01/05/2006 | XE1NK After almost eleven years of being a ham I decided to participate in the SKN. Many years since I did not operate with a straight key about 4 years ago in the Telecommunication Eng. School, in Vigo, Spain (EA1RCT).

My operation was a mixture of "new and old technology" hi-hi. New because I used my Santa present: the Icom IC-7000 and old (and not so much) because I was using a 70s key which was bought to Ventura EA1GC by my father EA1AKA-XE1RIA circa 1981.

I was on the air some hours after our tradition of eating twelve grapes and first hour of the first 2006 afternoon. I worked 15 stations.

My vote of "bist fist" goes to W1IK/M; Bill was driving to home and operating in the first hours of 2006. Boy, I cannot drive correctly with my two hands, imagine if I must drive and send CW with a straight key!

"Most interesting QSO": KE6US; Eric was on the air with a complete Drake "2-line" and a Speed-X key. Wonderful sound on the air!

Really enjoyed the SKN from Mexico City, hope to participate in the SKN 2007 it would be nice if it could be with a boatanchor.

73 de Al, XE1NK - EA1DLD. -- XE1NK