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I have participated in SKN several years now and enjoy it more than any other contest. It is so relaxed! This year I used my Knight T-60 transmitter and the HB-QST Neophyte direct conversion receiver. The transmitter was crystal controlled as in the past. I also used the Heath HW-16 for a real chirpy experience. Boy, that rig of mine needs some work! Gives me something to work on for next year. I used a cheap straight key this year, but in the past I have used my MecaGraph 1908 bug. I managed to work 13 stations. My special thanks to w6bo and n6bob for a threeway in the contest. 73's and hope to CU next year.
Straight key night is about having a good time and meeting people on the air. I used my w.w.2 navy flameproof key that I bought on ebay a year or two ago, but I contacted one ham, Tom, w2tmt, who used his navy issue key that was issued to him when he was in the navy. (The air force never issued me a telegraph key, as I was a musician, not a telegrapher).
Made four contacts: k8hzk, Leo from Michigan, n5gy, John from Texas, w2tmt, Tom from Florida, and n5eei, Dave from Tennessee.
My vote for best fist goes to Tom, w2tmt, with his original navy issue key, still with the original owner.
My advice for no code hams? Take about 15 minutes daily to work on the code and get your straight key for next year's event. Nothing else like it. Might even impress the kids or grandkids.
73, Ben ny0o
WB2LEB K7FD N0JL WD6FDD
The 2009 Soapbox is now up. Please re-post so your comments will be represented.
Although I really don’t like using straight keys, I break down and use one on Straight Key Night (SKN). This year’s SKN did not start out very auspiciously. After spraying some contact cleaner on the phone plug of my J-45 (which is a J-37 mounted on a leg clamp) and plugging it into my rig, I discovered I had an open circuit.
Fixing it was no piece of cake. First of all, the cable on the key uses crimp-on terminals, so I first had to get that terminal off without destroying it so that I could re-use it. Then, I discovered that the cable used the type of wire that used cotton thread interlaced with the copper wire. So, before I could solder things back together, I had to pick out as much of that thread as I could. Overall, it took me about 45 minutes to get it all back together.
It was worth it, though. The first thing I heard was some guy calling QLF? instead of QRL? QLF?, for those of you not familiar with some of the more exotic Q-signals, means, “Are you sending with your left foot”? Indeed, many of us, me included, sounded like we were sending with our left feet.
My first contact was with WU2D, who was also using a J-37 to key an ARC-5 transmitter. His signal was a bit chirpy, but fun to copy. After making a couple more short contacts, I ran into Paul, N8XMS, who is just down the road in Livonia.
After the QSO with N8XMS, I dialed down to the low end of the band. There, I worked LW3DG. Technically, this wasn’t an SKN QSO, but it was fun to work a little DX. After wishing Edgar a “Prospero Ano Nuevo,” I switched to 80m
There, I contacted W3EEK, who was running only 500 mW. Despite the low power, he was 579 here, with peaks at S9. According to QRZ.Com, he’s 417.4 miles away from me, nearly qualifying for the 1000 miles/W award.
Finally, I worked N8COO. This was a memorable contact for several reasons: - he was also using a J-45 key, - his callsign spells a word (coo), and I can add this to my collection, and - this was QSO #8000 since I got back on the air six years ago.
That did it for me. I couldn’t have ended SKN on a better note.
Ran on 40 meters only for a total of two QSOs or all my glass arm could take. Running a half century old Western Union Telco key into my mint fresh Elecraft K3, mix of old and new. Had great chat with Neil KE5WIQ down in Texas. Thanks for sponsoring the event each year. John in Independence, MO
Novice station recreated form 50's & 60's. What a blast. |
Got on 40 meters right after the New Year rang in, and found a bunch of
cw activity. Used my old Ham-Key HK-3M and had two great contacts to begin 2009. It's really a fun event which I look forward to every year.
Big winds caused tower to be lowered...and my 40m sloper to droop along the ground as a result. Nonetheless, the Ten Tec Argonaut V seemed happy. Ended up making about 4 real nice ragchews with good signals in the NW. All fists were super! A special thanks to xyl N7SG for providing my straight key this year...a GHD 2008 Christmas Key!
Happy Holidays to all...
What a blast. I worked 22 stations on two continents. Included were six of the SKCC K3Y stations. This is nearly twice the total stations that I worked last year. I used a Kent KT-1, Navy Flameproof, and Soviet TKF straight keys. I also used a Kent SP-1 (wired as a cootie) and an LTA BBMO on a Santos Mahogany base. Love those side swipers! See ya next year.
Had a great time once again. worked 40 the whole time. using my novice key from my boy scout days, 1960. ran into a many that were still using their first novice station. i will have to recap my DX-40 and get it along with my S20 R back on line for next year. very glad to see so many people on SKN
73's Rich
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