QRZ! Ham Radio 3/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 3.iso/digests/infoham/931511.txt

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Date: Sun, 26 Dec 93 16:40:31 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: Bulk
Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1511
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Sun, 26 Dec 93       Volume 93 : Issue 1511

Today's Topics:
                         cw waivers (2 msgs)
     Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 25 December
   Good Stores/Mail Order/Emergency Use in Car - very long/rambling
                       Help on USA Ham-prefix !
                       QSL Route for XF4CI ???
                             was waivers
                 Where are all the young enthusiasts?

Send Replies or notes for publication to: <[e-mail]>
Send subscription requests to: <[e-mail]>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to [e-mail].

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams".

We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
policies or positions of any party.  Your mileage may vary.  So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 26 Dec 1993 19:30:18 GMT
From: usc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: cw waivers
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] claims:

>Anyone with a learning disorder and a doctor can get a code waiver by
>just making an appointment.  I know a few people who have gotten one
>by simply picking up the phone and telling their doctor they need it!

  I believe the original posting was another complaint about the
  5 wpm code requirement, and unless the rules have changed very
  recently you cannot get a medical waiver for that, only for the
  13 and 20 wpm tests.

>I recognize it as a nearly obsolete mode that is primarily still alive
>for sentimental reasons.

  This is pure baloney.  CW has never been obsolete.  You may not like
  contesting, but for every phone contest there is a CW contest.  The
  best contesters are not interested in using obsolete modes, so why
  do these contests still exist and generate so much activity?  You may
  not like DXing, but all major expeditions operate mainly SSB phone and
  CW.  Why would people spend thousands of dollars to activate a rare
  country, aim to make as many QSOs as possible and then use an obsolete
  mode to do it?  Sure, there are a few phone-only expeditions, but there
  are also CW-only ones.  G3SXW spend 3 weeks on Tristan da Cunha and maded
  23,000+ QSOs on CW and about 3 on phone.  You think he did this just for
  sentimental reasons?

  Now I would say that AM is an obsolete mode, it has a few adherents but
  it is spectrally inefficient and if all the people who use CW did so for
  purely sentimental reasons you ought to find that a lot of those use CW
  use AM in preference to SSB.  They don't.  There are no major contests
  where anyone uses AM, there are no expeditions that use AM.

  By your own admission, you have made about 50 CW QSOs in your life, yet
  you want us to take your word for it that it is an obsolete mode.  Did
  someone tell you this or did you conclude this by yourself after 50 CW
  QSOs at 5 wpm?   I would agree that 5 wpm CW is quasi-obsolete, and I
  would rarely use it if I were limited to that speed.  5 wpm is an entry
  level speed only.  Even 20 wpm is slow for contests and serious DXing.
  There is nothing obsolete about CW, but it takes some time and effort
  to get to the speed where you can use it efficiently.


Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX)
Department of Astronomy, University of Texas,
Austin TX 78712.  (512-471-1392)
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1993 20:58:10 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com![e-mail]
Subject: cw waivers
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] (Derek Wills) wrote:
>[e-mail] claims:
>>Anyone with a learning disorder and a doctor can get a code waiver by
>>just making an appointment.  I know a few people who have gotten one
>>by simply picking up the phone and telling their doctor they need it!
>
>  I believe the original posting was another complaint about the
>  5 wpm code requirement, and unless the rules have changed very
>  recently you cannot get a medical waiver for that, only for the
>  13 and 20 wpm tests.

And the FCC is supposedly getting more stringent about the 13/20 waiver as
well.

>>I recognize it as a nearly obsolete mode that is primarily still alive
>>for sentimental reasons.
>
>  This is pure baloney.  CW has never been obsolete.  You may not like
>  contesting, but for every phone contest there is a CW contest.

Perhaps he meant "obsolete outside ham radio".  It's not likely that you
will find a use for Morse code that's (a) not just a licensing requirement,
like the code requirement for some commercial licenses, or (b) incapable
of being replaced by a newer mode which is easier, faster, or both.

>  The
>  best contesters are not interested in using obsolete modes, so why
>  do these contests still exist and generate so much activity?

