01/02/2007 | W3CRR My grandmother, whose maiden name was Beth Bunnell, taught me Morse code when I was a little boy. She also gave me a dusty old Western Union telegrapher's key made in the factory owned by her great uncle Jesse. These events began my lifelong fascination with CW and my little collection of J.H. Bunnell keys. Strange, then, that this is the first time in my 40-year ham career that I've actually participated in Straight Key Night. It seems that something always intervened in past years -- dates, parties, military service, family obligations, job demands. This time, however, I was able to work in a few SKN contacts and what fun they were. All my SKN ragchews were thoroughly enjoyable but my two Heathkit-related ones were especially memorable. Up in Erie, Pennsylvania Kevin, KE3V, and his HW-9 kept me entertained and from the Cleveland area Gary, AF8A, and I reminisced about the old Heathkit store on Chagrin Boulevard in which I once worked. I also had very nice visits with Greg, N2AGI, and the man with the most rythmic callsign of the day, Tom, KG4KGY.

Next year I'd like to spend several hours on SKN activities, perhaps employing a different key from my Bunnell collection for each QSO. Now THAT would be fun! Thanks, Grandma.

73,
Craig -- W3CRR