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Made seven QSOs with a Ten-Tec 1340 qrp rig running on a 12 volt gel cell battery. I built the rig in 1999 for My 55th Birthday. used in for My first skn that year while working over time on Y2K watch with the Houston Police Dept. didnt work skn again intill 2004 used Ten-Tec with a 400ft long wire the high end up 270 ft on a commercial communication tower worked about a dozen stations even had pile ups calling My qrp station. This year no pile ups using a trap inv at 35ft contacts all made on qrp except for last one new years day just before skn close qrm and band condiction just too bad for qrp. most contacts were about 30 min long except for one I lost after a few min and KG4LDD who could not copy My call for a no contact. or it would have been 8 qsos instead of 7. My most interesting qso was with N5GW in Vicksburg MS running 1 watt HB transmitter and a HB DC receiver He was also My vote for best fist. I plan on skn again next year with the long wire used as a off center fed zepp.Key I used this year was a surplus J-38 I first used as a novice in 1958 with a 6AG7 osc and a 6L6 final May use it next year with a SX24 My first receiver. Jimmy Tomball TX.
Jim, W8JFB & K9 Pal, Buddy ~ SKN 2005 |
I made 25 contacts, with a total of 445 minutes air time, which equates to 17 minutes per contact. I found that operating the straight key was not like the "good old days" of my novice days, back in 1963. It seems that the "little straight key" has become an instrument, much like those contraptions you see advertised on TV, that build your body muscles without leaving the privacy of your own home. In other words, you can get sore without being embarrassed by doing it in front of other people. After about 4 hours of operation, I noticed a small blister forming on my finger caused from "gripping the navy style key knob" like there was no tomorrow! It was worth it though, I had lots of fun listening to other "old hams" and newer ones too, trying to pound out the old 15 words per minute with the straight key, it was "music to my ears!"
After finishing my enjoyable 24 hours of participation in SKN, I have one individual that I wish to nominate for the award of "Best Fist" for SKN 2005. This individual is Harold "Hal" Danforth, NU9L of Oshkosh, WI. Hal is a retired medical doctor and is 85 years young. He has been a licensed amateur operator for more years that I have been alive, and he has a "magnificent fist" and was by far the best fist I heard during the entire contest time. I was truly impressed with his sending abilities and think he should be considered for the prestigious award of "Best Fist." We talked for over 30 minutes and he was almost flawless. If I am blessed to be able to send code like this by the time I am 85 years, I will be very happy. Regardless if he gets the award or not, I wish to say: "Thank you Doc, for all the time you devoted to the lives of others so that their quality of life could be just a little bit better. Now enjoy your retirement." If any of you hear Hal, NU9L, be sure to give him a call and say Hello Hal! His code will rival the very best that you will ever hear.
Now I will get off my soapbox and return to my regular routine and anxiously await for Dec. 31st, 2005, at 7:00pm, when Straight Key Night begins again. Very best of 73's to you all. Jim Bishop,W8JFB, St. Ignace, MI.
I only had a little time to operate during SKN this year but enjoyed all the good fists and vintage rigs I worked. Some interesting keys as well. My first QSO was with K6KPH at KPH coast station Point Reyes, CA. I am a seagoing radio electronics officer and have worked KPH many, many times for CW message traffic to various ships I have worked on worldwide over the past 27 years. I used QRP power level with my Elecraft KX1 mostly on 40m with a Carolina Windom antenna up 35 feet. I used a 2002 Christmas Key for sending my signals out of Reno Nevada. 73/BV til next year!
Carl
J-47 Key |
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This is the K0AZ 2005 Straight Key Night station. The receiver on the right is a gorgeous BC-348P which was used during WWII in bombers like the B-17 in the European theater. The transmitter on the left is from the mid 50s and from World Radio Laboratories in Council Bluffs Iowa. It is a Globe Scout 65A and next to it is the 755 vfo which controls the transmit frequency. Vintage headphones, J-38 straight key from the war II era and an Astatic Crystal JT-30 microphone are on the desk in front. The upper shelf has the Speed X Johnson bug out of service for the time being and another set of vintage headphones. 1955 Allied Radio catalog, 1955 and 56 ARRL handbooks with a Heathkit AR-3 receiver and WWII vintage LS-3 speaker. Of course the ships clock is a real Chelsea 24 hour 8 day wind up shipboard time piece. It feels great being lost in the 50s if only for a short while. -- K0AZ
Part of the transmitter gallery at Bolinas showing vintage RCA sets and more modern Henry units. A total of 19 transmitters are operational on amateur and commercial frequencies. |
Two of our group, Steve Hawes (WB6UZX) and Tom Horsfall (WA6OPE) remained at the transmitting station in Bolinas, CA to watch over the transmitters. Richard Dillman (W6AWO) and Denice Stoops (ex-KPH op) were at the receiving station at Pt. Reyes, CA. each controlling several transmitters and monitoring 3 receivers (including MF). At 0000GMT we sent our welcome message and it was non-stop after that. We had a total of 79 contacts, some with the same station on multiple bands.
Of course the real fun of SKN is meeting others who love the art and tradition of Morse code as much as we do. The best Morse ops are typically heard on SKN and this year was no exception. To all the stations we worked we extend our thanks for taking the time to call K6KPH. To those who were unable to reach us we offer our apologies and the hope that we will QSO next year.
KPH was also on the air from dusk to dawn Pacific time on 500kc and 426kc. The transmitter was a Henry running about 5kW. The antenna was a Marconi T. These transmissions were heard in Hawaii and New Zealand as well as all across the US.
VY 73,
RD
Chief Operator, K6KPH
My XMAS present from the XYL |
Telegraphy's roots and early application |
The year 2005 is the beginning of my 45th year in ham radio and this was the first SKN for me. It really takes one back to hear vintage radios on the air. The chirpy signal seems to be a badge of honor on this special night. Getting back to a straight key brings back a lot of novice memories but it is also fun seeing new hams getting excited about straight cw.
The tarnished J-38 I used as a novice in 1960 is long gone but the chrome plated Speed-X from a recent ham swap meet is a pretty good second choice. Speed-X replacement parts are available on the web so it is almost like having a new key.
I'm looking forward to New Years Eve 2005 and will practice up during the year on FISTS frequencies. Thanks to ND6T, W6STU, K9PET & WB6KSD for the SKN QSOs. 73, Joe
I've touched base on SKN through the years and never really commented.
There's nothing like SKN, nothing as good as SKN. The most interesting
QSO had to be with Mike, AE4R in Virginia. He was using vintage gear, a
Johnson Viking Ranger (circa1956) & a Hallicrafters SX-101A (circa 1959).
I'm not a vintage enthusiast and it was heart warming experience to hear the old gear on
the air. Mike is from a town right near where I live here in Texas. He knew well
the area in which I live. I expect we may even have an eyeball QSO
on his next trip to Texas. Should be great & no doubt SKN is great.
I just wish I had more time to participate than the handful of Q's
that I did make. 73 everyone & CU next SKN.
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