Topband: Lack of DX CW Activity

[David Raymond]

I don't know if I would call it lazy but it certainly is a matter of 
ease and convenience.  Just look at all the new expeditions that focus 
primarily, if not exclusively, on FT-8.  No need to for seasoned, highly 
skilled, ace operators to dig out weak calls signs from huge CW piles 
which sound like a swarm of buzzing mosquitos. . . or SSB piles for that 
matter.  My 11 year old great nephew could run the piles once things got 
set up.

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

On 1/5/2024 1:08 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On 1/5/2024 10:53 AM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
>> My personal
>> feeling is some people are lazy.
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> It has NOTHING to do with lazy. It has everything to do with NOISE. 
> Those of us not living in the middle of nowhere have greatly increased 
> noise levels over the last 20 years. When I moved to W6 in 2006, I 
> could work EU on CW several nights a year (remember, we have to go 
> through the auroral oval to get there). In the last seven years, I've 
> heard six EU stations on CW, and two have heard me. And that's with 
> the same TX and RX antennas.
>
> Using FT8, I made several dozen EU QSOs during solar minima years, 
> adding about 25 countries. My computer did not build my station, did 
> not put up my antennas, and I learned propagation through extensive 
> study.
>
> Sitting in VE9, is like running home from third base and thinking you 
> hit a home run.
>
> Thanks for the RAC QSOs.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
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