02/04/2005 | NI9Y I dusted off my J-47 key which I used as KN9EUV in 1955. I made nine contacts with that old straight key. The J-47 was given to me by my elmer, W9JOZ now SK. The very first contact was a local station on 3.697 KHz. The most interesting contact was with WA3JJT on 7.055 KHz. He was using a Viking Adventurer tranmitter and SB-301 receiver. I really enjoyed working the old vintage rigs. My rig was a Heathkit HW-9 running five watts from a old cell phone battery. My antenna was a center fed zepp using 450 ohm tuned feeders.
The band conditions were exceptional and many signals were heard. some even chirping and a few wih back wave. Just like I remember CW sounding in the mid 50's. You used your ears and brain as a filter to pick out the stations you wanted to work. I am looking forward to SKN 2006 to celebrate 50 years on the air. 73's until then.
Dan, Ni9Y@arrl.net -- NI9Y