Now...I am not a contester; I play in them to pick up whatever
band/mode/state/etc fills I can find, and generally have fun. And a VK3 point
is mostly appreciated because there are not that many of us around.
I am also not a CW aficionado. I cannot read speed above about 8-10 WPM and
have absolutely no interest in acquiring that skill. I also send code by
machine, 'cause it's way easier, and much better, than doing it myself.
Yes folks, I am what is known as a CW cretin, barely tolerable on the bands
beside those venerable skilled CW fogies of 80 years ago. And my wife often
calls me worse than that!
But I play in/with the CW mode, because modern software allows me to do so.
Which includes dabbling in contests. And, what I seem to be doing in every
contest I do play in, which includes a cameo appearance in many smaller,
regionalised contests is come upon someone who will insist in operating at 35+
WPM, and in doing so manages to send generally disgusting code (so my software
tells me!) and cause much QRM asking for NR repeats and the like.
I love ( I mean, I really LOVE) going back at these types at about five WPM
faster than they are operating at, then sit back and watch what happens! Very
regularly they vacate the frequency and can be found, doing the very same
thing, a few kHz away. But I win the day because I have taken them out of their
self-regulated, controlling, CW comfort zone. About once every 500 contest
QSOs, I meet one of these people. Almost invariably from what was known as
eastern Europe - although not always!
Do I feel guilty - nope, it is part of the 'fun' I mentioned earlier.
As for 'cut' numbers - never realised they created in so many folks so much
angst - I PROMISE I will never use them again. Promise. Except for the
ubiquitous 5NN of course - then again, that's different, if I read the posts
right!
Ernie Walls VK3FM
Vk3fm@wallsy.com.au<mailto:Vk3fm@wallsy.com.au>
Mobile 0418 301 483
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