[CQ-Contest] Dead horse

[Paul O'Kane]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <steve.root at culligan4water.com>

Snip.

> Those skills are basically
> obsolete and have been replaced by hardware and software:

Yes, and sails have been replaced by engines, so all
sailing boats are obsolete?

And walking has been replaced by cars, so walking is
obsolete?

I don't think so.

In any given activity, participants agree to a set
of limits on what they do - otherwise they are
taking part in a different type of activity. 

Many people would argue that amateur radio itself is
already an obsolete activity?  Who, in their right
minds, would bother with RF and the ionosphere when
they have (almost) free worldwide comms on cell phones
and the internet?  And isn't morse code, decoded
the traditional way, only for old men and cranks?

While it may not be obsolete, amateur radio is
nevertheless a legacy hobby, albeit with some high-
tech and expensive accessories.  But it's not the
internet, or any other type of wired comms system.
Radio amateurs use RF for its own sake.

There will always be new technology - the question
is whether it is appropriate, or whether it corrupts
(I can't think of a better word).

I will continue to practice and perfect my CW
contesting skills, however inadequate they may be,
without resorting to certain advanced technologies
that could make those skills obsolete.

73,
Paul EI5DI