01/05/2013 | WB2AWQ Straight Key Night (a misnomer here as it starts at 4 PM local!) usually finds me making only a few contacts. This year using a 1916 Signal Electric 2KW Navy spark key, along with my trusty WW2 gear, a GO-9 transmitter and my ORIGINAL Novice BC-348Q receiver, my first QSO was with none other than Wes Hayward, W7ZOI. What a treat, working one of the masters of our hobby, a real gentleman and interesting conversationalist on the air. Wes was using a J-38. Second QSO was with Bill WA6NPC, who was working “rocking chair mobile” – his key mounted to his rocker. Last QSO in which I used a Viking Invader and SX-101A along with a WW2 J-37 training key, was with Jim W8FDV, using a Western Union key. Interesting, all of them, SKN is one event I always look forward to. And for me all this old stuff is my everyday gear.   Howie WB2AWQ/7 Reno NV -- WB2AWQ