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.

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What's New...

SKCC Makes Second Appearance at Dayton

Scott McCamish, N3JJT, has led the effort to coordinate a SKCC booth at Dayton Hamvention 2013. The SKCC booth is in North Hall, space #254 - the same spot that the club had last year.

Ted, K8AQM, very kindly provided a few keys, a code practice oscillator, and a laptop with a logging program for member look up and sign in.

Scott reported that they had 155 members sign in over the weekend! Very good report! Over 40 different SPCs reported, to include a check in from a member from Turkey on Sunday morning!

The group had a great time in Dayton! If you have not been there, put it on your bucket list!

Click Here to view all the pictures provided by Scott.

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WA6CDE Joins the Ranks of SKCC On-Air Elmers

Please welcome G.M., SKCC 10523, as a new SKCC on-air Elmer. G.M. hails from Sacamento, CA, and teachs CW classes for local ham clubs and a local VA hospital. Check out G.M.'s CW bio on the club Elmer page. You'll find a link to it in the navigation column at left, under Member Services.

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SKCC's Monthly Operating Events

Straight Key Sprint-Europe: Thursday, June 6, 2013, from 1900-2100 UTC

The next SKS-E starts in: 2013-6-6 19:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can find the May results here.

Weekend Sprintathon: June 8, 1200 UTC to May 12, 2359 UTC

For May's theme and bonus scoring, see the WES page. You'll find a link to it in the navigation column at left under Activities..

The next WES starts in: 2013-6-8 12:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can find the April results here.

Straight Key Sprint - May 22, from 0000-0200 UTC

The next SKS starts in: 2013-5-22 00:00:00 GMT+00:00

You can find the April results here.

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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, presto, 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 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. 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. If you're interested in pinning one on your shirt pocket, you can order an SKCC badge here.

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.

                        Banner photos courtesy of Michael Miller, KA9DFI, and Pete Spotts, W1PNS.