01/03/2005 | WB2AWQ SKN has become far more than just a night for getting out the old J-38 or whatever, it is a night for showing off one's revered "toys", and for me this was particularly so. What made this SKN special was that I used my ORIGINAL - 43 years ago - Novice receiver, a BC-348Q which my Dad WA2UEJ (SK) had purchased right after WW2. This receiver, with which I spent many a Sunday night copying W1AW trying to learn CW, lay collecting dust for some 30 years until I resurrected it earlier this year. Coupled with an ARC-5 transmitter on 40M, and a Johnson Navigator on 80M, I made several very pleasant and enjoyable QSOs scattered throughout the First Day, some first timers, some old friends. A Speed-X hand key and a Brelco flameproof key did the keying chores flawlessly, and SKN met all my expectations. I don't know how other feel, but I felt there was significant activity this year - 40 and 80 meters were quite busy with SKN signals! CW is certainly alive and well! 73 and Happy New Year to all. Howie WB2AWQ -- WB2AWQ