02/02/2007 | K6YVM Gary Elliott, WA6KCP, and Steve Hawes, WB6UZX, of the Red Oak Victory Amateur Radio Club operated SKN from the radio room of the SS Red Oak Victory using the original 1944 Federal Tel/Mackay radio equipment and the main antenna on the ship, a 130-foot long wire.

We had fun, but suffered from the wide bandwidth of the E.F. Scott HF receiver which made it impossible at times to separate stations. We also were crystal controlled on transmit.

Thanks to all who tried to work us; we could only hear some of you. We made a couple contacts on 20m before it closed; 40m was a real zoo (great to hear!) and we'll try it next time with the VFO (for an even more authentic 1940s sound). We made most of our contacts on 80 and that was wonderfully busy, too.

Next year we hope to operate in the morning hours as well.

Steve -- WB6UZX