2004 Straight Key Night

KY4Z -- Jan 25, 2005 20:08 ET

SKN has been forever one of those "meaning-to-do-it" events. This year however, I've been planning for it: I located my key, had it wired and ready to go. Heck, I even practiced a bit to limber up the old glass arm!

I fired up my Heathkit HW-16 and HG-10B VFO for a handful of contacts on 80 meters. While I didn't break any records, that's what makes SKN unique -- it's the ragchewing that helps make SKN special!

Between contacts, I did a lot of eavesdropping on other QSOs, and had a wonderful time. Haven't heard the CW subbands this active for quite some time -- and hearing all the vintage stations made it that much sweeter.

I really enjoyed listening to some really great fists, too. It was a really magical night! -- KY4Z

K7FD -- Jan 3, 2005 09:41 ET

Came down w/ a bad head cold vs. good head copy this year. Ugh. Made 3 qso's and went back to bed. 73, John K7FD -- K7FD

N1CCF -- Jan 2, 2005 15:50 ET

SKN I only worked one contact during the contest. But it was the one that was important to me. It was the contact I made with WA1RKS, my father. He had told me over the past year how he would like to get in a CW QSO with me on SKN. I could tell this was very important to him, so I told him I would do it. I was very nervous and all being my first ever CW QSO on the air. But I muttled through and did OK. I was glad I could keep that promise.

73 DE -- N1CCF

K3QS -- Jan 2, 2005 14:02 ET

The Drake station

I had a great time. In spite of not having used a straight key for 25 years or so, it was lots of fun. It was also very nice to hear so much activity. 40 was actually so crowded, I switched to 80 for more elbow room. I could not operate as much as I wanted due to family get-togethers, but still managed 10 very enjoyable QSOs.

Used the vintage gear too.

73, Doug -- K3QS

AA1HO -- Jan 2, 2005 08:17 ET

Every year that I participate in SKN is a very rewarding experiance and this year was no exception. I made 7 QSo's and enjoyed each one of them! The topics of discussion ranged from the normal ham gear and WX report to what kind of New Years Eve dinners we all had...Turkey..Lobster! Of the differant types of Straight Keys that I worked, the best station was Ted, K8AQM with his Johnson Speed X Key. He was armchair copy with his smooth sending. I can't wait till next year! 73 all, Art -- AA1HO

XE2ML -- Jan 2, 2005 00:18 ET

XE2ML keys used in SKN 2005

Was my first SKN operation, was so nice contact fists friends. Thanks so much XE2UA Ramon, WQ5J/M Harold, K7SVV John and AG4UA Len for nice chat. -- XE2ML

K1NUN -- Jan 1, 2005 22:10 ET

My first SKN and it won't be my last. Worked only two stations: W1TS and KB3HBD during the last hour of the event. Using my cheap generic hand key with boatanchor (1959) Gonset G-76 AM/CW 100W transceiver, these two noble Hams followed my drift - literally - for two nice QSOs. While working W1TS, I noticed the plate current on the meter and some smoke, both rising. Quickly reduced power to about 5W and finished the QSO and went QRT. We gotta do this more than once per year! 73, ERIC -- K1NUN

K0AZ -- Jan 1, 2005 17:00 ET

Another Great SKN and I bet the count of stations on the air is going to be up from previous years. As usual a fun laid back time and a lot of memories pass by using the vintage gear. Preperation was as much fun as operating but I will keep the SKN station on the air after SKN is passed. Below is an explaination of my station and photo attachment. Thanks to all I had the pleasure of working. See you all next SKN with another vintage station on the air. 73

This is the K0AZ 2004 Straight Key Night station. The receiver on the right is a gorgeous BC-348P which was used during WWII in bombers like the B-17 in the European theater. The transmitter on the left is from the mid 50s and from World Radio Laboratories in Council Bluffs Iowa. It is a Globe Scout 65A and next to it is the 755 vfo which controls the transmit frequency. Vintage headphones, J-38 straight key from the war II era and an Astatic Crystal JT-30 microphone are on the desk in front. The upper shelf has the Speed X Johnson bug out of service for the time being and another set of vintage headphones. 1955 Allied Radio catalog, 1955 and 56 ARRL handbooks with a Heathkit AR-3 receiver and WWII vintage LS-3 speaker. Of course the ships clock is a real Chelsea 24 hour 8 day wind up shipboard time piece. It feels great being lost in the 50s if only for a short while. -- K0AZ

IT9VVM -- Dec 31, 2004 22:29 ET

Hi all this is my 1st SKN. Here in Sicily the propagation is really bad ... no sigs on 20m, only weak sigs (S1) on 40m. I hope it will be better with the sun. Happy new year to everyone! -- IT9VVM

K2JX -- Jan 3, 2005 14:26 ET

SKN is a great event bringing out great operators, some running thier vintage Amateur gear. I myself operated SKN 2004 with a J-38 key, a Johnson Viking II transmitter and a classic WW-2 rcvr the BC-348Q. That night I relive my Novice days on 80 meters xtal controlled, unfiltered rcvr. As a Novice I only had a Viking Adventurer, I could not afford a Viking II & VFO. Many newer Hams I worked asked me what a BC-348 is ? Many others replied that " I used to have one too", sorry I sold all my "old" gear ! It's amazing how many really fine straight key 'op's there are out there ! 73, cu next SKN ! -- K2JX

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