01/09/2004 | K4REB This was my first time working SKN with my old straight key. I have been wanting to do it for the past two years, but would either forget it or something got in the way on SKN night. This time was no exception. I just had major dental surgery on the 29th of January and couldn"t talk very well yet. Thank God for Morse Code and straight key night. It helped to forget all my pain while I was working the 22 stations who had to endure the dit's & dah's from my straight key.
I think I might have been the first to call CQ SKN on 20 meters. I was ready when my grandfather clock struck 7pm and so was Gary AF4BI, who answered my call right away. I forgot about the pain and worked stations until almost midnight. I started back on January 1st at 10:20 a.m. working K4UK Stan Reas who is the QSL manager for FISTS CW Club. I Finished by working Wayne K1ERB from Dudley Ma. at 5:10 p.m. on 40 meters. Of the 22 stations I worked, 15 were members of the FISTS CW Club. Can't wait to do it again next year! -- K4REB