"Hans K0HB" wrote in message
om...
"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.

Hans ... read Mike's post ... *he* raised the issue of Morse USERS vs.
those who don't use Morse ... I merely related my personal experience
in that stated context.

Your "official position" is that you have nothing against
Morse use, only Morse testing,

I don't ... but I also don't agree with the claim that Morse users
are more technically astute than non-Morse users. That was what
I was addressing and it was responsive to the question/context.

yet your diatribes invariably bring

I don't think my relating my personal experience was a "diatribe."
Give it a rest Hans.

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.

No, my comment was not based on bias ... I clearly stated it was based
on my personal experience and "YMMV."

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

Then we are in the same camp ...

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.

I didn't say *all* CW enthusiasts, contesters, and paper chasers were
non-technical ... I just related my own personal experience ... which
varies from yours. (sheesh ...)


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.

And one of the founders of the company, who is a friend and colleague of
mine
now, is a no-code tech (I persuaded him to get into ham radio. He has NO
interest in Morse, but is a hell of a digital modes engineer.)

Carl - wk3c