01/05/2009 | W0AAA I've missed alot of SKN's over the years but I became hooked in 2005 after one very special QSO. You know the kind, where the stars align just right and something magical happens. It was my first SKN and I had made a few contacts and thought I would try one more CQ. I was promptly answered by Rich, W0TF in the neighboring state of ND where I was born and raised. We had much to chat about and after 30 minutes we both learned that we collected antique QSL cards. I mentioned that my dad's first callsign was W9EAP from 1932 and I had been looking for one of his cards for years. After awhile we signed off and I hit the hay. A few days later, the most unbelievable thing happened. I received a letter from Rich, explaining that he thought my dad's call sounded familar. He had gone back through his collection, found my dad's card and sent it to me! It confirmed a QSO from 70 years ago with another station in ND, W9PUP. This card is now framed and proudly displayed on my station wall. To return the favor, I sent Rich one of my antique QSL cards. It was from W9PUP, the station my dad had worked in that 1935 QSO.
I learned CW in 1952 at age 5 from my dad. His license had lapsed and he wanted to get it back but code was his biggest problem. He would come home after a hard day at work and I would come home after a tough half-day of kindergarten. We would meet in the living room and the code records would begin to play. He was my Elmer and I miss him greatly. He received his new call W0GFE and I became WA0AAD. This was my first SKN with my new callsign and I had 9 QSOs and operated for 3 hours and 15 minutes. I used a key I purchased on eBay a few years ago. Someone took a straight key and created one that can be used as a straight key or a cootie. The difference is that the cootie stroke is done vertically rather than horizontally like a regular sideswiper. It cuts the number of strokes in half. Anyway, another great evening of meeting some very interesting people and enjoying the beautiful language of Morse! -- W0AAA