At one time, I worked digital modes almost exclusively, and I packed a bunch of log entries in PSK31 and RTTY. In fact, I am an early member of the European PSK club, holding number 59 in that august body. Variations in typing abilities, however, gradually began to irritate me. Some guys could never figure out that you could type ahead, building an entire reply as you read the lines screening up. Watching one letter slowly appear after another became tiresome. I gradually fell away from twenty for PSK because of the "wham, bam, thankee ma'am" contacts that obviated long, chatty QSOs -- which, to my mind (as a raconteur and bullshit artist), are the raison d'etre of amateur radio. Seventeen and forty are far more pleasant.

Thanks, Dave, for reminding me of UEY. I got his name close, but no cigar. As I now remember, it was Orv, not Irv. Irascible sucker, but knowledgeable and his style, though obnoxious, forced you to think a process out. He would not give easy answers. Never had the pleasure of a QSO, though. Wonder if he's still giving 'em hell over there.