01/05/2010 | K1NV My SKN station consisted of a Viking II transmitter at 120 watts output and a Hallicrafters SX-96 receiver. I had a goal of making at least ten quality SKN contacts before going QRT near midnight.

Using 80 and 40 meters, little activity was heard east of the Mississippi during my operating period. Almost all of my eleven contacts were with west coast stations with the exception of a Missouri station earlier in the evening.

About halfway through, a fuse blew in the Viking II and some quick troubleshooting revealed a shorted 5R4 rectifier. The repair was made and a few more QSO's resulted before I shut down just before midnight PST.

The last QSO was the best and I nominate W7OD in Washington for "best fist" heard here in Nevada. -- K1NV