[Amps] QSK

[Jim Kearman]

From: Joe Isabella <n3ji at yahoo.com>
> Effortless contacts are quickly forgotten, at least in my mind.

Hams who have done much CW DXing know that hitting the button at the right instant can make the difference. I don't equate current levels of station automation with "effortless" by any stretch. 
  
>   If the PC is doing all the work, maybe the QSL card and DX award certificate 
> should have "Dell Dimension" as the operator, not your callsign.

I guess it depends on how you define "all the work." You won't win a contest with a PC-driven station connected to a wet piece of string. Stations win contests win because the owners put in a great deal of effort, building the station and learning to operate it, long before they booted up their PCs. I'm not aware of any software that can reliably extract callsigns from pileups, either voice or CW. AFAIK that is still being done by the software between the operator's ears. Making 180 Qs an hour is somewhat more difficult than listening to the OTs on 3880 or 7290, regardless of the technology in your shack.

I notice a Henry amplifier in your shack photo at QRZ. Don't you think using an amplifier makes it a little too easy? I see a ricebox and a laptop, too. If you equate having fun with busting your chops, why compromise? Seems to me that glowbug QRP would be more to your liking. 

73,

Jim, KR1S
http://kr1s.kearman.com/