Some clubs have actually reported an increased interest in CW now that it's 
not manditory.  Speaking as some one who operates it a lot and for whom it's 
my favorite mode, I hope that's not just wishful thinking.  Sure it's 
outmoded by other digital modes but it sure is a fun and relaxing skill to 
exercise.  Lou WA3MIX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Dresser" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: Dumbing down, was Re: Selling Gear Online


> Buddy,
>
> Despite the no-code license, there seems to be a die-hard bunch of devoted
> CW operators.  If we want to look at why ham radio is dying (and I think 
> it
> is to some extent), it's because there are so many other ways to
> communicate--cell phones and the Internet, for example.  All that said,
> though, people seem to find ways to enjoy the hobby if they're truly
> interested.
>
> Steve
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 16:26
> Subject: Dumbing down, was Re: Selling Gear Online
>
>
>> Oh boy, here we go. So, passing a code test pases on interest in hf? =
>> That's a bit convoluted. I agree that the tests have gotten easier. I =
>> was also one of the first to get up in arms when we got our first =
>> codeless license. I was, however, also one of the first to admit that I =
>> was wrong about the codeless tech brnging an end to my beloved hobby. =
>> The hobby's been dying now since the introduction of the Novice license =
>> in 1951, if not before. And it's still alive and well. You don't think =
>> the difficulty in erecting hf antennas, owing to cc&r's and HOA's, might 
>> =
>> not have something to do with the seemling lack of interest in HF
>> gear?=20=
>>
>>
>> I, for one, have observed that when people talk about "dumbing down", =
>> what that really means is "Things aren't the same as they were back =
>> in*my(*day." Believe me, I can be as curmudgeonly as the next guy. I =
>> didn't dub myself "the world's youngest old fart" years ago for nothing, 
>> =
>> you know. But change is inevitable. Roll with it.=20
>>
>> And, more to the point, has anyone else noticed that the people who =
>> often holler the loudest about how the tests are dumbed down and we =
>> should still have a code requirement, aren't cw ops? Interesting.=20
>> --
>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 30, 2011, at 4:17 PM, Tom Brennan wrote:
>>
>>> Steve, unfortunately we're seeing the result of the no code and =
>> dumbing down of
>>> the tests.  Now we've got a bunch of techs that are only interested in =
>> 2m
>>> repeaters.  I'd think that online selling of gear would be fairly easy =
>> either
>>> through Ebay or even through this list or sales lists run by sites =
>> such as QRZ
>>> etc.
>>>=20
>>> Tom
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> Tom Brennan  KD5VIJ, CCC-A/SLP
>>> web page http://titan.sfasu.edu/~g_brennantg/sonicpage.html
>>>=20
>>> On Sat, 30 Apr 2011, Steve Matzura wrote:
>>>=20
>>>> Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2011 14:56:01 -0400
>>>> From: Steve Matzura <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Reply-To: For blind ham radio operators =
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Subject: Selling Gear Online
>>>>=20
>>>> Where's the best place to go to put some gear for sale online? =
>> Someone
>>>> I know has a relative who's giving up the hobby because they'll be
>>>> moving into an assisted living facility and will have no space or
>>>> other wherewithal to work the hobby other than via either a handheld
>>>> or a mobile rig with a magmount out the window. I'm told he have =
>> quite
>>>> a modern HF station, but have no specifics as to what gear is =
>> actually
>>>> involved. Funny thing, the ham wanted to donate it to a local club or
>>>> school, but the few takers he could find were only interested in
>>>> VHF/UHF gear. Any recommendations greatly appreciated and will be
>>>> passed along.
>>>>=20
>>