"Carl R. Stevenson" wrote


Most of the avid CW ragchewers/contesters I've known over the years
(remember, I'm a long-time ham) have been more interested in the operating
activity (ragchewing, contesting, paper-chasing) than the technical side.
My experience has been that they have been less technically inclined than
a lot of the no-code techs I've met, less inclined to participate in public
service/emergency communications, and more inclined to just being "users"
rather than tinkerers ...


I thought the thread was about Pro Code Test folks, not Pro Code User
folks. Your "official position" is that you have nothing against
Morse use, only Morse testing, yet your diatribes invariably bring
into question the technical competence of CW contesters and DXers.
How about Phone contesters and DXers --- are they more technically
competent than CW contesters and DXers? If not, then your argument is
exposed as based on your own biases, not on the facts.

I don't support the continuance of Morse testing, but I damned sure
intend to continue to support USE of Morse.

All of that aside, your premise that contesters and DXers are below
average in technical inclination doesn't align very well with reality.
Perhaps you belong to the wrong clubs. Contesters and DXers are
historically at the forefront of pushing improved technology,
especially in receiver design, antenna design, and integrating
computerized technology into their station design. The only remaining
viable manufacturer of HF radios in the US is TenTec, a company
founded and run by avid DXers/contesters, and catering to their needs.
"Force 12", the current leader in HF antenna technology is owned by
avid contesters. DigiKey, the electronics distributor was founded by
fellow members of the University of Minnesota Contest Club, mostly
electrical engineering students. (They got into business designing
and selling electronic keyers, hence the name.) Ron Stordahl, N5IN,
was one of the founders and still heads the company which is a major
employer in the city where it is based. All this from an avid CW
contester and electronics engineer.

By the way, my company just completed successful field trials of SDR
(Software Defined Radio) technology. (See
http://www.adc.com/investorrelations...LEASEID=119340
) Many of the leading people involved in the project are hams who are
also (choke) CW (and Phone) contesters.

73, de Hans, K0HB
--
http://www.adc.com
http://home.earthlink.net/~k0hb