K3Y, the Straight Key Century Club's annual January celebration, commemorates the club's founding following the American Radio Relay League's Straight Key Night in January 2006. A small group of participants wanted to extend the fun of SKN. The SKCC is the result.

For each of the first three years, the club's founders used K1Y, K2A, and K3Y as the celebration's special-event calls. But someone cleverly noticed that a 3 is nothing more than a backwards, curvaceous E. The club has used K3Y ever since.

The on-air party is open to members and non-members alike. It runs from 00:00 UTC Jan. 1 to 23:59 UTC Jan. 31. It's a great time to introduce others to the joys of hand-crafted Morse code using straight keys, bugs, and side swipers.

It's also a great time to make progress toward SKCC operating awards, in addition to the participation certificate you can earn for contacting K3Y stations. Any QSO with a K3Y station can be used toward club awards, as long as the award application reflects both stations' normal call signs.

Special QSL cards also will be available after the event ends to serve as a record of the K3Y stations you've contacted. And you could be the designer. A design contest is underway for the 2012 K3Y QSL card. The deadline for submitting an entry is Dec. 14, 2011. On Dec. 15, members will begin voting for their favorite design. The winner will earn a little artistic immortality when his or her entry heads to the printer. For information on the QSL design contest and a look at the entries so far, click on the K3Y QSL Design Contest link in the column at left.

If you really want an adrenaline rush, sign up to become a special-event station. Dip your toe into the water by operating for an hour or two. Or dive in head first and operate for longer blocks of time. Slow code speed? No sweat. You're still encouraged to serve. Fast or slow, you can get a taste of what it's like to be the most sought-after SKCC member in your call region.

This year, for the first time, DX stations will be joining stations from US call regions as special-event stations. DX operators will be coordinated based on IARU continents. Some DX special-event stations will be able to use their own special-event calls, such as PH6SKCC, if their licensing authorities allow it.  But all DX special-event stations will send CQ K3Y before giving their call.

Visit the K3Y Station Guide page for instructions on how to take part as a special-event station. You can read them on line as well as download them as an off-line reference.

If you've read through the K3Y operating guide and are ready to take the plunge, check the K3Y calendar for open time slots, then send an email to the K3Y coordinator for your call region. Once you get his or her confirmation, you're good to go.

You can use the links at left to contact the regional coordinators, as well as peruse the K3Y operators' guide, check the operators' calendar, or check the latests stats on the event.

We hope you enjoy the event!

                                                                73,

                                   The K3Y Coordinating Committee