Isn't this a circular argument?  Couldn't you just as well say that Morse
is obsolete and the best contesters use Morse, and therefore the best
contesters use obsolete modes?  And isn't your definition of "best"
presupposing the use of Morse?

--

----------------------------------------------------
Jack Hamilton            POB 281107 SF CA 94128  USA
[e-mail]           kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 25 Dec 1993 23:01:30 MST
From: destroyer!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!adec23!ve6mgs![e-mail]
Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 25 December
To: [e-mail]

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                 DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY

                                25 DECEMBER, 1993

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                  (Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data)


SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 25 DECEMBER, 1993
------------------------------------------------------------

!!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 359, 12/25/93
10.7 FLUX=119.1  90-AVG=099        SSN=120      BKI=1322 2111  BAI=006
BGND-XRAY=B5.9     FLU1=9.5E+05  FLU10=1.1E+04  PKI=1313 2122  PAI=007
  BOU-DEV=006,027,010,012,015,007,009,006   DEV-AVG=011 NT     SWF=01:004
 XRAY-MAX= M1.5   @ 1756UT    XRAY-MIN= B3.9   @ 2359UT   XRAY-AVG= C1.3
NEUTN-MAX= +002%  @ 0740UT   NEUTN-MIN= -002%  @ 0455UT  NEUTN-AVG= +0.2%
  PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 2215UT     PCA-MIN= -0.3DB @ 0850UT    PCA-AVG= +0.0DB
BOUTF-MAX=55358NT @ 0006UT   BOUTF-MIN=55335NT @ 2047UT  BOUTF-AVG=55349NT
GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT   GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT  G7-AVG=+066,+000,+000
GOES6-MAX=P:+119NT@ 1816UT   GOES6-MIN=N:-055NT@ 0921UT  G6-AVG=+090,+022,-028
 FLUXFCST=STD:124,130,135;SESC:124,130,135 BAI/PAI-FCST=005,010,005/007,010,015
    KFCST=1123 3211 1223 3322  27DAY-AP=004,008   27DAY-KP=1101 2211 4222 2222
 WARNINGS=*SWF;*MAJFLR
   ALERTS=**MINFLR:M1.5/2N@1756,N07E06(7640)
!!END-DATA!!

NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 24 DEC 93 was  52.3.
      The Full Kp Indices for 24 DEC 93 are: 2o 1o 2+ 3-   3- 3- 2- 2-


SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY
--------------------

             Solar activity was moderate the past 24 hours. Region
       7640 (N09E08) produced an M1/SN flare at 1756Z as well as
       numerous C-class flares during this period.  The region
       continues to grow in white light while exhibiting increasing
       inversion line complexity.  All other regions are stable.

            Solar activity forecast:  solar activity is expected to be
       moderate.  With Rgn 7640 now showing a possible delta config-
       uration in the main leader group, M-class flaring potential
       remains high.

       STD: An additional full-disk Yohkoh x-ray image has been
       appended to this report, showing the large size and brightness
       of the x-ray loop structures composing Region 7640.  This
       recent image casts doubt on the existence of an eastern
       hemisphere coronal hole.  More will be known over the next
       several days as the suspected area rotates into a better
       position for analysis.  Region 7640 is capable of spawning a
       major flare and bears watching closely.

            The geomagnetic field has been at mostly quiet levels in
       the mid latitudes with some active periods experienced at
       higher latitudes.

            Geophysical activity forecast:  the geomagnetic field is
       expected to be at mostly quiet levels for the next 24 hrs.

            Event probabilities 26 dec-28 dec

                             Class M    65/70/70
                             Class X    10/10/10
                             Proton     05/05/05
                             PCAF       Green

            Geomagnetic activity probabilities 26 dec-28 dec

                        A.  Middle Latitudes
                        Active                10/15/15
                        Minor Storm           05/05/10
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/01

                        B.  High Latitudes
                        Active                10/15/25
                        Minor Storm           05/10/15
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/05

            HF propagation conditions were near-normal over the low
       and middle latitude paths, and slightly below normal to
       near-normal for night-sector high and polar latitude paths.
       Conditions over the high latitudes are beginning to improve due
       to elevated solar flux levels from Region 7640.  The potential
       for stronger or more frequent SWF activity is increasing as
       this solar region shows greater overall complexity.


COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS
========================================================

REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 25/2400Z DECEMBER
-----------------------------------------------------------
NMBR LOCATION  LO  AREA  Z   LL   NN MAG TYPE
7640  N09E08  198  0650 FKI  22  085 BETA-GAMMA
7641  N04E06  200  0080 HSX  03  004 ALPHA
7642  N11W34  240  0000 AXX  00  001 ALPHA
7643  S17E54  152  0000 AXX  00  001 ALPHA
7635  N02W70  276                    PLAGE
REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 26 DECEMBER TO 28 DECEMBER
NMBR LAT    LO
7633 S18   090
7630 S10   087
7629 S20   083


LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 25 DECEMBER, 1993
-------------------------------------------------------
A.  ENERGETIC EVENTS:
BEGIN  MAX  END  RGN   LOC   XRAY  OP 245MHZ 10CM   SWEEP
 1229 1233 1236              C2.3        130
 1741 1756 1800 7640  N07E06 M1.5  SN
 1822 1823 1823                          130
 2021 2025 2030              C1.0        170



POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 25 DECEMBER, 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------
 BEGIN        MAX      END     LOCATION   TYPE   SIZE  DUR  II IV
24/A2327          25/B1457       N11W40   DSF


INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 25/2400Z
---------------------------------------------------
               ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS
      EAST   SOUTH  WEST   NORTH  CAR  TYPE  POL  AREA   OBSN
                 NO DATA AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS


SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------

 Date   Begin  Max   End  Xray  Op Region  Locn    2695 MHz  8800 MHz  15.4 GHz
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------  --------- --------- ---------
24 Dec: 0324  0327  0329  B6.0
        0333  0339  0345  B7.4  SF  7640  N07E27
        0854  0859  0911  C2.7  SN  7640  N07E22
        0923  0926  0928  C1.7
        0946  0959  1001  C3.8  SN  7640  N07E20
       B1151  1157  1215        SB  7640  N07E24
        1208  1216  1221  C5.1  SF  7640  N08E22
        1318  1319 A1328        SF  7635  N04W49
        1322  1324 A1329        SF  7640  N08E26
        1333  1341  1348  C2.5  SF  7640  N07E20
        1411  1415  1425  C1.4
        1631  1635  1640  C1.0
        1725  1731  1735  C3.9  SN  7640  N06E17
        1905  1910  1913  B8.9
        2102  2109  2112  C1.8  SF  7640  N07E16
        2115  2120  2122  C2.1  SF  7640  N06E15
        2246  2249  2252  B6.7
        2259  2303  2312  B7.1
        2353  2357  0000  B9.1  SF  7640  N07E15


REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------

                C   M   X     S   1   2   3   4   Total   (%)
               --  --  --    --  --  --  --  --    ---  ------
  Region 7635:  0   0   0     1   0   0   0   0    001  ( 4.8)
  Region 7640:  7   2   0    11   2   0   0   0    013  (61.9)
Uncorrellated: 3   0   0     0   0   0   0   0    007  (33.3)

 Total Events: 021 optical and x-ray.


EVENTS WITH SWEEPS AND/OR OPTICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE LAST UTC DAY
----------------------------------------------------------------

 Date   Begin  Max   End  Xray  Op Region  Locn    Sweeps/Optical Observations
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------   ---------------------------
24 Dec: 0946  0959  1001  C3.8  SN  7640  N07E20   Continuum
       B1151  1157  1215        SB  7640  N07E24   Continuum
        1208  1216  1221  C5.1  SF  7640  N08E22   III

NOTES:
     All times are in Universal Time (UT).  Characters preceding begin, max,
     and end times are defined as:  B = Before,  U = Uncertain,  A = After.
     All times associated with x-ray flares (ex. flares which produce
     associated x-ray bursts) refer to the begin, max, and end times of the
     x-rays.  Flares which are not associated with x-ray signatures use the
     optical observations to determine the begin, max, and end times.

     Acronyms used to identify sweeps and optical phenomena include:

          II        = Type II Sweep Frequency Event
          III       = Type III Sweep
          IV        = Type IV Sweep
          V         = Type V Sweep
          Continuum = Continuum Radio Event
          Loop      = Loop Prominence System,
          Spray     = Limb Spray,
          Surge     = Bright Limb Surge,
          EPL       = Eruptive Prominence on the Limb.


