2009 ARRL Straight Key Night
01/07/2009 |
N8KC
Straight Key Night! I havent missed one yet since passing the old Novice Exam (19 years now!). God, how I hated CW then I was really struggling with trying to improve my speed enough to have even a slim chance at the General 13 wpm exam, but I figured the only way I was ever gonna get there was to get on the air and bang away on my key. The key, a Nye-Viking Master, was an unexpected gift from my son (13 at the time), who knew how much I enjoyed Ham Radio and was studying for his own license. Since then it is the only straight key in my small collection and still the key I use every SKN. The rigs changed a few times, but not the key!
This year, early on New Years Eve, I fired up my trusty Kenwood TS 450SAT and dusted off that old Nye-Viking key a little early and tried to work out some of the rust in my fist with a few pre-SKN QSOs. I have to admit Ive been lax about keeping up my SK fist over the last couple of years. I havent been practicing much except on paddles lately and, to tell the truth, havent been terribly active on the bands.
The XYL & I had a New Years Eve party to attend which meant all my SKN operating would take place after about 0600Z. Once I began operating though, it was one memorable QSO after another, almost all running to 30 minutes, in the spirit of SKN, 11 in all. A couple were QRP, several were running unique keys, and many were running older, if not antique, rigs.
The most interesting station set-up I came across was run by Steve (N0TU) with an old J-5A Signal Corp key, Johnson-Viking Adventurer, and Drake 2B receiver (you can see a video of his station on his QRZ listing). By far the most interesting QSO and best Fist of the night was Harvey (W4TG), whos been pounding brass for 77 years. Hes a Pearl Harbor Veteran and long time Navy Radio Op, serving aboard the 1918 Destroyer USS Schley in Pearl as the bombs started falling and later at Midway Island. At 93, Harvey still has a solid fist and is quite a rag-chewer. Ill be looking for him again next year!
To all of you I worked, Id just like to say thanks for another great SKN!! Hope to catch you all on the bands again soon. 73 Ken N8KC -- N8KC
This year, early on New Years Eve, I fired up my trusty Kenwood TS 450SAT and dusted off that old Nye-Viking key a little early and tried to work out some of the rust in my fist with a few pre-SKN QSOs. I have to admit Ive been lax about keeping up my SK fist over the last couple of years. I havent been practicing much except on paddles lately and, to tell the truth, havent been terribly active on the bands.
The XYL & I had a New Years Eve party to attend which meant all my SKN operating would take place after about 0600Z. Once I began operating though, it was one memorable QSO after another, almost all running to 30 minutes, in the spirit of SKN, 11 in all. A couple were QRP, several were running unique keys, and many were running older, if not antique, rigs.
The most interesting station set-up I came across was run by Steve (N0TU) with an old J-5A Signal Corp key, Johnson-Viking Adventurer, and Drake 2B receiver (you can see a video of his station on his QRZ listing). By far the most interesting QSO and best Fist of the night was Harvey (W4TG), whos been pounding brass for 77 years. Hes a Pearl Harbor Veteran and long time Navy Radio Op, serving aboard the 1918 Destroyer USS Schley in Pearl as the bombs started falling and later at Midway Island. At 93, Harvey still has a solid fist and is quite a rag-chewer. Ill be looking for him again next year!
To all of you I worked, Id just like to say thanks for another great SKN!! Hope to catch you all on the bands again soon. 73 Ken N8KC -- N8KC
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