01/05/2010 | N2KZ Straight Key Night is a holy day of obligation for me in two respects: It is a time to show honor and respect to all the CW operators who established Morse as an international language. It also marks exactly ten years, to the day, that I enjoyed my very first QSO. During SKN 2000, I worked Harold W1EES (now SK) with my Heathkit HW-16 using my original call KC2FPM. What a wonderful day it was!

Ten years later, my HW-16 is still on the air using a Navy flameproof straight key. SKN 2010 brought ten QSOs, from nine states, including two QRPp contacts: Bob W1IS at 150 mw and Mike AA1TJ at 84 mw. I was also pleased to work James, K3ROI pounding brass at age 13! Every operator brought a distinct swing to their key as individual as their own voice. I enjoyed sharing lots of great stories. Chris, WD1W, summed it up nicely: I love this hobby! We chatted for over an hour discussing how we both spent our childhoods in Western Massachusetts and how we began listening to AM radio as kids. Wonderful rag chews were on the air everywhere! All hail CW!

Thank you, ARRL, for sponsoring this event. May the fire of CW burn for decades to come! Have a very Happy New Year and keep CWn! 73 de N2KZ dit dit. -- N2KZ