01/04/2005 | W1DV/2 Except for the eight years I lived overseas (Philippines, Cambodia, and Central African Republic) as a missionary/pastor, I have not missed SKN for over 40 years. Enjoyed another great time this year. I got off to a rather slow start when the family gathering on New Years Eve ran longer than anticipated I could not find a tactful way to ask them all to go home but I got started at 4 am Saturday morning and ended up with a solid stream of quality QSOs on 160-80-40 (and even a couple on 20). No fancy key here it was an old navy key (I am a 27 year USN vet, silent service). The quality cw on the bands coming out of these old hand-keys is so much more enjoyable to copy than the sterile boring un-cadence rhythm heard generated with electronic keyers! And it was encouraging to work quite a mix of old-timers as well as relative newcomers. I am already looking forward to SKN 2006 glad I have 364 days to rest my wrist
Dave W1DV/2 -- W1DV/2