2007 Straight Key Night

AD6FR -- Jan 5, 2008 22:49 ET

Bencher RJ-2

I worked K6XZ Jim in Dansville, CA. He said he hadn't been on CW for many years but he did a fine job, I hope SKN was his comeback to the first digital mode. Looking forward to SKN 2008 but in the meantime I'm using my keyer. -- AD6FR

W0TF -- Mar 14, 2007 09:42 ET

Rich Budd, W0TF, put his Central Electronics 200V transmitter and Collins 75A-4 receiver on the air with his J-47 straight key.

Straight Key Night 2006 was a blast! I worked only six stations (and six different states) but I used two different transmitters, two different receivers, two different transceivers and three different keys. Also all my QSO’s were a half hour to 45 minutes, so that made for good rag chews. I learned a lot about running separate transmitters and receivers on CW, plus I copied a lot of CW in the process, not just those stations that I worked. The main thing was the great spirit of amateur radio that I felt from each and every ham I worked.

My favorite QSO was with Bill, K5ECI, who got back in ham radio after 43 years, which reminded me of my January 2005, QST article about N9PMN (“The Log of W9PMN”) who got back to ham radio after 35 years. Last year on SKN I met K0AAA, Zed, and I mentioned my article. It turned out that I had a QSL card from his father, Andy, from 1935 in my antique QSL collection, and I later sent it to Zed. We have since had eyeballs and become friends.

Best fist I heard was AB8KS.

Stations worked: K5ECI N2HUC KA4JQZ, WA0YSL N6KIX AB8KS

I cannot wait for next year!

73, Rich -- W0TF

W1FP -- Mar 13, 2007 22:18 ET

Hi all! Used the Viking II and Nc-300 again this year. Only made a few Q's , but had some fun anyway. CU in 2008. 73, Bob W1FP -- W1FP

K6YVM -- Feb 2, 2007 23:39 ET

Federal Tel/Mackay Radio FT-106 Ship radio console at KYVM/K6YVM with Gary, WA6KCP, tuning the Scott HF receiver. The HF transmitter is above. In the center is the MF transmitter, and battery controls; to the right is the antenna switch, station clock, and emergency MF receiver (crystal set). The main MF receiver, and Auto Alarm units are just visible at the right.

The ship's key is to the right and is bolted to the paper shelf and permanently wired in. My personal key is shown in front. The Scott SLR-F receiver is above.

Gary Elliott, WA6KCP, and Steve Hawes, WB6UZX, of the Red Oak Victory Amateur Radio Club operated SKN from the radio room of the SS Red Oak Victory using the original 1944 Federal Tel/Mackay radio equipment and the main antenna on the ship, a 130-foot long wire.

We had fun, but suffered from the wide bandwidth of the E.F. Scott HF receiver which made it impossible at times to separate stations. We also were crystal controlled on transmit.

Thanks to all who tried to work us; we could only hear some of you. We made a couple contacts on 20m before it closed; 40m was a real zoo (great to hear!) and we'll try it next time with the VFO (for an even more authentic 1940s sound). We made most of our contacts on 80 and that was wonderfully busy, too.

Next year we hope to operate in the morning hours as well.

Steve -- WB6UZX

K6VRS -- Jan 31, 2007 18:57 ET

This was my first SKN that I participated in. I enjoyed it immensely. Signals that I heard were fantastic - - chirps, clix, and drifting. Man, that's real radio! The rig I was used was a Johnson Viking Ranger along with my Hallicrafters SX-101A. Antenna tuner was a Johnson Viking Matchbox loading up an end-fed 85' wire up only about 20 feet. I was using a Vibroplex "Original" bug. One QSO I had during SKN, the other operator stated on how surprised he was on how stable my Viking Ranger was. Comments were made to me such as: (Boy, thats a real classic station you're operating). Next year SKN for sure. For next year, I'm planning on using a National HRO-7 with a Harvey Wells Bandmaster TBS-50C and a Heathkit VF-1 VFO. It's about as much fun as Field Day!

Spencer -- K6VRS

NE7X -- Jan 29, 2007 14:44 ET

Heathkit Apache transmitter running 100 watts Heathkit Mohawk receiver Inverted V-dipole antenna up 40 ft at the apex Original 1935 brass model R-63 Morse key, manufactured by "Signal Electric Mfg Co." of Memoninee, Michigan. This key belonged to Tom's father, (W8MPY-SK) http://www.ne7x.com/web_pages/w8mpy.htm

Tom, NE7X, operated the 2007 SKN contest for the first six hours and made 27 total QSOs on 40 meter CW.

Summary = 27 contacts, 15 states

-- NE7X

W8GD -- Jan 29, 2007 14:43 ET

W0JX, chief op at W8GD. The old Valiant might chirp a bit but it gets out on 160 through 20.

My third SKN. Two Qso's in 2005, 38 in 2006, and 41 in 2007. It's hard to get the count up because everyone wants to rag chew! My vote for most intersting Qso was K1Y. Worked KY1/4 and KY1/6 during the contest. My vote for best fist was N6NAX. I also worked him last year. -- W0JX

N1ZS -- Jan 28, 2007 17:09 ET

General Jubal Early (CSA) rides again.

Had a great time es met a lot of good people. I used my German Junkers dbgm straight key. cu agn next yr g.w. 73 Dave S. -- N1ZS

WN9U -- Jan 28, 2007 16:52 ET

As always SKN was a blast! I was running one of my vintage stations: My TX was a Knight T-50 XTAL control @ 45 watts, the RCVR a Hallicrafters SX-100, the antenna an 80 meter triangular loop fed with 450 ohm ladder line to a 275 watt Johnson Matchbox. My straight key was a circa 1880 Lewis key made by Western Electric in Chicago. I QSOd four different stations on 40 meters during my limited time on the air: WB0SWO (Dennis), W0TUP (Nels), KA8VIT (Bill) and AA9DH (Bob). All of them had SUPERB SK fists! Gary -- WN9U

N1AW -- Jan 28, 2007 14:58 ET

N1AW homebrew QRP and "chrome monster" key.

I operate casually in many contests and events without submitting a log, but this seemed like a good year to be sure I was counted as one who appreciates c.w. During SKN 2007 I got on the air for a total of about 1.5 hours and chatted with four stations. The best QSO was with AB1BW. We had a 30+ minute chat. He has a nice fist and used good procedure. I have to give credit for the best op I encountered to KO4OP. Our QSO was short, only about 10 minutes, but he was able to copy my 329 signal solidly despite difficult conditions. QRP requires skill on both ends of a QSO.

All my contacts were on 80 meters with a QRP transceiver (direct conversion rx, 1 W tx). I first put this rig on the air 30 years ago, but like many homebrew projects it has been continually modified. The key in the picture is one of my favorites. I have had it for years and can't remember where it came from. Its body is a hunk of chrome plated steel and it stays still on any flat surface.

Al, N1AW, Amherst, MA

postscript 3/1: subsequent to my first post here, I learned that the key in the picture is probably a McElroy key. -- N1AW

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