Topband: DX Window

[Bill Cromwell]

On Fri, 2012-12-07 at 17:48 +0000, Missouri Guy wrote:
> > With electronic log submission easy to enforce, just invalidate any
> > QSOs by W/VE run stations in the window.
>  
> That's not practical to enforce via logs because some participants 
> may be using radios that have no connection to the computer other than
> the
> key line.
>  
> 73 Charlie, N0TT

Hah!

That "key line" is one more connection than my radio has to a computer.
My computer is actually turned on while am on the air more than it was
even last year. Sometimes I'm actually *using* the computer.

A couple of years ago I updated my station to use just one mechanical
switch that I throw to go from transmit to receive or back again. The
switch and the morse key are arranged so I can T/R with my left hand and
immediately start sending CW OR grab the pencil and write. Either
direction takes a fraction of a second.

Before that I used a T/R system published by R. Goldberg that involved a
chicken running back and forth pecking appropriate buttons while
plugging and unplugging patch cables. I had to install the present
system after a fine chicken dinner one day.

I know of some hams who do NOT even have a computer.

73,

Bill  KU8H