01/11/2009 | K2JX SKN 2009 has come and gone...my favorite operating event comes and goes to fast ! This year I used a Viking Adventurer transmitter, Viking VFO-122 and received on a BC-348Q WW-2 vintage.. I spent many hours rebuilding the Adventurer tx just for SKN and it paid off, Murphy was not present this year like he was in 2008!

I used a WW-2 era J-38 key, one that I bought from an original WW-2 Army Signal Corps radio instructors son this past year. Of the three J-38 straight keys I own, this one is the best. Only made 5 or 6 QSO's this year through the heavy QRM and noise but I had a great time as always. Nice to rag chew with other Hams using vintage gear. The BC-348 receiver has poor selectivity but is stable as a rock after a 30 minute warm up, pretty impressive for a 63 year old receiver!

All in all, after each SKN I fully appreciate my modern gear and the advances made in communications during my 35+ year Ham career ! Listening to the 40 band during SKN on my Ten-Tec Omni 7 gave my ears a small break for a half hour or so during the event. It was hard to believe I was on the same band !

Looking forward to next year's SKN already !
Jack, K2JX -- K2JX