1) Make arragements with a regional coordinator to use the K3Y Special Event call.
2) Get on the air and have fun.
3) Submit your log to the regional coordinator after operating.
Arranging Air Time
The Special Event callsign may only be on the air from one station in a call
district at one time. Regional coordinators will maintain a schedule of operating
times to ensure that this is the case. If you wish to operate a K3Y Special Event
station you must make arragements with the coordinator for your region.
The regional coordinators have two email addresses that you can use to
contact them. One has a generic form like area-n@skccgroup.com, the other is
specific to their call sign as show in the graphic image below.
For example, email to area-2@skcc... or af2z@skcc... will go to Drew, the
area-2 coordinator. Please note, Alaska is area-10, and Hawaii is area-11.
THE AREA NUMBER IS THE NUMBER OF THE AREA FROM WHICH YOU WILL BE OPERATING, AND
MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THAT IN YOUR CALL SIGN AND YOUR HOME QTH.
On-Air Procedure
While you are operating with the SKCC Special Event callsign you must remain
within the privileges granted by your license. You must identify your primary
station callsign at least once per hour.
You must use a straight key, bug or other key acceptable to SKCC. No electronic
keyers are permitted unless granted an exception by SKCC.
This is not a contest. It is an anniversary event celebrating the beginnings of
SKCC. Taking time during a QSO to explain the event and the club to newcomers
is fine but keep in mind that others may be waiting to call you and will lose
interest quickly if put on hold too long.
You should operate within your skill level. If 5 WPM and frequent mistakes is
the best you can do, that's okay. You'll do better with practice and this is
a good opportunity for that. Seasoned operators help slower operators on the
other end gain experience and build confidence by operating at a reduced speed.
Try to stay on the air for the full time that you have reserved.
The suggested CQ format is: CQ CQ DE K3Y/n K3Y/n K where n = region number.
This is a suggestion. You can change your procedure based on current conditions.
If you have a pileup, often a simple TU to the last caller will net another call.
For the minimum exchange you should give: RST, Name, State and your SKCC number.
To comply with the FCC requirement of identifying your primary station call and
get the word out about SKCC you should send the following at least once during
an hour:
INFO ABT SKCC FOUND ON THE WEB. [AR] DE (your call, your SKCC number)
Logging Procedure
The K3Y Special Event is likely to result in a hundred or more station logs that
have to be merged to produce a master log from which QSL card labels can be
generated. The regional coordinators have a special merge program to handle that
but it requires station operators to follow very specific instructions for logging
and naming their log file. All of the details are covered in a separate "Station
Operator's Document" available for download from
this web site.
Station operators should send the log of their operating session to their regional
coordinator as soon as possible. Keep a backup copy of the log for the duration
of the event.
At the conclusion of the K3Y Special Event you can claim a QSL card listing the
contacts you have made with K3Y stations. Send an SASE and an International
Reply Coupon (IRC) or $1 for return of QSL.
Send to:
Dan Rhodes
P.O. Box 3092
Erie, PA 16508
As a courtesy to the K3Y station operator you can send one of your QSL cards
if you have never worked that operator before. Please note: Some operators
prefer direct QSLs, some use a buro, some accept eQSLs, some do not exchange
cards. Please check the QRZ.COM website for the home call of the station operator
as to the method for QSL.
If you are sending a QSL card please make it out to the home call of the station
operator followed by K3Y/n. For example, if K2ABC was operating K3Y/2 then the
card should be made out to K2ABC/K3Y/2.
If you have completed a sweep of all 10 K3Y call areas and it has been confirmed
by a log search for your call, you can create and download an award certificate
simply by entering the information below.
A personalized certificate in PDF format will be presented, which you may save
and print.
If you make an error, just go back in your browser and redo it until you are
satisfied with the layout.
As a way of saying thank you to all the members who operated as K3Y, you can
create and download a certificate of appreciation, simply by entering your name
and callsign below, then press the "Submit" button. A personalized certificate
in PDF format will be presented, which you may save and print.
If you make an error, just go back in your browser and redo it until you are
satisfied with the layout.