01/05/2006 | KA4AXS This was my first SKN since I got back into the hobby last year. I was first licensed as a Novice in 1978 as a 15 year old but after many years flying in the USAF, I was off the air. The only keys I own and operate are straight keys so SKN was great. My interest in ham radio as a kid was sparked by CW. And, I learned the basics of ham radio and CW from a World Book Encyclopedia.

My most memorable QSO during SKN was while driving at night in the fog using a mini straight key. I made contact with W0OBF and had to pull off into a parking lot to complete the QSO because driving and copying CW can be difficult especially at night. I only made 9 contacts during SKN -- 5 as a mobile station and 4 at home. In the car I was running a 100 watts from a new Kenwood TS480SAT and a Hamstick. At home, I used my old gear I bought as a kid -- Kenwood TS520SE and a Heathkit SB-100 with a G5RV antenna at 30 feet.

My most memorable QSO with the vintage equipment was my last QSO with W5VEC. There were thunderstorms in the area and the static crashes kept the QSO short. I cranked the volume up really loud and copied his transmission by the vibrations in the headset. In order to send CW with the old radio, I had to key the mic and then switch to CW and start sending CW with my Bencher straight key. Improvising was the key on SKN.

I hope SKN helps keep CW alive for the future. It sure motivates me to get better at CW especially Mobile CW.

73,
Ned - KA4AXS -- KA4AXS