01/03/2010 | WA0VQY Straight Key Night has been a favorite event of mine for many years. The first time I participated in it was in the early 1980s. I've been enjoying it ever since, with the exception of a few years here and there when I was not at home to participate.

I made twenty-three contacts this year, all of them with my trusty Speed-X key. I learned the code on that same key as a boy in the 1960s. In fact, I made my first, ever ham QSO using that same Speed-X on September 30, 1968, on 40 meters in what was then the novice portion of the band at 7172 Khz. I still have the crystal. Time flies when you're having fun.

Heard lots of A-1 operators on 40 and 80 meters where I was during the event this year. My only regret is another year has passed without getting my Swan-350 back in operation. Maybe by this time next year I'll have it back up and running. 73s

Rob, WA0VQY Ames, IA -- WA0VQY