SPECIAL INSERT: CURRENT X-RAY EMISSIONS FROM THE JAPANESE YOHKOH SPACECRAFT
===========================================================================

                     25 December 1993, 04:40 UTC

                                    North
                  .............,,,,::,::::::::::,,,,,,,,.,........
              ............,,.,,:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::,,,,,......
         ........,,,,,,,,.,,,,,::,::,,,::::,,,,,,,,::::::::::::,,,,....
     .  ....,,,,,::,..,,,,,,,,,::,::::,::::,,:::::,,::::::::::::::,,,...
     ....,,,,::::,,,...,,,,,,,,:;:::,:::::::::::::::::::::::::::;:::,,,........
   .....,,,::::,,,,,,,,,,,:::::;;::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::;;::::,,,.....
  ...,,,:::::,,:::,::,,,:::::;;;;;:::;;;;;;;;::::::::::::::::::::::;;;;::,,..,.
  ..,,,::;;::,,,:::::::;;;;;------;;;;;;;;---;;;;;;;;;;;::::::::::::;--;::,,,,,
 ..,,:::;;:::,,,::::::;-+---+++++++--+-;;---++--;;;;;;;;;::::::::::::;-;;:::,,,
..,,:::;;;;::::,,::::;++||!!!11!!||++|||+;----++++-----;;;:::::::::::::;;;:::::
.,,::;;;;;::::::,:::;;|1!134434432!|!!||!|-;;----++------;;;;;::::::::::;;;::::
.,:::;;;;;;;;:::::::;;+12*@###@@*32111!!!|+;;-------||----;;;;;;:;;;;;;:;;;;:::
,,::;--;----;::::::;;-||!33*@#@@@@2!!!!!!|+;;;--------;;;;;::;;;;;;-+--;;-;:::,
,::;--+;----;;::::;;-|111334444#31!|||||++-;;;;;;;;;;::::::;;;;;--+!31+;;;;:::,
,:;;-++------;:::::;;-+||!11!!121!|+++||+-;;;;:::::::::::::;;;;::;-!!|+;:;;:::,
:;;;----+||+-;;:::::;;;-+||||!1!++++----;;:::::,,,,:::,::::::::,:;;-+|-;,;:::,,
,:;;--+++|||+-;;-::;;;;;-----++--;;;;;;;;::::::,:::::,,,,,,,,,,,,:;;::,,,;::,,,
::;;--||!!|+++11;;;+---||+---;;;;;::::::::::::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,:;::,,,
:;;---+!11!+++|!-;--;;-+|+;;;;;;;::::::::::::::::,,,,,,.....,,,,.,,,,,:;;:,,,..
:;;--+|!!!|+--;;;;;;::;;;::;;;;;:::::,,,,,,::::::,:,,,,,,..,....,....,,::,,....
:;;--++|||--;;;:::::::::::;;;;::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,::,,.....
::;;--++|||-;:::;;::::::::::::::::,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,.,::,,......
:::;;---++||-;;;:::::::::::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,......,,,,,,,,,,,.,,..,:::,,... ...
,::::;;----++-;:::::::::::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,.,,,,,,.........,,,,:::,,...
,,,:::::;;-----;::::,:::::,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,....,.....,.,,.,,,,:,,,,...
.,,,,,:::::;;;;;;;::::::::,:,:,,,,,,:,,,,,,,,,.........,,..,,,,,,,....
...,,,,,,,:::::;;;;--;;;::::,,,,,,,,,..........  .  ............
.....,.,,,,,:::;;;;;----;;::,,... ...
.........,,,,:::;;;;;;;;;::::,,.            .
  ..........,,,,,:::,,,,,,,,...
     . ................. .

                                    South

KEY: East and west limbs are to the left and right respectively. Emission
     strength, from minimum to maximum are coded in the following way:

     [space] . , : ; - + | ! 1 2 3 4 * # @

     Units used are arbitrary, for illustrative purposes.  Get "showasc.zip"
     from "pub/solar/Software" at the anonymous FTP site: ftp.uleth.ca
     (IP # 142.66.3.29) to view these images on VGA screens.


