An open letter to Aliexpress

Chinese traders have the worst reputation in the world. One trader is able to sell shoes, garden furniture and special electronics at the same time and does not understand any of it. His goal is to earn at all costs and does not shy away from robbing the customer in any way. Brands are often counterfeited, inappropriate, simplified technologies are used, and the use of inferior components and materials is common. The trader is not interested in the value of the product, the product is only taken as a means to make a profit. The Chinese trader does not respect or know European trade rules, apparently unable to understand that a European is not interested in cheaper goods if it means lower quality. If an European wants to save, he will reach for a simpler model with fewer options, but only if even the simpler model meets the basic requirements for functionality and is made of quality components. The rule "we are not rich enough to afford cheap things" always applies.

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The TinyKeyer

the (possibly) World's Smallest Fully-Featured CW Keyer with Computer Support

Article updated on Jan. 26, 2021

This keyer, based on Arduino design, employs the famous K3NG code. It can be used with any Windows/Linux/Mac logging or contesting software with Winkeyer USB (K1EL) support. The credit & big kudos goes to Anthony Good (Goody), K3NG, who did the tremendous work. It is a very small unit (outer dimensions 45 x 45 x 18.6 mm, appx. 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.73 in) which does not have any fancy options (a zillion of buttons, psychedelic flashing LED lights or cockatoo colored displays). It is intended for regular CW work and contesting with computer support, most of functions should be adjusted and operated via the computer. For standalone work an acoustic menu in command mode is used. Otherwise, only speed control knob and a mini LED indicating the command mode is on the front panel, nothing more. See here.

Welcome to FT-SHMATE!

A Modest Proposal
By Victor Rosenthal, 4X6GP

While waiting for VP6R to operate CW instead of FT-8 on 20 or 15 meters during the very short openings to the Middle East, I began to think that FT-8 might not be as bad as I’d believed. My thoughts turned to ways that it could be improved. And suddenly I got an idea that I think will revolutionize digital mode operation, amateur radio in general, and maybe even pay for my beer.

Read more: Welcome to FT-SHMATE!

Stop using FT-8

FT-8 is so much less labour and operator skill-intensive than CW/SSB that it has a fatal attraction for DXpeditions - more people can be worked more easily and more quickly. Added to this, "He who holds the gold makes the rules" and DXpeditions mostly hold the gold as we want to work them. So if increasing numbers of DXpeditions are intending to use FT-8 what can we CW/SSB ops do about it to turn this around?

To start with, we can stop using FT-8 at all in our day-to-day operation. The less stations there are on FT-8 the less temptation/likelihood there is of a DXpedition using FT-8 it - particularly if all stations with good transmit and receive antennas aren’t using it.

Perhaps even more important – and we come back to the gold metaphor - when you make a DXpedition donation – and please do so - clearly state you are interested in CW/SSB and do not use FT-8.

[borrowed from Steve, VK6VZ]

P.S. Feel free to download (click here) and share this article.