Using a straight key (or bug) is like using a hand plane and chisels to make furniture. The end result will never be as perfect as something done with power tools, but the satisfaction is in the challenge of learning to do the best job possible with something that demands physical skill.
I am immediately alerted whenever I hear a bug or straight key on the bands. I find keyers boring by comparison. Not that I won't work someone sending machine-perfect CW and enjoy the contact, but to me it's like listening to a "computer voice" instead of a real person speaking. I quite agree that the skill in working QRP goes to the receiving station. I get a much bigger personal thrill out of achieving Q5 copy from a guy running 100 mW than I do when someone reports Q5 copy when I'm running 100 mW. Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Pete Smith Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 1:33 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 - just 500 watts? And I think a lot of the "skill" should be credited to the ops on the other end who manage to pull out the QRP stations. That said, operator skill is particularly important for any QRP station - I will never understand why many still use straight keys, badly formed cw, and unnecessary verbiage (like "/QRP", for example). 73, Pete N4ZR ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
