01/04/2006 | K9VKY SKN 2006 has come to a close, but the smell of heated mold and mildew still lingers in the shack. This year's effort was done with a WW2 PRC-1 spy radio set. The transmitter, receiver, power supply, and compartments for the J-37 key, headphones, and spare tubes are all contained in a 1940s Samsonite suitcase. Hopes were that someone might be able to tell me who made this cleverly designed, self-contained station, but no such luck. (All identifying marks had been obliterated by the set's "liberator" long ago). The crystal controlled 6V6/807 ran 30 watts input (about 15 watts out) to a CF Zepp, and mustered 20 quality contacts.

Unlike years past, band conditions here were good on both 80 and 40 meters. Much in the spirit of SKN, everybody used some sort of vintage key, and the vast majority of stations worked were of the "glow-in-the-dark" variety. As always, the topic of vintage radio provided the basis for memorable rag chewing sessions--many exceeding an hour in length. Sadly, there was only one report of a note less than T9 (mine!) and no chirpy notes at all. Making up for the absence of raspy, modulated notes, however, was the skillfully rendered bug of Dave, W9AJR, working his magic (and a first time bug contact in SKN).

As the log entries are transcribed and the calendars advanced, thoughts are already turning to SKN 2007--can it come soon enough?!Dit dit. Brian K9VKY -- K9VKY