Lou,

I've been a ham for 45 years and CW, or the Original Digital Mode, as in ODM 
for short, has always been my favorite.  I like sideband when talking with 
friends but I've always love CW and, in fact, I think it was CW that 
attracted me the most in getting a license in the first place.  CW is also 
far from being dead.  With the band not so hot right now, it doesn't look 
like CW is very much but you let a contest, or Field Day, pop on to the 
bands, and you can't even find a place to have a normal CW contact; the CW 
bands are so crowded.  Now is also the time to learn CW because, with your 
general class, a guy can get on the air on any band and run any speed and he 
will find someone to talk to him at that speed.  I do it all the time.  DX 
is easier to work and if you aren't running an amplifier, CW is where you'll 
make the most contacts.  I'd give up the hobby, I do believe, if they band 
CW operation on the ham bands.  It just wouldn't be as fun any longer under 
those conditions.  Come to think of it, maybe even with a Technician license 
you can operate CW on the CW bands.  I don't remember the rules any longer 
about that.

Phil.
K0NX





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lou Kolb" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 4:28 PM
Subject: Re: Dumbing down, was Re: Selling Gear Online


> 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