Slow Code wrote:

Big Ten-Four on that Good Buddy.
It sounds like you run a lot of 11m, not surprising considering how much
you whine, and it's not alternator whine.


I only typed like because I knew you would understand that style of
communicating. So, after your license came in the mail what I appliance
did you decide to buy? MFJ? Alinco? Cobra?


While you are being all holier than thou, what did you design and build for your
main rig? I'm hoping to be impressed, but expecting to be disappointed.

Did the code help you with the design?

I took my Advanced class test down at 1919 M street 36 years ago. I had to
sit at the desk and copy one solid minute out of five error free at 13WPM.
I passed it on the first try. I almost failed the sending test, as I had never
spent much time doing that. I had never made a code contact before my test,
and I have only made a couple since.

The thing about code contacts is they never seem to want to say anything beyond:

WA3XXX DE W6XX RST 5NN WX FB 73 W6XX SK

How does that help the cause of amateur radio?

I have designed and built numerous rf receivers and transmitters, many are
employed by the US Army for various uses. I have fixed many different radios
from tube stuff through DSP driven affairs.

How exactly did the code help me to do this?

For me code was a means to an end. I wanted my license, so I learned the code.

There were plenty of rude, profane, and generally unpleasant hams on the air
back when all had to pass the test in the offices of the FCC. I haven't noticed
that things are any worse now. About the only real difference is in the quality
of the gear folks are running. It is much better than the crappy stuff that
was on the air back in the early 70's.

-Chuck