Tom,

When I'm low and digging out, I don't need the distraction of the
radio. I just want to hear the vario and look outside. And when I'm
low, there's nobody down with me. Granted, in a contest, there's not
much going on over 123.3, except when you hear competitors calling in
"four miles" and "finish". When I'm digging out, hanging on by
fingernails, I don't need to hear that. Radio is off. But when I'm
up and when I suspect or know other gliders could be around or are
around, I'll have the radio on.

I've never had the "pleasure" of "digging out" with company. If I
ever do, the radio will be on.

And don't worry about flying with me. If we ever ended up at the same
contest, you would have to do a 180, hold your binoculars up, and look
way back along the course you just flew and way down. Also, look for
the non-moving glider on the ground.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA