MURS Experience

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Oct 7, 2010 | 07:02 AM

#11

AK4Dave

JK Jedi

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 5,813

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From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelb

I really haven't seen much of this happening but I live in an area where the old-timers are willing to help ("elmer") new folks into the hobby and introduce them to different amateur radio technologies. Us new folks (I've only been in amateur radio since 2007) are in turn introducing them to new technologies as well, like digital comms using D-STAR. It's a great "give-and-take" education process.

I have heard of old-timers who complain about new people not using Morse code ("CW") but I believe it's rare and probably contained to those who only use CW as their comm method. It's important to realize that CW is an awesome communication method. When nothing else can get through, CW most likely will be able to. Also, a good CW keyer can pound out 30+ words per minute so I have a great respect for those guys.

Regardless, if you experience someone complaining that you don't know CW, just ignore them and turn to the next ham operator who's just glad you're interested in what's going on and is more than willing to help you out. The new age of amateur radio is here and if someone doesn't want to participate in it, well, screw them.

Joel W4JOL

I'm one of those old timers, and even tho I don't do code I respect it very much as I had to learn it too. I wasn't talking about "in an area" so much as on the air, where newbes get made fun of or shut down when they try and break into a qso and they might not be using the right "lingo" or something. Many of the old timers think that loosing the code was the start of the "dumbing down" of the hobbie. And that it's an insult to them now that anybody can get their thicket, where they had to work pretty damn hard to get theirs. I can understand where they're coming from but it's time to move on....

Oct 8, 2010 | 09:44 PM

#12

pseacraft

JK Newbie

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 26

Likes: 0

From: Abu Dhabi

I only wish they dropped code sooner!

I have nothing but Respect for a good fist and as retired Navy Spook I can re-enforce that Respect. I tried to learn Code several times starting in 1984 but I have a hard time discerning the difference, I'll blame the job for that and my laziness too.

I didn't get my ticket until 2000 when I happily became the MARS Officer for my base. All of my elmers had excellent fists and never complained about my lack of skill, they only encouraged me to keep trying no mater how frustrated I was. Then I moved back overseas and code goes away. Dang.

For me the worst thing to happen to Amateur Radio was when Heath Kit went way. I learned my trade on Heath Kit. I hate tubes and I love tubes. Heath Kit was a great thing.