The New Millennium {only partly OT}

[Edward A. Dauer]

Same ambivalence here.  As to the sequential s/n capability in the K3
keyer which I asked about, one answer posted here noted that every logging
program can do that.  But that assumes the operator uses computer rig
control.  I don¹t, for much the same reasons as those confessed below.
Typing a CW transmission (and, Heaven forfend, electronic decoding) seems
like sullying a sacred text.  And as to the DX spotting systems, my thanks
to all those who suggested their favorites - I tried one of them
yesterday, added three new band-entities in less than an hour, and felt
like I was shooting fish in a barrel.  (No, I don¹t have a KW and a Yagi -
it¹s a K3-KPA500 and an inverted fan vee hanging from a Ponderosa Pine -
so there is still good sport in it.)  On the other hand, I do love
electronic keying, wish the K3 had sequential s/n, and have no interest in
going back to a bug or a J-38.    Note the call: I went from KN1CBR to
K1CBR when I became a general in 1958, and took KN1CBR back many years
after getting the Extra ‹ in a triumph of nostalgia over common sense.  I
guess we each choose what parts of which century to be hamming in.

Ted, KN1CBR

>Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2014 13:17:14 -0000
>From: "G4GNX" <[hidden email]>
>To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ultimate System
>Message-ID: <5FCA608A72BE47C4B2FA555823D8EDE9@Paramount>
>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
> reply-type=response
>
>Stan.
>
>I felt the same way, having returned to Ham Radio after 20 years away
>(shame
>on me!!!).
>
>I still feel the same way in some circumstances and I still hand write my
>QSOs and transfer to a computer log later. One reason for this is that I
>don't believe in using one media to prop-up another. i.e. The Internet to
>prop-up Ham Radio. Ham Radio is quite capable of standing on its own two
>feet, but it takes some work on our part. This seems to be part of the
>problem - the World is getting lazy. However, as in all things, progress
>must be made and I truly welcome such enhancements as DSP, high quality
>filters, transistors replacing tubes and my one major indulgence - an
>auto-tuner (apart from the one in my K3).
>
>I suppose that if all of this extra 'stuff' had been available in the
>very
>early days, we would all have accepted it as part of the scene and looked
>for new challenges to occupy our time.
>
>One of my immediate issues is that my shack is at present and old kitchen
>cabinet in a corner of my workshop and there's no room for computers and
>no
>hard-wired broadband. It's also getting too cold to be out there for
>long,
>so I'm moving everything indoors, but I have to finish building the
>purpose-built room first. Perhaps I will accept some of the "must have"
>add-ons more readily when there's space to lay them out where they're
>comfortable to use.
>
>One further issues is with keyers. Back in the days when I was very
>active,
>I built my own iambic paddle and keying circuitry. Having practised with
>that and used it for many years, I guess that the muscle memory is still
>with me, and I'm finding it quite difficult to reliably use a more
>up-to-date keyer in mode A. ( never liked mode B and dot stores anyway).
>It's probably purely a timing issue that I have to re-learn. My old keyer
>made the decision which dot or dash to send next right at the point that
>the
>previous character had finished sending and only if one or more paddles
>was
>still being held. There doesn't seem to be a modern equivalent. Mode A is
>the nearest, but seems to make the decision what to send next (or not at
>all) before the last character has finished sounding. My issue is in
>letting
>go one or more paddles at the correct time, which is in milliseconds, so
>that extra unwanted dits or dahs aren't sent. I really don't want to go
>back
>to a straight key, but it would seem that progress in this case is a
>hindrance. :-(
>
>73,
>
>Alan. G4GNX
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: stan levandowski
>Sent: Monday, December 08, 2014 2:43 AM
>To: Orville
>Cc: Elecraft
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ultimate System
>
>In January 2014 I took a look at my station - all that equipment, all
>those keys, all those cables -- lots of physical "stuff" between me and
>the ham radio I used to enjoy and almost as much software. All I really
>needed was my KX3, a wire antenna, pencil and paper and a bug or Cootie.
>
>
>So I put my CW Machine in a freezer bag and stuck it up on a shelf.  I
>bought an ARRL paper log book and a fancy-schmantzy .5 mm lead pencil.
>I divorced myself from LoTW and eQSL and noted "QSL via Mail Only" on
>QRZ. Then I downloaded my HRD log and scratched HRD from my computer.
>Finally I moved the computer out of the shack.  I was "Looking for an
>Echo" of my youth in the 60s; a simpler time.  I was going to hand log
>all my contacts, exchange "real" QSL cards, only use my bug and 'swiper
>and turn my back on all the technology and interfaces that I held
>responsible for my discontent.
>
>
>Well, that lasted nine months.  It was the biggest mistake I've ever
>made in ham radio.
>
>
>Thankfully, the CW Machine's non-volatile memory still contained my old
>log records and ARRL's LoTW Help Desk helped me get back into the fold.
>The computer is back in the shack and I'm now reconnected with the
>technology aids that really do add so much value and facility.
>
>
>The only "good" that came from this experience was the ultimate
>realization that it's not 1960 and I can't go home anymore.  I'm stuck
>in the 21st Century whether I like it or not.
>
>
>73,
>Stan WB2LQF
>

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