**  End of Daily Report  **

------------------------------

Date: 26 Dec 93 19:19:54 GMT
From: walter!dancer.cc.bellcore.com![e-mail]
Subject: Good Stores/Mail Order/Emergency Use in Car - very long/rambling
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,
david.k.kallman <[e-mail]> wrote:
>Basically, I'm totally sold on going with amateur radio for
>my needs (this is a highly personal decision - I must, must
>be very clear about this).  The support and detailed
>answers from the dedicated people out there, the FAQ
>files on the ARRL server, the knowledge that the whole
>world is behind you in a very supportive way, some of the
>unique applications available on amateur radio, plus being
>a tinkerer by nature make amateur radio a win for me.
>
>Her brother was big into amateur radio, while they
>were kids together, and my wife had a license herself many
>years ago.  I guess this is just old hat to her, but I'll
>find that application that will get her involved too.

>Note I'm speaking strictly for myself here, and don't
>represent the views of my employeer.

I note from your sig file that you work for AT&T.  Most
AT&T locations also have an active Ham club and sometimes
a permanent club station in the building.  There's a very
active club in the Whippany AT&T location.

>So now it's time to hit the books!   My biggest challenge
>over the next month is going to keep my 12 year old away
>from the ham radio books.  He's a bigger electronic junkie
>than I am, but he has a big school project over the next
>month that he has to stay really focused on.

Why note study together, say 1/2 hour a day as a break from
that school project...all three of you...your son, your
wife and you.  Then you can all go take the test as a family
event.  Many, many 12 year olds have passed the Novice AND
Technician tests.  If your son is into science, computers, etc.
he'll be able to study and understand the theory and regulations
without any real problems.

Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!cc!whs70
201-829-2879 Weekdays      email via Internet  [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 22:52:10 GMT
From: usc.edu!wupost!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: Help on USA Ham-prefix !
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (J.FONTE) writes:
> Hello , tanks for reading ... Is there anyone who could explain me how
>do american ham see the difference on Callsigns ???
>
> For exemp.: In Spain the prefixs are given by zone
>
>   EA1...-North West Spain
>   EA8...-Canary Isl.
>   EA9...-Ceuta & Mellila
>   ++++++ more ...
>
> QUESTION: what's the difference between prefix N0... or WA2..
>
>    what does the N or W or K mean ????

Well the US callsign zones work similarly to yours. There are 10
geographic zones 0 through 9. These zones aren't all the same size.
For example the 8 zone is the state of Ohio while the 4 zone is all
of the southeastern United States. Zones 1, 2, and 3, are in the
northeastern US, zone 5 is in the southwestern US, zone 6 is California,
zone 7 is the Pacific northwest, zone 9 Indiana and Illinois, and zone 0
is the central plains states. Hawaii is KH6 and Alaska is KL7.

Now the N, K, and W are prefixes assigned to the US, like EA is assigned
to Spain. We also have part of the A prefix block. In the beginning the
FCC assigned W calls, so a W4QO call would be a real oldtimer (That's an
inside joke, the FCC for a brief time allowed hams to pick their own calls
from the expired list and Jim got a good one). When they ran out of 1x2 W
calls, they went to 1x3 W calls, and when they ran out of those, they went
to 1x2 then 1x3 K calls such as K4NNN (Chuck's a friend who gave me my
Novice exam many years ago). Finally, when they ran out of the K calls
they went to 2x3 calls starting with WA, for example I used to hold WA4VJZ
when I was a General. There was a special WN call prefix for Novices,
for example my Novice call was WN4OAA.

That was all before 1968. After 1968's Incentive Licensing debacle,
things got weird. Extras got 2x1 calls, Advanced got 2x2 calls,
Generals, Techs, and Novices got 2x3 calls, and N and A call blocks
started being used. Now in many call zones we've run out of 2x1 calls
so Extras get 2x2 calls, and 2x2 is running out in some places, etc.
Plus, the FCC said we could keep our old calls when we moved to
another zone or changed license class. Originally if I moved from one
call zone to another I had to get a new call in my license class with
that zone number, but not anymore. So now someone with a 2 call could
live in the 4 zone, or someone with a 4 call could live in the 7 zone.
It's all very confusing.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          | I kill you,             | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems | You kill me,            | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             | We're the Manson Family | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |         -sorry Barney   |

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1993 14:10:52 GMT
From: usc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!darwin.sura.net!hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!murdoch!faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU![e-mail]
Subject: QSL Route for XF4CI ???
To: [e-mail]

QSL route for XF4CI is XE1CI.

