Recently changed my call to honor a dear friend of mine. His last three are the same as mine.

I have been licensed for over 30 plus years and have enjoyed the hobby totally. By no means am I an OF or OT, at least, not yet. From starting out working crystal controlled transmitters at 75Watts to now operating all the privledges allocated to Amateur Extra Class.

#1 DXCC and Life Member of ARRL.

I enjoy CW as I find Morse code a very effective and efficient mode, which to date, has yet to be superceded by other forms of communication that can be proven to be as bandwidth efficient, effective during poor band conditions and can provide the higher QSO rate during expeditions and contests, etc., as CW. Regardless of the non-factual tripe the NCI camp will post, CW is and continues to demonstrate higher efficiency then any voice mode.

All amateurs should understand and be able to use CW in some level of proficiency to complete the balance of communication modes offered and used globally. Morse Code has and continues to contribute to the advancement of the radio art/hobby through the development and advancement of newer and more exciting digital modes. CW continues to evolve info more modes of communication whereas archiac voice modes continue to remain stagnate; a very inefficient form of communication which has been proven to be unreliable, difficult to use in poor band conditions, exhibiting limitations and obstacles.

This is not a code-no code debate. Read again any NCI types. This is NOT A DEBATE. These are just FACTS, some narrow minded individuals choose to ignore.

Knowing CW doesn't make an individual a better op, just a better equipped op. Getting a license to just "talk" on a radio isn't all there is to amateur radio. Amateur radio is far more.

For me, this hobby has many avenues of interesting aspects to enjoy from AM to SSB, CW to Digital, Building to restoring, DX-ing to Ragchewing. This hobby offers the capability to communicate with individuals from all parts of the world, all backgrounds, all without barriers. That makes Amateur Radio unique.

Instead of individuals whining and crying about "respect" and "upgrading" etc., just get on and operate and enjoy the priv the hobby allows you to utilize.  Whining posts and vomitting on forums does nothing except get you ignored on QRZ forums with a simple setting and onto a listing with many ops whom you will never hear answer your CQs.  Be an adult in amateur radio and everyone will enjoy the hobby.

If you ever deal with me on a sale, I always, always, 100% stand behind anything and everything I sell or trade. I expect the same from others.

One of my greatest mentors was JH1WIX (sk). Miss working him on the air.

PS:  For any of you "band cops" out there, if my DX spotting is a bit off it is because I lack high frequency hearing ability and have to tune slightly below the received signal.  God gave me the hearing I had and I abused it out of carelessness, so now I have to work with what I have.

So for your self imposed "cops" out there, use your receiver and find the DX.  At least I can get you close enough you certainly can hear it (if you are actually wanting to).  GL!