Are W1AW bulletins and code practice still useful?

I got the latest W1AW schedule (below) by e-mail yesterday. Aside from copying the W1AW bulletin on Field Day, I haven’t listened to the station for years. Do you ever listen to the bulletins or code practice on W1AW? Or, is this a service whose time has come and gone?

SB QST @ ARL $ARLB040
ARLB040 W1AW 2016/2017 Winter Operating Schedule

ZCZC AG40
QST de W1AW
ARRL Bulletin 40 ARLB040
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington CT November 7, 2016
To all radio amateurs

SB QST ARL ARLB040
ARLB040 W1AW 2016/2017 Winter Operating Schedule

Daily Visitor Operating Hours:

1500 UTC to 1700 UTC – (10 AM to 12 PM EST)
1800 UTC to 2045 UTC – (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST)
(Station closed 1700 to 1800 UTC (12 PM to 1 PM EST))

Morning Schedule:

Time	Mode	Days
1400 UTC (9 AM EST)	CWs	Wed, Fri
1400 UTC (9 AM EST)	CWf	Tue, Thu

Afternoon/Evening Schedule:

Time	Mode	Days
2100 UTC (4 PM EST)	CWf	Mon, Wed, Fri
2100 UTC	CWs	Tue, Thu
2200 UTC (5 PM EST)	CWb	Daily
2300 UTC (6 PM EST)	DIGITAL	Daily
0000 UTC (7 PM EST)	CWs	Mon, Wed, Fri
0000 UTC	CWf	Tue, Thu
0100 UTC (8 PM EST)	CWb	Daily
0200 UTC (9 PM EST)	DIGITAL	Daily
0245 UTC (9:45 PM EST)	VOICE	Daily
0300 UTC (10 PM EST)	CWf	Mon, Wed, Fri
0300 UTC	CWs	Tue, Thu
0400 UTC (11 PM EST)	CWb	Daily

Frequencies (MHz)

CW: 1.8025 3.5815 7.0475 14.0475 18.0975 21.0675 28.0675 147.555
DIGITAL: – 3.5975 7.095 14.095 18.1025 21.095 28.095 147.555
VOICE: 1.855 3.990 7.290 14.290 18.160 21.390 28.590 147.555

Notes:

CWs = Morse Code practice (slow) = 5, 7.5, 10, 13 and 15 WPM
CWf = Morse Code practice (fast) = 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 13 and 10 WPM
CWb = Morse Code Bulletins = 18 WPM

CW frequencies include code practices, Qualifying Runs and CW bulletins.

DIGITAL = BAUDOT (45.45 baud), BPSK31 and MFSK16 in a revolving schedule.

Beginning in January 2017, the voice mode used for W1AW’s 40 meter voice bulletins will be full-carrier, double-sideband AM.

Code practice texts are from QST, and the source of each practice is given at the beginning of each practice and at the beginning of alternate speeds.

On Tuesdays and Fridays at 2330 UTC (6:30 PM EST), Keplerian Elements for active amateur satellites are sent on the regular digital frequencies.

A DX bulletin replaces or is added to the regular bulletins between 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Thursdays and 0100 UTC (8 PM EST) Fridays.

Audio from W1AW’s CW code practices, CW/digital bulletins and phone bulletin is available using EchoLink via the W1AW Conference Server named “W1AWBDCT.” The monthly W1AW Qualifying Runs are presented here as well. The audio is sent in real-time and runs concurrently with W1AW’s regular transmission schedule.

All users who connect to the conference server are muted. Please note that any questions or comments about this server should not be sent via the “Text” window in EchoLink. Please direct any questions or comments to w1aw@arrl.org.

In a communications emergency, monitor W1AW for special bulletins as follows: Voice on the hour, Digital at 15 minutes past the hour, and CW on the half hour.

All licensed amateurs may operate the station from 1500 UTC to 1700 UTC (10 AM to 12 PM EST), and then from 1800 UTC to 2045 UTC (1 PM to 3:45 PM EST) Monday through Friday. Be sure to bring your current FCC amateur radio license or a photocopy.

The W1AW Operating Schedule may also be found on page 83 in the November 2016 issue of QST or on the web at http://ift.tt/1FiicXT .

NNNN
/EX

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