[CQ-Contest] Contesters on CW (was: FCC on CW)

[Randy Thompson]

I am very happy there are people out there who want to become hams to
provide local communication and "chase storms and parades."  In terms of
protecting the future of our hobby, they are doing a more valuable service
than those of us yelling "59" all weekend.

Ham radio is big enough to have many special interest groups.  Whether you
enjoy competition, public service, experimenting, digital communication,
building stuff, antennas, etc., there is plenty of room.

There is probably a percentage of the population that would enjoy the sport
of contesting.  If you work the numbers, the more people who are brought
into ham radio, and assuming contesting "gets its percentage", then the more
contesters there will be.  Same goes for CW.

More is good.

Randy, K5ZD


> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of John Geiger
> Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 6:16 PM
> To: Ward Silver; CQ-Contest Reflector
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contesters on CW (was: FCC on CW)
> 
> Where is it written that everyone should become a ham?  We 
> seem to have this idea that we need to get as many hams as 
> possible, so are willing to sacrifice quality for quantity.  
> Most people will never be interested in ham radio, and most 
> hams will never be interested in contesting or DXing.  Go to 
> your next local club meeting, do a nice presentation on the 
> joys of contesting, and see how many people really get 
> interested.  Most seem to want to become hams solely for the 
> local communications aspect, so they can chase storms and 
> parades around and feel important.
> 
> 73s John NE0P
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ward Silver" <hwardsil at centurytel.net>
> To: "CQ-Contest Reflector" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 4:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Contesters on CW (was: FCC on CW)
> 
> 
> > > Imagine if you weren't allowed to get on the Internet until you 
> > > could demonstrate proficiency with TCP/IP and routing protocols?  
> > > And if at first you could only get a 192.168.1.X address so you 
> > > could be on a local LAN?
> > > And only after an exhaustive set of exams and hard work could you 
> > > ping www.k1ttt.net?
> >
> > I believe this is a good description of the Internet before 
> about 1995.
> And
> > guess what?  Most people did not use the Internet!
> >
> > The Internet was a much different environment (old timers will work 
> > their gums, lick their drying lips and recall how much 
> better is was 
> > then and where's the nurse?) where text was king and images files.  
> > Not entirely different stylistically than the Grand Old Days of 
> > one-tube rigs and open-wire feeders and snappy traffic 
> handling every 
> > night. Assuming the world tends to operate at a normal 
> level of chaos 
> > and squalor, there are short periods of time when technology or 
> > philosophy manages to create a temporary deviation from the 
> norm, for 
> > better or worse.  Such is life and things tend back to the 
> norm - the bell curve is a powerful thing.
> >
> > CW may have some life in it, yet - if we can communicate why it is 
> > enjoyable.  Recall, too, that fly fishing was a dying art until 
> > various sources communicated its beauties and now you can't swing a 
> > cat on some rivers without getting snagged by some guy in 
> $500 designer waders.
> Instead
> > of berating people for not fly fishing, it might be slightly more
> productive
> > to show them why fly fishing is so danged neat and help 
> them learn it.
> >
> > If we are successful in communicating the joys of CW, including and 
> > especially CW contesting (obligatory contest content), I 
> see no reason 
> > why it will not continue to attract a large number of 
> aficionados that 
> > find typing to each other too much like a regular job :-)
> >
> > 73, Ward N0AX
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > CQ-Contest mailing list
> > CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest