01/12/2005 | K8UDH What a great event. The bands were filled with CW and QRM, just like they used to be.

The photo shows the homebrew 2 tube crystal controlled transmitter that I used for this year's Straight Key Night. It was built by my Dad (the former K8UDH) in the late 1950s or early 1960s from a design in the ARRL Handbook. I used it as a novice in the early 60s. The small homebrew receiver in the background will be also used for next year's SKN. I bult it in 1962 from the ARRL booklet "How To Become A Radio Amateur."

The only thing that could make Straight Key Night better is to have it more often. In addition to the New Year's Weekend, I would like to see SKN expanded to one weekend per quarter, or 4 times/year. Please consider adding some additional straight key weekends. Only one special weekend for the straight key, old homebrew and vintage equipment, and memories is not enough -- K8UDH