Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]>

BUddy wrote:
   >I'm so glad you've decided to rethink leaving ham radio. I'm always
   >sad when people decide to do that, even when I notice someone's
   >license has expired and it hasn't been renewed. Yeah...radio's the
   >medium, but it's not just a medium...it's magic...and I think the
   >magic gets lost in all the tech, y'know? So, yeah, welcome back, and
WEll said.  I recall somebody doing some kind of survey on
this list awhile back, I think I've got it archived
somewhere around here since it was after the big storm.  the
questions this survey asked wer along the lines of if I'd
get the same enjoyment and personal satisfaction using other
forms of communication.

the short answer is no.  THere wasn't an internet connection
to be had at the hospital for a week.  Being able to assist
the mariner at sea or the missionary in the hinterlands is
rewarding.  tO have the capability to phone patch a doctor
in the  bush with a specialist here in the modern world so
as ti consult on saving a child's life is quite rewarding.

YEs the doctor could possibly do this with one of those sat
phones, if he had the money for a satphone, if his position
was such that he had a good view of the satellite.  IF the
network asn't tied up with businessmen making deals.

WOrking all 50 states with a hunk of wire in the trees and a
little more power than it takes to run a lightbulb (or less)
is fun too.  Helping other folks learn how to format and
handle a radiogram is fun and rewarding.

THen think about this, and if you want to read the whole
piece go to www.emcomm.org and read the February 2006 issue.
rEmember the recent mine disaster?  By the time the info got
to the eoc it was garbled and the number of survivors and
the number of dead got turned around.
Lower hf qrp with cw is perfect for caving.
SOme of the hospital traffic I handled during the hurricane
would have gone well on cw.  IN fact I would have had  a
little higher comfort level with handling that traffic with
a good cw traffic handler at the other end of the circuit.
tHere's always something new and different to try.  I figure
thatr I can never find myself bored or lonely as long as I
have this hobby.

73 de nf5b




Richard WEbb,
Electric SPider Productions,
Eads Tennessee