Does anyone know where I can get a free pdf copy of the
14AVS user's manual?

Thanks & 73's,
KB3LME

Let's get rid of this "I got mine, so you must get yours" selfish mentality.

Life has many changes to offer, and the drop of CW is one of them. Big deal that CW was dropped. Ham radio will always be ham radio with so much that all operators can continue to learn from. Dropping Morse does not change that.

There are all kinds of people involved in this hobby, from the deep techie types to those that could care less about what's under the hood. And there are those that could care less about CW. That's part of the beauty of the hobby.

I hear discussion that since CW is dropped, that the HF bands will now become crowded. Well ... so what! Most times I hear people complaining that there are not enough active hams on the airways, and now that there is a potential for that to change, you guys complain that there will be too many ... make up your mind.

OK, the last time I commented on this subject it was
June 20, 2006 around the time I had planned to take the CW test. For one reason or another I got distracted and delayed from taking it until about 5 months later on 11/11/06.

Halleluiah ... I passed the CW test the first time around!

Now my thoughts on what I think about keeping CW as a requirement. I now see the light ... quite clearly actually ... yes all HF operators MUST take the element 1 test ... if I did it, so must those that follow ... I have been assimilated.

Well now on the other hand ... I still don't see why I had to take that darned CW test in the first place ...

I'm sooooo confused ....

My thoughts are true, but don't take these coments too seriously ... they are really intended to add a little humor to the mix of this converation!

73s,
KB3LME

I'm presently a tech. I've recently learned Morse at about 7wpm using the MFJ418 in about 3 weeks, and soon to take the element 1 test. It's not that difficult if you are committed to doing it. I've become committed to learning CW because I wanted to get on HF bad enough, so that was my motivation ... not the thought of learning CW.

Now as far as it being required to operate HF, I don't agree with that. Presently, I too am of the opinion that CW is just one mode of many. Like all the other modes, let Morse stand on it's own ... simply put, survival of the fittest.

I admit, I had a bit of a bad taste in my mouth with the thought of having to learn CW to get to HF. When I decided to go for it with CW, I had a few choice words of the thought it ... but as time went on, and the easier it got, the less of a bad taste I felt. So just maybe and naturally so I think, us newcomers are trying to find the easy way out, or I should say the easiest way to get to HF, and will want to naturally avoid CW.

It's my perception that in most cases, those that have already passed CW have the view that, yes, CW should be a requirement. Why they feel that way is note quite clear to me. I have heard a lot of arguments in favor of CW, but it's my view that none of those opinions justify having to learn CW to operate HF. It's my general perception that they feel that since they have gone through the "pain" of learning CW, therefore, so must everyone that follows. Well, my view is probably simplifying things a bit, but that's generally how I see it ... human nature ... If I had to do it, so must you.

Now moving to the future, once I pass my element 1 test, my perspective may change. Maybe then I will think, yes, CW should be a requirement in getting to HF. After all, when I first started out learning CW, I kicked and screamed at the thought of it. And now, being able to do at least 7wpm and being able to decode some of the stuff going on while listening on the HF bands, I think hmmm, this is actually kind cool. Now after I pass my test in the near future my perspective may be in favor of CW as a requirement ... time will tell.

There are a lot of variables on why people view CW as requirement or not. One thing for certain, whichever side of the fence you fall on, it does bring about interesting conversation.

In any case, this IS a very touchy subject.

Hope I don't get myself into trouble here.

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Never thought I could do that without looking at a cheat sheet ... kind of cool

Great software package ... especially 4nec2x with the 3D display capability. I'm fairly new to modeling antennas, but with a little practice, I'm becoming quite proficient at using this execellent tool.

You can not go wrong by using it. Like anything, it just takes a little practice at getting used to it.

And amazingly ... the tool is absolutely free.