------------------------------

Date: 26 Dec 1993 23:34:46 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: was waivers
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] (Jack Hamilton) says:

    [I said]
>>  This is pure baloney.  CW has never been obsolete.  You may not like
>>  contesting, but for every phone contest there is a CW contest.

>Perhaps he meant "obsolete outside ham radio".  It's not likely that you
>will find a use for Morse code that's (a) not just a licensing requirement,
>like the code requirement for some commercial licenses, or (b) incapable
>of being replaced by a newer mode which is easier, faster, or both.

    When there is a newer, faster, easier mode I expect to use it,
    so long as it's a mode that I can use to communicate with the
    majority of hams worldwide - I'm not aware of one at the moment.


>>  The  best contesters are not interested in using obsolete modes,
>>  so why do these contests still exist and generate so much activity?

>Isn't this a circular argument?  Couldn't you just as well say that Morse
>is obsolete and the best contesters use Morse, and therefore the best
>contesters use obsolete modes?  And isn't your definition of "best"
>presupposing the use of Morse?

No, not really.  On the contest reflector where those interested in
contests gather, we don't have any of this "CW is good vs obsolete"
discussion.  The best contesters win phone or CW contests, whichever
they choose to enter, and usually it's the very same people.  Most
contesters would like to see more contests during the year (I realize
that non-contesters disagree...) but I have never heard anyone ask
seriously for an AM contest, or for a DXpedition to go on the air
using AM.   Same with spark, I guess - and older hams can get quite
sentimental about that.

I have no problem with someone giving CW a serious try and then
deciding that they don't like it (others do the same with RTTY
or phone), but it annoys me (really, 'saddens' is the word) when
someone who has not given it a fair try says "of course, we know
that morse is obsolete and only used for sentimental reasons".
We don't "know" that at all.  I'm not sure what is supposed to
have happened in the last quarter-century that has made CW so
"old-fashioned" in some people's minds - i.e. since SSB took
over from AM.   There are some interesting modes and techniques
out there, but for the vast majority of active hams, they are
not yet in common use.  I'll give them a fair trial when they
are.


Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX)
Department of Astronomy, University of Texas,
Austin TX 78712.  (512-471-1392)
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 26 Dec 1993 23:53:41 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com![e-mail]
Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Gary Coffman) writes:
> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mark Curran) writes:
> >How about the opposite side of this argument. I.E. why should one need
> >to know EE theory to upgrade from general to advanced and advanced to
> >extra?  While homebrewing is a vibrant part of the service, in these
> >days of mass marketed radios, it is not essential.  How about rewarding
> >operating practice and amature service as an alternative method of
> >upgrade.  (Impracticality arguments welcome).
>
> Well the amateur service requires that operators know enough regulations
> and radio theory to adjust their transmitters so that they operate legally.
> Amateurs are unique in being given blanket authority to make internal
> adjustments to their transmitters. The FCC wants assurance that they
> have an inkling of what they are doing. Thus the written exams on theory
> and regulations. In point of fact, there's no reason whatsoever for
> the Advanced or Extra class to exist. They serve no useful purpose since
> Generals and Techs need the same knowledge.

That's not quite true: as someone else has pointed out, three of the five
reasons given in the regulations
for the amateur service to exist involve technical expertise. In
addition, amateur radio has from time to time advanced the state of the
art in communications technology. It is certainly worthwhile to reward
technical knowledge, even if the reward is only a few kHz of spectrum.
I'll abstain on the question of whether 20wpm code speed is worth
any reward, at least until I pass the test :-).

The Advanced and Extra tests do include questions on some modes that aren't
covered by the Tech/General tests. Hopefully, this means that Advanced and
Extra class amateurs will actually understand the equipment they're using.
It also provides more people to help the less technically-inclined
amateurs, so they don't all have to rely on Gary :-).

-- Bruce Toback
KN6MN

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End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1511
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