|
CW's more fun than SSB
|
I'm glad I learned code back in 1970. I'm interested in Contesting, CW Contesting. Phone is boring by comparison. Today I cracked a pileup and worked a TA on 15 meters from my car on cw--that was fun. In my case, not being a techie, I found learning the theory more difficult than learning 7 wpm code.
73, Paul
VE3ZT
Posted by
Anonymous
on August 19, 2001
|
|
Knew it already
|
The reason I got a ticket, was so that I could transmit using code! I already knew code before getting my ticket. I used to listen to the coastal CW stations as much as I could, because being the SWL that I was at the time, if I heard a signal, I wanted to read the contents (it still applies today!). I got many QSL cards from those stations, many of them with operators that were hams, also. They encouraged me to get my ticket and so I did!
KN8AW
Posted by
Anonymous
on August 17, 2001
|
|
morse code
|
|
knowing the morse code is a must for the avid vhf man cuz all beacons are in cw.lyle n4qh
Posted by
Anonymous
on August 5, 2001
|
|
CW is just plain fun
|
|
I came in as a No-Code, and now work CW over 90% of the time. The No-Code ticket is a good way to get people intested and taking their first baby steps in the hobby, because you just have to take one step at a time, and getting around on the repeaters a bit is a good place to start. You also get to meet some of the Ham community, and I just think it's a good way to get your feel wet. That being said, I hope the CW requirement is retained. Anyone ought to be able to get 5 wpm if they work at it, and after that, if you decide you like the mode, you will improve. My thought is that you cannot legislate good ops, they are made, not born. It takes a lot of work to get good at any aspect of Ham Radio, and myself, I love CW. I just wish that some of those who have been doing CW forever would remember that they were beginners once and cut the newbies some slack. A little time and patience and work, and they will be good ops as well.
Posted by
n5xm
on August 4, 2001
|
|
BSA and Morse
|
"Back in the stone age" when I was a Boy
Scout, there was a "signaling" requirement
for First-Class Scout rank. Morse worked
for me, using wig-wag flags and all that.
I wasn't licensed until ten years after that.
Posted by
KR0U
on August 2, 2001
|
|
Sure!!!???
|
I voted "Sure", but I can't be 100% sure.
I joined the Navy at age 19. Uncle Sam made me listen to code 4 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 6 months. I was not a ham then, and had no thought of being a ham. That was 1965. In 1972, W3FPP head me tapping out code with a pencil on a desk at work. He asked me if "that was morse?". I said yes and he said you should get a ham license if you already know the code. I doubt I'd be a ham today had he not noticed what I was doing and made the comment. Then again.....ya never know.
Ed/WA3SES
Posted by
Anonymous
on August 1, 2001
|
|
I would have learned it anyway.
|
I would have learned CW (Morse Code), anyway. After all, it does get through when the other modes won't. It's by far the best way to operate QRP. And it's just plain neat, not to mention a lot of fun. I think that is it's main appeal to me. It's fun, and (now), rather unique to ham radio. 73 Clinton AB7RG
Posted by
AB7RG
on August 1, 2001
|
|
CW requirement
|
Had a "no code" license been available when I becam interested in ham radio, I probably would have taken that path and would have gone no further. Because it was required, I learned it. Because I had to be more proficient to upgrade to general, I used MORSE and became more proficient--with the intention of throwing away my key when I became a General. As a high school kid (then) I couldn't afford much of a station--so I kept on operating CW. I started to (reluctantly) admit that this CW stuff wasn't too bad.
When the first vanity callsign program began in the mid-70's, it wasn't too tough for me to pass the 20 WPM test--lots of practice does help.
Beyond 20 WPM I found I could throw the pencil away and just copy in my head and that really made cw fun.
Today? Well I like contest CW and anything under 30 WPM seems soooo slow.
MY conclusion? That mandatory CW and incentive licensing worked.
Perhaps in 50 years we';ll look back on CW as we do on spark and AM today. But perhaps the absolute simplicity of CW radios and the absence of a "required" computer will keep CW alive even as modes like PSK31 begin to prevail.. de K3YD
Posted by
Anonymous
on August 1, 2001
|
|
Free the Airwaves!!
|
OK, I'm very mixed on this.
I'm very very glad I had to learn CW as it's my favorite mode by far and I probably wouldn't have learned it unless I had to.
But, as a goverment minimalist (can you say "Libertarian?"), I don't think the government (or FCC) should control radio. Free the airwaves! Forget nocode licensing, how about no-license licensing!!
So, I'm mixed. We don't need any more bozos on our bands. Maybe 11 meters and something around 5-10 Mhz should be license free, and we should retain out 30WPM code test (or was that 20WPM_
73
Ted KR1G
Posted by
kr1g
on July 31, 2001
|
|
CW is fun!
|
Obvious. But True. I learned CW before I got my license. I was 14 Y/O, using a straight key model 1890 and an oscilator that my father (LU6EBY) built for me. I was anxious to know what that dit daah music I used to hear at night on 80 was all about! Loved CW ever since.
As speedy KL9A says "...CW RULZ!!!!"
73
LW9EUJ
Posted by
LW9EUJ
on July 31, 2001
|
|
cw 4EVER
|
I,too,hated cw at first. I told anyone who would listen that I was going to
pack my key"on a slow boat to China"when I got my General. This was
in 1962 when I was a novice. I am still using Cw and always will!!
Posted by
wa2yjf
on July 30, 2001
|
|
I had no choice
|
My family ganged up on me.
Uncle, Army signal corp, licensed since 1950.
Father, licensed since 1974.
I held out till 1992. Now I really enjoy it.
I haven't done a CW contest yet, that will change this fall. Be gentle.
Posted by
N0RKX
on July 30, 2001
|
|
It was what attracted me...
|
Call me sick, but having attempted to learn Morse code from a listing printed on a pair of walkie talkies I had as a kid, and again during Scouting, I had this gnawing urge so that when I was exposed to radio in 9th grade I jumped at the chance.
Today, CW is hands down THE best mode to contest in.
Posted by
N2MG
on July 30, 2001
|
|
CW 4 ever
|
|
KL9A is not alone with it ;) I also hated CW before I had to learn it. Today I know that CW is the greatest thing in HAM radio!
Posted by
DJ1YFK
on July 30, 2001
|
|
CW is a good thing
|
|
I would never have learned CW if it wasn't required. I was the poster child for getting rid of CW. It's a good thing that it is required, or I would not be doing ham radio anymore I'm sure. I would bet that I'm not alone on this... CW RULZ. :)
Posted by
KL9A
on July 29, 2001
|
|
To post a comment, you must be logged in.
If you are not a member, become one now!
|
68% (294)