QST is going digital…………..

This afternoon when I checked my email there was a very interesting email from the ARRL. In June of this year QST is going digital!! Well almost they are still going to offer their paper addition but ARRL members will also have access (free of charge) to the QST digital version. The digital version will have some content that is only offered in the digital layout along with videos and hyper-links. Now if you are a regular reader of this blog you may remember back in August of 2011 I posted about Monitoring Times digital addition. They were offering a digital only subscription at a cheaper price than the paper version. I went for it and well...it was the reason the alarm bells went off
when I read my email from the ARRL's regarding the introduction of a digital version of QST.  I have to admit I have had the digital version of Monitoring Times for 5 months now and well this digital thing sounds very sci-fi and geeky...BUT......it just has not worked out for me.  For example on December 17th I was emailed the new Monitoring times issue.....it's still in my Hotmail in box a month later. It's almost time for the next issue!!! There sure are some cool things about the digital issue with the hyper-links and instant emailing feedback to articles.
I have come to the conclusion there is nothing like the paper version. There is something to say for pulling out a periodical when you have a spare minute. With the digital version I found this very hard to do. It's not easy to roll up a laptop or Kindle and toss it in the glove box of the car. I think QST has the right idea offering both for the same price and not making you chose between the two. I am looking forward to June and see what this digital version has to add to the paper version.
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

7 Responses to “QST is going digital…………..”

  • K2UFT:

    I agree with your conclusion, Mike – similarly, I would rather have the cardboard QSL card than an LOTW credit. 73 Dick K2UFT

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Good afternoon Dick, first off thanks for stopping by the blog and taking the time to comment. Funny thing as your email downloaded into my in box so did Feburarys issue of Monitoring times! I have not even read Decembers yet.

  • Peter KG5WY:

    I’ll take paper, not plastic. (nor digital)

  • Mike VE3WDM:

    Hi Peter, thanks for your comment and I am now leaning toward the paper versions but QST has a good idea with offering the combination for one price. This way you have a choice either way.

  • VE5UO:

    Personally, I am looking forward to a digital copy and the utility that goes with it (searchable, easy to archive, no more mags to store/throw out…). For that matter, I prefer LOTW for the ease/economy.

    If ARRL does it right, I will be opting out of the print version of QST.

  • Ross Amico/WA4KEB:

    I like the idea of digital. I like reading the paper magazine but don’t like keeping them around. This way if there is an article I want to save, I can keep it digitally.

  • Mike Ve3wdm:

    Good morning Dave, thanks for the comment and I too like LOTW and Eqsl I find the paper QSL’s just seem to be looked at once and then they are off into a desk draw to gather dust. As for the digital copies all I can say is some like their tea with milk other milk and sugar while others just black.

    Hello Ross, thanks for stopping by the blog and yes that’s true the paper copies sure can pile up and I am the first to admit my carry bag seems to get heavy with old issues of QST and CQ as the months go past.

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