From: on Aug 30, 3:15 pm

All,

I am a somewhat younger person (43 yrs) and I still see a use for CW.

1) Since it has the narrowest bandwidth of any mode, you can squeeze
it in between massive amounts of QRM on the 40 meter band and still
manage to get heard.

2) Again, since it has the narrowest bandwidth of any mode, you can
get more kilometers per watt out of the signal... basically you get
reach the furtherest across the world with it.

ONLY if the ionosphere is "kind" to you and you stay BELOW
VHF. Get below MF and them lil QRP things will go dead.

3) It is the only digital mode that does not require computer
machinery to interpret.

The "digital" label is incorrect. Since OOK CW morse has
only two states, carrier-on or carrier-off, it is BINARY.

The Morse-Vail "code" is so simple in technology that it can
be done with wires and a battery, NO radio required.

Why are you doing the ex deus machina thing? What are you
using to get your posting out to the rest of the Internet?


4) It the mode that requiring the simplest of equipment to implement.
Worst case, one could use crystal oscillator and a crystal receiver to
make a contact one state away. Try that with SSB or packet!

In 1844 the Morse-Vail Telegraph successfully demonstrated
wired communications between Baltimore, MD, and Washington,
DC. WITHOUT any radio whatsoever! That should "qualify" as
"contact one state away."

If "contacting another state" is so important, I need only
drive a day or two to another state...where I can stand in
that state and TALK to three other states! No radio of any
kind needed! :-)


To me, CW is to communication as a lightsaber is to combat: both are
archaic, elegant, and extremely effective ways of getting your point
made. There might not be Jedi in this galaxy, but in my mind CW
operation is the next best thing.

Obi-wannabe, a "lightsaber" is a FICTIONAL thing out of the
imaginary world of George Lucas' creativity. It does NOT
exist. Neither do "Jedi Knights." Such is FICTION.

Don't tell me you are going to drag out the 1996 movie
"Independence Day" as a "documentary?!?" :-)