01/02/2008 | KB1LZH SKN 2008

SKN is a special event for me. It reminds me how lucky I am to be able to operate a radio station and contact so many fine people around the world.

I had a number of good ragchews this year, and I think it is remarkable at how good all the contacts were. Everyone had a "good fist" and it is difficult for me to pick one as the best. Choosing, almost at random, I would say that WB8OGK had about the best fist I heard all evening, but it was Oh, so close.

My most interesting ragchew was with W7JLC in Prescott, Az. There was staggering QSB, and I love those contacts where I'm putting all my energy into hearing signals fading into the noise. I kept hearing Jack tell me that it was 22 degrees F in Prescott. Now, I don't know too much about Arizona, but I don't think there can be many places where the temperature reaches 22 degrees F, so I'm pretty sure my ears were tricking me this time.

This year I was hoping to fire up my old EICO 720, but it is still in repair, so I settled on my ICOM. However, I did hook up a beautiful hand made key and I used it throughout the event. Here is a picture. The Key was made for me by my friend, WR1Y. Truly, I am blessed to have such friends and to be a part of this wonderful hobby.

Thanks ARRL for sponsoring this event. -- KB1LZH