2003 ARRL Straight Key Night
01/16/2003 |
K1YPP
My goal this year was to make the QSO with each station last as long as possible. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the operator on the other end. I'm not a contester, I really enjoy the QSO itself, quality, not quantity.
This operating event brings back fond memories of Novice Roundups over the years. The straight keys, the tired wrists, the vacuum tubes, it is a sheer delight!
Of the many wonderful contacts I enjoyed, WR3K (80M) was one of my favorites. His receiver was an old Hallicrafters Sky Buddy and the transmitter was a Heath DX-40. I had worked him a few days before when he was checking the gear out to see if it still worked. I was using an old Drake TR-7 (usually at QRP levels) and after listening to Bob, I was tempted to put my Sky Buddy and DX-40 on the air as well, but didn't. His fist sounded great and he carries on a fine QSO.
Another great QSO was WB0RHJ, (30M) Jay, in Sioux Falls, SD. He is a professor at the U of SD and convinced me that I will have to visit that area at some point. My other favorite pastime is Mountain Bikes and MTB racing and he certainly made riding out there sound like a lot of fun. He wanted me to be certain to look him up if I'm ever out there, I may just threaten to do that!
Several stations were using indoor antennas, a trend I have seen more of lately. Some of the signals are quite remarkable. KG6ZR, Len, in Bristow, VA has a remarkable signal on 80 meters. He was running 100 W and I was QRP and we carried on for twenty minutes with no difficulty.
I connected with Steve, AD4E in Tallahassee, FL on 40 meters and he was a wealth of information on living in Florida and antenna restrictions. We're considering a place down there at some point so he even emailed me afterwards to offer more help if needed. It was a very enjoyable three quarters of an hour on 40 CW.
This event is so much fun it would be great to have another one like it during the middle of the year, perhaps to celebrate the first day of summer, etc.
Thanks for an absolutely wonderful time!
Dennis, K1YPP MIQRP, QRP-L and Bicycle Mobile on two-meters -- K1YPP
This operating event brings back fond memories of Novice Roundups over the years. The straight keys, the tired wrists, the vacuum tubes, it is a sheer delight!
Of the many wonderful contacts I enjoyed, WR3K (80M) was one of my favorites. His receiver was an old Hallicrafters Sky Buddy and the transmitter was a Heath DX-40. I had worked him a few days before when he was checking the gear out to see if it still worked. I was using an old Drake TR-7 (usually at QRP levels) and after listening to Bob, I was tempted to put my Sky Buddy and DX-40 on the air as well, but didn't. His fist sounded great and he carries on a fine QSO.
Another great QSO was WB0RHJ, (30M) Jay, in Sioux Falls, SD. He is a professor at the U of SD and convinced me that I will have to visit that area at some point. My other favorite pastime is Mountain Bikes and MTB racing and he certainly made riding out there sound like a lot of fun. He wanted me to be certain to look him up if I'm ever out there, I may just threaten to do that!
Several stations were using indoor antennas, a trend I have seen more of lately. Some of the signals are quite remarkable. KG6ZR, Len, in Bristow, VA has a remarkable signal on 80 meters. He was running 100 W and I was QRP and we carried on for twenty minutes with no difficulty.
I connected with Steve, AD4E in Tallahassee, FL on 40 meters and he was a wealth of information on living in Florida and antenna restrictions. We're considering a place down there at some point so he even emailed me afterwards to offer more help if needed. It was a very enjoyable three quarters of an hour on 40 CW.
This event is so much fun it would be great to have another one like it during the middle of the year, perhaps to celebrate the first day of summer, etc.
Thanks for an absolutely wonderful time!
Dennis, K1YPP MIQRP, QRP-L and Bicycle Mobile on two-meters -- K1YPP
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