01/07/2010 | NI9Y 2010 SKN was a memorable experience. My station consisted of a homebrew 6C4 crystal oscillator driving a 6AQ5 amplifier to 5 watts and a HT-18. The receiver was a SX-99 and the key was a MacElroy chrome top and black tear drop base. The backup receiver was a S-20R. My antenna was a CF Zepp and 80 meter inverted Vee. The 80 meter band was packed with signals to choose from. I made 16 SKN contacts of which one was a rare YL station. In my 55 years of ham radio I can only recall making a four or five YL/XYL contacts.
The band was so crowded it put the crystal filter in the SX-99 to the extreme test. I had to use the filter in my brain to pick out the signals I wanted to copy just like it was when I was a Novice in 1955.
Thanks to all the fine operators who participated making this the best SKN yet. Now let's see it it too early to start planning 2011 SKN?
Dan, Ni9Y
Mishawaka, IN.
ARRL Technical Specialist -- NI9Y