wrote in message
oups.com...
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.

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

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!

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.

The Eternal Squire



CW is not the narrowest bandwidth mode; currently, psk-31 is. With
something like a 32 Hz bandwidth, cw pales in comparison with its' 100 to
200 Hz bandwidth.

That said, it is easy to grab a key (or keyer) and have an intelligent
conversation (yes, the cw gang can and does rag-chew) with simple equipment.
It should be noted that PSK takes its' cue from CW in that it is a
variable-length encoded mode. Like CW, the most common characters are the
shortest (and CW is worthless? Folks learned and built upon the earlier
mode).

PSK-31 can send/receiver far faster than the best cw operator can
send/receive. However, there are some folks that argue that keyboards are
obsolete. I suspect they simply want no tests LOL.

CW can be a most effective way of communicating your message. One guy on a
local repeater was screaming "cw forever". Fortunately, the repeater owner
was in the group so ..... int f2? And .... 40 words per minute mcw was sent
over the repeater. The owner had no problem. I had no problem. Yes, I can
stir the pot a bit LOL

The guy pushing for cw only? My point was made ))


73 from Rochester, NY
Jim AA2QA