This is my first SKN from anywhere but NJ. As usual, my participation was a little limited, but rewarding. Four SKN contacts, one of which was DX (5100 miles, on 40M, at 8AM in full daylight), with a dipole mounted only 7 ft off the ground. My keys of choice this year were a 1916 Signal Electric Navy spark key, and a Brelco military flameproof key. Rigs used were a WW2 setup of a GO-9 (1940) aircraft transmitter, and a BC-348Q (1943) receiver, and a more modern setup of a Johnson Invader (1961?)  transmitter, and a Hallicrafters SX-101A (1960) receiver. The WW2 BC-348 is, incidentally, my original Novice receiver, bought by my dad just after WW2, and still playing.

SKN has evolved into more than just straight-key operation, and it's a joy to hear so many ops bring out the radios of yesteryear as well, making SKN a truly history-oriented event. Unlike most others, though, I use the old stuff all the time, day in and day out. There is only one solid state rig in my shack, a Kenwood TS-440S, which has seen better days, and is not up to the rigors the old stuff can handle. The GO-9 transmitter, with either the BC-348Q or a pre-WW2 HRO which saw military service is my preferred setup.

Three of the four QSO's involved older rigs on the other ends: W6JHQ used a Heath DX-35, WA6BXV ran a DX-40, and WA7WBY held forth with a WW2 ARC-5 transmitter. These same three ops the same military key, the famed J-38. Will PSK, Clover, Pactor, etc., ever enjoy anything like the enduring fondness for old radios enhanced by full manual CW? I doubt it.

SKN forever. 73, Howie WB2AWQ/7, Reno NV