01/03/2007 | K5LXP Straight Key Night 2007 served as my celebration of 25 years as an amateur radio operator, using the same key I made my first contact with as a freshly-minted Novice. There was lots of activity on 40 and 80 late into the evening, and heard lots of straight keys and bugs. Even the snowy weather here in Albuquerque reminded me of my childhood Wisconsin home as a new ham, and it brought back lots of fond memories of being huddled in the shack with a warm rig (though my Icom isn't nearly as warm as a Hallicrafters, HI). Worked some old friends and new, and it was a great way to start out the new year. SKN and Field Day are my two favorite "non-contests" of the year.

Mark Brueggemann K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM
[SKCC 1171] -- K5LXP