01/15/2010 | N1EP Preparing for SKN 2010 motivated me to practice my CW and since I have noticed my skills slowly starting to improve. CW is now my favorite mode, even though I am still quite slow and novice with the mode.
I used a Bencher Straight Key with my Kenwood TS-430S with 2 antennas: SteppIR Vertical and an 80M Extended Double Zepp.
The most interesting SKN QSO was with W1FMR in Salem, New Hampshire who was running only 70 milliwatts of power on a noisy band. Even when another strong station started calling CQ on top of us, I was still able to copy Jim because of the distinctive chirp/squeak sound of what I assume to be his Crystal controlled QRP rig.
I nominate N4XE as "Best Fist" as he was using a straight key made from a wood clothespin. I thought he was using a paddle. It sounded great!.
Stations N1EP worked for SKN 2010: N4XE, KKOI, WT2W, WI2X, K8JD, NS2X, KB3QJA, W3HBM, WX1M, N3WDZ, W1FMR, and WB1HBE.
Looking forward to SKN 2011, but will be having fun with my straight key every month operating SKCC.
73 de Phil N1EP in Milbridge, Maine. -- N1EP