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2007 SKN Results Article (Members Only) Rules ARRL Products: Contesting (More) RSGB Prefix Guide -- The complete guide to prefix identification and information. DXCC listings by prefix, award details, and more. 8th edition. 6 Metre Handbook -- The most up-to-date guide to exploring all the excitement on the "Magic Band." RSGB IOTA Directory -- Everything you need to know to enjoy collecting islands for the popular worldwide IOTA (Islands on the Air) award. Worked All States Pin -- You won the award...now show off your accomplishment! The ARRL DXCC Handbook -- Worldwide ham radio operating and the ARRL DXCC Award!

2007 Straight Key Night

WB8DLC -- Jan 3, 2007 19:12 ET

Heathkit Apache TX-1 with Hammarlund HQ-170A

Bunnell Straight Key Model ??

Another GREAT SKN! Thanks for all of the great QSOs.

This year I ran my beautiful Heathkit Apache alongside my Hammarlund HQ170A - a station that I would have dreamed about as a young Novice. I managed 18 FB SKN QSOs with my Bunnell straight key. I don't even know what model it is but we've been together many years now. I find the more that I use it, the better it seems to work. I was in-and-out of the Shack over the contest period. For the sake of domestic tranquility I don't go at it at 100% - besides, I don't think that my arm could take it.

I look forward to next year. I need to do a better job of promoting it locally as many don't seem to realize that operations continue all day New Years Day.

http://wb9dlc.com

Mike // FISTS 11145 // SKCC 1658 // -- WB9DLC

W8HYD -- Jan 3, 2007 19:09 ET

Worked 11 stations on SKN, 10 on 40 meters and 1 on 20. I had a ball. Lots of cw "music" this year and lots of great sounding fists.

Worked a couple of stations with Drake 4 line equioment and both were very strong. Stations worked from here in Raleigh included W4ARM, W8QGG, K5KW, WA5RES, W6LFB, KF4IHX, WA0VSW, WA4IIF, W5JBV, KB3ENU,all on 40 and N5BF on 20. All had excellent fists and interesting stories. Best fist probably Courtney, N5BF in LA who was having some trouble coping me but she was solid on the east coast. Probably had my beam aimed at Alberta.

All in all it was hard to pick out a super qso since everyone I had a chat with was friendly nad had a story to tell. After 50 plus years, I'm still having fun on cw, just sorry I didn't use a boat anchor this year.

Looking forward to next year. 73 to all and to all Happy New Year. -- W8HYD

WA4ONV -- Jan 3, 2007 18:59 ET

My J-38 bought in 1974 for 6 dollars at my first hamfest.

This is my first time operating SKN since first getting my license in 1974. It was lots of fun and my proficiency in CW was also improved tremendously. I belong to Fists CW club and my number is 10551. I worked 3 stations and carried on nice long QSO's. The stations I worked were K4IBZ, KG8VT and K2RFP. It's hard to tell who had the best fist since all the stations sounded great. Best of 73 to all and can't wait till next year to participate again. Please take a look at the key I used for this contest. I bought this key at my first Hamfest back in 1974. It's an old Military J-38. -- WA4ONV

KG4URF -- Jan 3, 2007 16:14 ET

This was my first SKN. I didn't work a lot of stations but had lots of fun. It was nice to hear so many stations, and yet everyone was very nice. Looking forward to next year! -- KG4URF

W1TPB -- Jan 3, 2007 16:04 ET

I always look forward to SKN. I am also a member of FISTS. My favorite straight key is the one in the photo. It is about 90 years old and belonged to a friend who was a chief radioman in WW1 & WW2. Another key I sometimes use is the J38 I bought when I was first licensed in 1951. Conditions were not very good this year but I did work 14 stations. QSB did shorten some QSOs. I was surprised to work NG7Z in Seattle. The longest QSO was with WA8JNM which lasted over 45 minutes. I hope SKN doesn't disappear with the new license requirements. 73, Ted N. Smith W1TPB -- W1TPB

KA0IQT -- Jan 3, 2007 15:54 ET

My SKCC straight key. For details see: http://www.mtechnologies.com/skcc/

SKN was a lot of fun. My new SKCC straight key (Serial #06) was one of the lucky ones that made it out of Morse Express in Denver before the blizzard hit.

I worked stations using a lot of interesting keys including one using a Cold War vintage, KGB key.

My best fist award goes to Jesse, NR4AW, who I discovered is only 16 and has been licensed for less than 2 years. I thought he was an OT based on his smooth fist.

I've included part of my "IQT's Shack Diary" below which outlines the start of SKN from my station.

December 31, 2006 2350 Z - Settled down in the shack and fired up the rig on 40. Spent a couple of minutes adjusting the straight key. While it has been a while since I've used a straight key, the new SKCC key seems to have a nice feel. (I spend most of my time using a paddle and keyer when I'm on the air.)

2355 Z - Tuning around the band. Noise levels have dropped considerably and there are a few QSOs but generally the band is quiet.

2359 Z - Several stations are tuning up across the band. Here is a nice solid signal, let's camp out here and wait for him to call CQ.

January 1, 2007 0000 Z - There is the CQ and it's a WB0 with a nice clean fist. All right, he's about ready to send K and listen for a reply. There's the K, time to call him.

0001 Z - What happened? Did someone spot the VU7 on this frequency? There must be 50 stations in a pile up calling. It can't be for the WB0, can it? Apparently it is. The entire band is wall to wall CW. Time to crank the filters down and start making some SKN QSOs.

73 de Jim KA0IQT FISTS #1241 SKCC #74 -- KA0IQT

WB4FSF -- Jan 3, 2007 15:17 ET

As usual I very much enjoyed the SKN event. I worked the following stations: K4IBZ, N5AF, AA4DW, W4TG, N2OFG, AF9J, W5JBV and W4IT.

All of the fellas had wonderful fists and interesting people. The most remarkable QSO was with W4TG who is 91 YEARS OLD!!

I have been a ham for 40 years now and still enjoy cw the very best. Thak you for a wonderful operating event.

73, Bonnie WB4FSF, SKCC 2504 and FISTS 2975. -- WB4FSF

WB8YYY -- Jan 3, 2007 12:54 ET

The warm glow of my old novice gear along with many nice QSO's made pounding brass pure enjoyment.

The 80m band especially was full of activity on early Sunday nite. Using my HW16/HG10 I had lots of fun working folk spanning from a single tube homebrew rig to a Valiant to modern DSP transceivers. Enjoyable conversation was had by pounding the brass, and between the raspy sidetone on my rig and some folks "vintage tones" and accented CW, it was like being transported to a different age. Still our original means of modulation is useful and enjoyable for communication, I won't wait until next Dec 31 to use it again while also enjoying other modes. I used the lower shelf gear plus sometimes the MFJ audio filter on the lower right. The HW16 is my second rig from my novice class days, and it was recently repaired by myself after "a small capacitor explosion and fire." -- WB8YYY

K6DBG -- Jan 3, 2007 12:31 ET

Only got to spend a couple of hours on the air; conditions on 40m were not great, but they were the best. Made a few QSOs and enjoyed listening to lots more in progress.

This was my first time on the air with a straight key - I've been practicing, but "live" is always different. Maybe next year I'll try with a bug!

73 de chris K6DBG -- K6DBG

AG4LS -- Jan 3, 2007 11:28 ET

SKN 2007 was great. Lots of activity on 40 Meters. My J-38 still works perfectly. Remember that every day is SKN at Straight Key Century Club. 73 de Carl AG4LS SKCC 918 -- AG4LS

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