This is just an opinion...I really think there should be a special license which youth can get a tiny portion of an amateur radio band,and I mean tiny but enough to draw the younger folks into the hobby.Maybe QRP only band for CW?And have the license so easy to obtain,a 5 year old can get one.In the computer world with MYSPACE and CHAT,I really do not see kids interested in this hobby and I see this from trying to get my son and nephews involved.

I was being sarcastic when I said NEW.:)You make a great point.I am used to SIERRA,not SUGAR or SANTIAGO.The great thing about sticking with the proper phonetics is the fact its always the same with good results.Pretty simple logic.

I cant seem to understand the new phonetic alphabet lately.Sugar,India,Japan,Mexico,Santiago...etc?Using the country names are really confusing when trying to figure out where the station is from.Also,saying your call and following it with,"For station I.D"?Why else would you say your call?And today I have been hearing,"CQ CQ CQ 40 Meters on phone and standing by"?Holy cow.I wonder if they do that when sending CW.Usually if I hear you I can tell you are in PHONE mode.:)Maybe at least say,"LSB or USB phone"?Not only that,unless you are calling folks who do not have markings on the dial or frequency readouts to know what band you are on?How can one not know what band they are on?Not a complaint,but kinda weird how many cannot use the simple rules of Ham communications anymore.Actually,what kind of example is that for newcomers?

Believe me,I have 10 meter operating rights...Look up my old call sign> KB2NCY and went to N2NXZ.Pretty confusing these days.

My first call sign in 1991 was KB2NCY.Anyhow,thank you much for the information.I see I am not the only one that finds this license stuff confusing.Happy Easter all.

Probably a good idea to send with a keyer and use the prog to receive until I get used to reading code better.Thanks for the input.

I had been a fan of a program called Multipsk.It is a great tool for receiving much of he common data comms in the radio spectrum.My question is:Would it be a bad thing to use this program for CW RX/TX on the HF bands?I understand that its basically the, "Easy way out".But these days,easier is ok by me.Just wondered if it is legal to use in the USA?I find this program to actually help me learn CW in words rather than by letters.I can send CW like the wind,but receiving is a bit tougher. Jim  N2NXZ

So much information on the WWW,but so much tail chasing.There is the NO-CODE TECH and the TECH/PLUS License holders.Then the part about getting a TechPlus before 1987.What is someone who had taken the Novice written exam and the morse code,then later took the Technician exam???Just a TECH?If so,does this mean a newbie can take one test and have the same privelages?And take the general written exam and obtain a General?

Even if 10 meters is dead for DX,It is a good place for locals to know who they are.Here in Rochester NY I have not heard anyone in my city in the 3 months of listening on all bands.I think a lot of people are VHF/UHF around here.But being persistent on 10 meters would be a good way for people to find locals.I do not think there always has to be propagation to use it.Just a thought.

Weekends are best for me for 10 meter RX/TX.Its the only chance I get around 12-2pm EST.But I do hear stations fading in and out recently on 28400 in this time frame.To me ,the unpredictable is the fun of it.

I think 11 meters they run ridiculous power outputs.If you go to channel 6 or 26 usually you will hear something from out of your state.In 10 meters,the rule is 200 watts max.Too bad or 10 would be active more often.I personally rather run low watts on all bands.Makes it more challenging,besides,I hear alot of guys using 1500 watts in 80 meters telling people running 100 watts they need an amp,but they sound just as clear and have the same signals.Funny how it works in radio.Until I get my General class,28.400 USB is where I`ll be calling CQ.

Excellent website.Thank you.

Ironic.Just talked to a station in California.We were both running TS520`s stock power.I guess 10 meters has its moments.I am very happy about this rig.He also struggled with my call sign.I will keep it although a bit of a tongue twister.There are still some old friends out there that know this call.

Well,I guess no one has any Bill Cheek scanner radio books.No replies yet.