01/03/2007 | KA0IQT 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