2004 ARRL Straight Key Night
01/19/2004 |
W1AW
I used the straight key from Hiram Percy Maxim's spark gap transmitter "Ole Betsy," the one that is on display in the lobby at W1AW.
Besides the historical significance of using this key, I certainly gained a new appreciation for the skill of the operators of ole. It's quite a key. It feels good in the fist, but at the same time, a handful to operate correctly. The stiff springs required in the spark days to ensure a clean break of the key contacts makes for a challenge to make the contact. The old adage is reversed, what goes down, must come up...and quickly. Needless to say, the fist got a little sloppy as the evening progressed...working against what felt like a car leaf spring and all.
Joe, NJ1Q (the W1AW Station Manager) once told me that he sometimes feels Hiram's presence in W1AW when he is working late at night. I won't go as far as to say I think the place is haunted...but...something happened during one of the SKN contacts that was a little weird! Right in the middle of an exchange, the side tone abruptly changed to a lower frequency, the output power dropped from 90 watts to 5 watts, and the SWR on the antenna went to infinity. In a panic I checked the frequency LED display...nothing changed. Sure enough, the panel meter kept reading 5 watts and infinity SWR. So I quickly ending the transmission and held my breath hoping the other station was still with me. Sure enough, everything seemed to be okay, the other operator continued our conversation without missing a beat. With some panic, I checked everything out...all seemed in order...so I tried again when it was my turn. Everything worked as expected, the side tone was back to 800 Hz, the power was back up to 90 watts, and the SWR was back to 1.5 to 1...and it stayed that way for the rest of the night. Hum, was it Hiram, just letting me know that it still was his station?!? Or better yet, Hiram had a reputation of being a real prankster...perhaps he was just playing a practical joke on me?!?
Finally, I had a QSO with someone operating an old Heathkit DX-100. The transmitter had just a hint of chirp. What a wonderful tone...reminiscent of the old days when you could tell individual operators not just by their fists, but also by the unique sounds of their transmitters. I am sure glad he put the old rig back on the air. --WA8SME -- WA8SME
Besides the historical significance of using this key, I certainly gained a new appreciation for the skill of the operators of ole. It's quite a key. It feels good in the fist, but at the same time, a handful to operate correctly. The stiff springs required in the spark days to ensure a clean break of the key contacts makes for a challenge to make the contact. The old adage is reversed, what goes down, must come up...and quickly. Needless to say, the fist got a little sloppy as the evening progressed...working against what felt like a car leaf spring and all.
Joe, NJ1Q (the W1AW Station Manager) once told me that he sometimes feels Hiram's presence in W1AW when he is working late at night. I won't go as far as to say I think the place is haunted...but...something happened during one of the SKN contacts that was a little weird! Right in the middle of an exchange, the side tone abruptly changed to a lower frequency, the output power dropped from 90 watts to 5 watts, and the SWR on the antenna went to infinity. In a panic I checked the frequency LED display...nothing changed. Sure enough, the panel meter kept reading 5 watts and infinity SWR. So I quickly ending the transmission and held my breath hoping the other station was still with me. Sure enough, everything seemed to be okay, the other operator continued our conversation without missing a beat. With some panic, I checked everything out...all seemed in order...so I tried again when it was my turn. Everything worked as expected, the side tone was back to 800 Hz, the power was back up to 90 watts, and the SWR was back to 1.5 to 1...and it stayed that way for the rest of the night. Hum, was it Hiram, just letting me know that it still was his station?!? Or better yet, Hiram had a reputation of being a real prankster...perhaps he was just playing a practical joke on me?!?
Finally, I had a QSO with someone operating an old Heathkit DX-100. The transmitter had just a hint of chirp. What a wonderful tone...reminiscent of the old days when you could tell individual operators not just by their fists, but also by the unique sounds of their transmitters. I am sure glad he put the old rig back on the air. --WA8SME -- WA8SME
Photo Gallery
Back
