01/28/2006 | K3PX Once again, I enjoyed Straight Key Night for the New Year - 2006. I made 30 enjoyable QSO's, all on 40 meters. I worked as far north as VE1DY, Nova Scotia, VE9CQ, New Brunswick, as far south as KP2HC, U.S. Virgin Islands and several western states. I had a nice chat with AA5JJ, Wayne in Muskogee, OK. He was using a vintage Heath DX-60 and a Speed-X key, same set-up as I started out with as a novice in 1960. I also worked N5DY, Jack in Stillwater, OK. He was originally from Long Island, NY not far from where I lived and started out in radio as a youngster. I could have easily made more than 30 QSO's but could not stay awake like when I was younger. I used a Nye Viking "Master Key" Model # 114-330-001 which I picked up, like new in the original box for $5.00 at a hamfest in Long Island. I used my Kenwood TS-570SG running 100 watts to a 40 meter double extended zepp, 178 feet long, center fed with 450 ohm ladder line via an MFJ-962D antenna tuner. The insulators were salvaged from the old historic RCA "Radio Central" radio station in Long Island. The antenna is at 40 feet, oriented North-South at an elevation of 1,600 ft. in the mountains of North East Pennsylvania. Most of the keys being used this year were the old J-38, J-37 and Speed-X. Also some old Navy keys, an old Edison key, etc. VE3RER, Dave, in Toronto was using a key made from a single button Apple mouse. Great idea! N2ED, Ed, was using a Mini-Key from Morse Express and running 5 watts QRP. Until next SKN, 73...........Bob, K3PX -- K3PX