3WN , DX-Chat Guys, To get my Extra, I had to demonstrate my CW sending skill in downtown Manhattan to a very old FCC officer. (I will be 70 in January) :-( I love CW, I do only CW and RTTY contesting, I don't do phone. I don't have mic connected to my HF radio. Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. 73s Lou KE1F [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hello Ron- Have operated most modes but still come back to CW. Enjoy nailing a big DX station in a pile up! Says it all! Bill - Original Message - From: Ron Notarius W3WN Date: Thursday, December 21, 2006 8:46 pm Subject: RE: [DX-CHAT] VU7LD To: DX-Chat Sorry you feel that way Lou. However, I think you're grossly mistaken. If anything, I think the opposite will occur. Those who continue to operate on CW will do so because they enjoy it, not because they're trying to get their code speeds up to pass a test. It follows then that if it is enjoyed, it will maintain at least some modicum of popularity. CW is an acquired taste. Not everyone acquires it. It took me a long time to really settle down and enjoy it. I actually find that lately I spend much more time cruising the exclusive CW sub-bands for DX and ragchews than I do the Phone 'bands. Never in a googleplex of nanoseconds thought that would happen! 73 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] BehalfOf lmecseri -KE1F Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2006
[DX-CHAT] exams
Remember the Federal Building in Chicago very well. The FCC examiner was a slight guy with those round glasses that he could barely see through. Sending and receiving was required then. My first sending test was with the FCC's bug which promptly fell apart as I started. The examiner then gave me a straight key for the sending exam. You had to pass the sending exam before taking the written test, then the receiving exam. Failing any part meant a thirty day wait before another attempt. A day off from work was necessary and a train ride into Chicago was also necessary. The waiting room was the hallway outside the examining room. There was no better news than hearing the FCC proctor telling you that you had passed all phases of the exam. The sending and receiving exams failed many a potential ham who didn't have the drive or persistence to stay with it. Going from novice, General, Advanced then Extra was an expensive proposition in those days when a day off from work was in order. I remember the huge hullabaloo when incentive licensing was introduced. All the talk was how it would ruin ham radio and make a potential ham walk to some other hobby. That sure didn't happen. There was a license called the Conditional for those people who lived more than 100 airline miles from an FCC office which gave the same privilege as the General class license. It was administered at home. Vy 73 to all, de W9UM, Nick War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is Strength Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, dx-chat@njdxa.org This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
Re: [DX-CHAT] exams
Thanks all for your stories. Sounds like we all had similar feelings when going for the upgrade. Great hobby that will be with us for for ever. 73; Bill W2PKY
