Kurt, AE6UJ wrote: I'm a pretty new operator (a few months), and I was really put off this weekend by the sweepstakes. "Noise" from one side of the band to the other...not a ragchew to be found. I'm very glad it doesn't happen that often...or I probably would have found a different hobby...really.
------------------------------------------------------ That's what the so-called "WARC" bands (30, 17 and 12 meters) are for! To me, keeping contests off of those bands was one of the best decisions ever made. I have nothing against contesting or contesters, but it's really nice to have a 'safe haven' for a little casual operating - especially now that there are so many contests on the calendar. Back in the 60's I got a smile when I started to seeing contesting called "radiosporting" - mostly in Russian and European magazines. Shoot, up until then I thought my staying up all night at the key to help the club roll up our Field Day score was simply insanity. It's certainly a popular activity. Some operators are those who use them to help build ever more automatic exchange systems. That's an interesting technical challenge all its own, although many contesters think it's cheating. But then, I can recall when I got my 35 wpm CW proficiency ticket the only "high tech" means of copying the text in real time was on a mill (typewriter). Now, of course, you can get solid copy at almost any speed with the right software. Times change, but certain values don't. There are still those for whom operating is a good rag chew, a bit of casual DX-ing or checking into a net. Next time you get wall-to-wall bedlam on the bands, come visit on 30 meters. That's where I'm hanging out. There's no rules against nets like the ECN meeting on 30 meters either. Ron AC7AC _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
