Lock my brain and decode
I can’t keep up with the changes in amateur radio. Now that digital communications are the rage, it means that I’d have to give up my regular job and do nothing but test new versions of software. Yes, I know; I gave up my job several years ago. I have the time. It’s the fever that I lack.
You see, a generation ago, I had to listen… with my ears. And then I had to lock my brain onto a signal and take the time to decode the data. With a pencil, paper and the “repeat key” (a string of question marks). Now although I speak from very limited experience, it seems that simply turning on the computer and hitting the inevitable go button allows the communication to take place while I’m off doing something else. Making a cup of coffee, for example. Later on, the recorded digital log file will brag about my communication prowess, and in a matter of hours, I can put in for my worked the world award.
Before some wiseacre steps up to indicate the obvious, yes; I can do it the old-fashioned way, but the number of possible partners for hose contacts is shrinking. Age, yes, and a swing to “totally modern”.
I have the gear, but the interest in an automated process;not so much. On a parallel track, all of the fun short wave stations are now silent. Killed by budget balancing and a change in the geopolitical game plan. Leaves people like me “out of a job”, if you will. And my kids still think I’m eccentric.
