My First Equipment After saving some money, I wrote (no e-mail or 800 numbers back then) a dealer requesting a trade-in quote for my general coverage receiver (previous link). I explained how carefully the unit had been cared for, calling it "a little jewel". When my quote came in the mail, they had listed by the receiver's model number the same words, "a little jewel" :-) I was on my way to having what were called "The Hallicrafters Twins"!
CW Was Fun! Not only was CW like a new language, there were some really neat things about it. For one thing it was something special-- only a select group could "read your mail". Secondly, you knew you were following in the traditions of the Titanic radio operator and those who kept the "Wild West" alive with their land-line telegraph communications. But a third special quality of CW was that you never knew if the ham replying to your CQ was an elderly man, a young woman or another kid like you! And even when you found out gender and age, you still could have no prejudice about regional accents.
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