[TenTec] New generation ham's

[Marinus Loewensteijn]

Geoff
 
thanks for the response. Me thinks (without intending to offend anyone) that technology is rapidly changing this world and if mankind does not watch out it will be extinct in a short timeframe. There is far too much reliance on technology and then it becomes "oops". We need to look only at what happened during nature's havoc in New Orleans when Katrina hit. 
 
It is my opinion that with the younger generation there is just not that amount of self reliance / self discipline to get them to stick with anything. (except wanting to be entertained and having something for free) 
 
Same applies to ham radio. How many are able to do head copy? How many are able to listen to a straight key? There are already a number of CW stations (not operators) that if the code is not computer generated and exactly on frequency then they cannot copy. 
 
Recently there was a local ham lamenting how there are these "old fogies" who "still hang on to their archaic gear" and cannot "work nicely on frequency" because they have an analogue (and not digital) readout and their equipment "drifts all over the place" .
 
If I was not plagued by arthritis I would use a straight key, as it is I am using a paddle. Refuse to go to keyboard generated code, am already doing enough typing. Might as well use the internet, for me using a keyboard is taking the fun away. It is much like playing an instrument - how many young people get involved in playing music on simple instruments? They all want synthesizers etc. and in the end it all sounds the same.
 
Peace to all, 73, Marinus.
 
_________________________________________________________________
Discover the new Windows Vista
http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE