|
| |
I was excited to read this page by Pete Riker, K4BKD, from the March 2007
issue of QST magazine entitled, "The Top 10 Reasons to Try Morse Code."
What he said made a lot of sense.
- It's a new way to communicate for most folks. You will know
something that most people don't know. You won't learn it overnight
and it takes practice, but it will give you a unique skill. Be proud
of your skill because you earned it.
- You don't have to speak so you can make contacts even if you have a bad
cold or laryngitis. With headphones you can operate in room, or in the
home, without disturbing others unless, of course, you burst out laughing.
- On CW no one knows your age so it transcends the age barrier. It
can bring younger and older folks together.
- Morse makes you use your brain. It helps, indeed, it forces you to
focus. Research shows that for the aging brain you use it or lose it.
- You don't necessarily need high-power equipment and super-duper antennas
to make contacts. As a novice I had only 35 watts of power and a
simple long-wire antenna. QRP (low-power) operators make incredible
contacts.
- My most memorable contacts have been made on CW. Quite often they
have come when I least expected them.
- CW is great for working DX because there is no language barrier. Q
signals are internationally recognized.
And, in a letter to the editor, Bob W9KNI, states that since the code is no
longer required one can now concentrate on learning how to operate instead of
concentrating on passing a code test. The test is a simulation. When
you actually get on the air you have a vested interest in what's going on.
You're out there making contacts in the real world.
Okay, so that guy you're hearing is sending at a bazillion words per minute.
Yeah? So? After getting your new driver's license are you going to
jump into a race car and do the Indianapolis 500? I don't think so. That's
where the members of FISTS come in.
There are operators out there willing to help you learn and to use the CW mode.
Just do it.
|
