The Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) is the fastest growing group of mechanical-key CW operators in the world. First organized in January 2006, our club has grown rapidly to include thousands of members from all corners of the globe.

Here's how it works:

• Membership is free.
• SKCC is open to any interested licensed radio amateur.
• SKCC numbers are issued for life. Once you get it, it's yours.
• Exchange SKCC numbers using a straight key, bug, or side swiper

To receive an SKCC number, click on the Request SKCC Number link at left. If you are helping someone who wants to join but doesn't use email, download a snail-mail application here.

What's New...

SKCC Debuts at Dayton!

If you're seeking help with your code skills, try out a new section of K3UK's sked page dedicated to SKCC Elmers and their "padawans." What's an Elmer, you ask? Click here for a summary.

Straight Key Sprint-Europe: Thursday, June 7, 2012, from 1900-2100 UTC

The next SKS-E starts in: 2012-6-7 19:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can find the current results here.

Weekend Sprintathon: Sunday, June 10, 2012, from 0000-2359 UTC

You can find a recap of the May WES scoring rules here.

The next WES starts in: 2012-6-10 00:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can find the May WES results here.

Straight Key Sprint - Wednesday, May 23, from 0000-0200 UTC

The next SKS starts in: 2012-5-23 00:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can finds the current results here.

Odds 'n' Ends

Looking For A Sked?

Many SKCC'ers have asked for a simple, convenient way to schedule QSOs  with other members -- without having to learn or install new software. So, Andy, K3UK, #1325, and Joe, N8FQ, put their creative heads together and developed a simple,web-based scheduling utility for SKCC members. This is a FUN and FRIENDLY place. New members and beginners are encouraged to join in the fun too! No commands to learn, no mickey-mousing around with new software. The system simply asks you to provide some basic info about yourself and, voil\E1, you get a list of all SKCC members looking for some cw fun! Can't get any easier than that! Nice job guys!  Go to the K3UK Sked Page link under Member Services at left.

SKCC Files & Downloads Section

Looking for SKCC related software? Download club related software free. Programs like W5ZR's SKCC Awards tracker. If you are a software author and have club or CW related programs to contribute, please contact the webmaster@skccgroup.com See the Files and downloads under Member services at left.

What's an SKCC Elmer?

We have all faced the daunting task of firing-up the radio for that first CW contact. Now you can take that shaky, uncertain hand and turn it into a confident, firm fist with the help of our group of SKCC Morse Code Elmers. Simply click on the Morse Elmers link in the navigation column at left, choose from the list of Elmers, send him or her an email requesting a sked, and before you know it you'll be enjoying the thrill of sending and receiving solid CW. Or you can visit the Elmer sked page and see who already is on the air. You'll find that page here. The SKCC Elmer Manager is Jeff K9JP.

Can You Spare a Key For a Good Cause?

Condsider supporting the Halfway House for Keys program, run by a group of hams led by Michael Aretsky, N6MQL, SKCC 5051. The program provides free or very-low-cost straight keys, bugs, and cootie keys to young, newly licensed amateur radio operators who have shown an interest in using CW. The goal of the group is to keep Morse code alive and working on the air.  All recipients are required to use their donated keys for at least one hour a week on the air, not just with a practice oscillator. They also are required to meet minimum guidelines to receive a key.

If you would like to donate a spare straight key, bug, or cootie key in any condition, or if you have keys' parts you would like to donate, Mike's group would be very grateful for your contribution. Keys and spare parts can go directly to Mike at:

N6MQL Halfway House for Keys Program
5543 Tierra Gardens Lane
Carmichael, CA  95608

If you have no keys to spare, cash works. You can donate directly though PayPal at halfwayhouse@pncengineering.com. All of the money collected pays for parts that have not been donated or for postage, which we pay if a recipient can't pay for it. NONE of the money is kept by the Halfway House members for personal use.

If you have any questions about the program, would like to donate a key or parts, or would like to be considered as a reciepient for key donation, please do not hesitate to email Mike at n6mql@arrl.net.

SKCC Shopping Mall

So now you've joined SKCC, you have your mechanical sending device, radios, antennae, and other station accessories. But do you have the SKCC "look"? Here are some gift ideas you might think about when gift-giving/receiving time arrives. Why not stop by some of the vendors who are providing SKCC-related gear and do a little virtual window shopping?

For an SKCC name badge, stop by the SignMan of Baton Rouge, purveyor of the SKCC badge shown at left. Drop the proprietor, Rick, an email if you're interested in pinning one on your pocket. His website is still being rebuilt (along with his home) after hurricane Gustav a couple of years ago. And the house has priority over the website. So he'll have to email you ordering instructions.

If embroidered hats are your thing, visit Asterid's Embroidery and Quilts for a look at some au courant SKCC chapeaus! If you've got hair, complement it with a like-colored hat. If you don't have hair, well, protect that dome! Finally, for items ranging from mugs and water bottles for hiking or biking, to, shall we say, unique garments, visit Cafe Press.