Categories (CAT)                 * = Special SKCC member.                 1 = 1 watt or less.                 2 = Greater than 1 watt, up to 5 watts.                 3 = Greater than 5 watts, up to 100 watts.                 4 = Greater than 100 watts.

Date: February 8, 2009
Theme: A tribute to John - G0RDO / Junkbox Keys
Club call: G0RDO
Special SKCC member: John
This sprint is dedicated to John in recognition of his continued participation in SKCC events.
Sprint participants were asked to build a key from stuff found in their junkbox and try to go
on the air with it. Have a look at the photos submitted below the results.

Number of participants: 72

Results by Final Score

Rank	CAT	Call	Name	SKCC	QTH	QSO's	Mult	Bonus	Score
1	3	W9DLN	Dan	3635T	WI	127	43	360	5821
2	3	KØLUW	Russ	1702T	NE	119	37	375	4778
3	3	N7NW	Hal	5202	WA	89	35	380	3495
4	3	KC2KY	Neil	3245C	NY	80	37	470	3430
5	3	WA1AR	Alan	4079T	MA	93	32	335	3311
6	4	KL8DX	Phil	3800T	AK	90	32	330	3210
7	3	NE5DL	Dave	5081C	TX	59	29	255	1966
8	3	KA2BSK	Eric	3875T	NJ	48	26	275	1523
9	3	K8LJG	John	336T	MI	48	24	250	1402
10	3	W4KRN	Karen	4495T	VA	48	23	275	1379
11	3	K9ZMD/9	Gary	891C	WI	42	24	155	1163
12	3	W4HDM	Damon	3729T	GA	37	25	195	1120
13	3	K1PUB	Chas	4101T	MA	33	21	175	868
13	3	KC7KZ	Rod	4531C	ID	29	22	230	868
15	3	K9DTH	Ron	3698T	IL	30	23	160	850
16	2	N4LTA	Pat	5170	SC	28	20	275	835
17	3	GØRDO	John	2133C	England	36	18	140	788
18	3	NT9K	Bill	1926T	FL	28	19	235	767
19	3	KE5WIQ	Neil	4730T	TX	29	20	175	755
20	2	N2JNZ	George	2836T	NY	32	17	195	739
21	4	K4BAI	John	3280	GA	32	17	190	734
22	3	AF2Z	Drew	2082T	NJ	28	17	165	641
23	2	N1LU	Don	2252T	NH	28	17	145	621
24	3	W3RT	Red	3237T	PA	22	16	190	542
25	3	KB4QQJ	Randy	3508T	NC	24	14	150	486
26	3	LW3EX	Walt	3804T	Argentina	21	14	150	444
27	3	WL7WH	Bob	2940T	AK	24	13	130	442
28	3	WA1VIL	Greg	443C	MA	21	15	105	420
29	3	K4CNW	Jack	2961T	SC	19	16	95	399
30	3	VE3HNE	Walt	4893	On	17	12	155	359
31	3	W6UT	Dennis	2417T	CA	17	13	135	356
32	3	KI6BHB	Dave	4186C	CA	20	12	110	350
33	3	K6JF	Jim	4261T	CA	18	14	85	337
34	3	WA2JSG	Curt	3018C	NJ	18	12	120	336
35	3	W9CC	Larry	469T	IN	16	14	105	329
36	3	G4LMW	Rob	4454	Eng	17	11	115	302
37	3	W9TFC	John	1391T	WI	17	12	75	279
38	3	K5ENA	John	3045T	OK	15	12	80	260
39	3	KKØI	Jack	2370T	WI	15	13	55	250
40	3	W1EJ	Ed	1594C	CA	14	9	95	221
41	3	AD5WI	Mark	866T	AR	12	9	90	198
42	2	K2ZC	Dave	1945	NJ	13	6	95	173
42	3	KB7GL	Vic	3636	WA	12	9	65	173
44	3	IK2RMZ	Martin	5278	Italy	9	8	75	147
45	3	K2MEN	Sheldon	2926	NJ	9	9	50	131
46	3	KE7WDJ	Esed	4938	WA	12	7	45	129
46	3	WA4AN	Wayne	4283	TN	8	8	65	129
48	3	VE3CWU	Bob	5133	On	8	7	70	126
49	3	KL7GLL	Gene	1098T	VA	8	8	50	114
50	1	N9GGE	John	2886	IL	8	5	55	95
51	2	N9AKF	Bart	1625C	IN	7	6	50	92
51	3	KD5MMM	Phil	4209	TX	7	6	50	92
53	3	K8KFJ	Gary	2444	WV	6	6	45	81
54	4	KG4WNA	John	4984	KY	5	5	55	80
55	3	KC9KHG	Randy	3687T	IL	5	4	55	75
55	3	N8RVE	John	4811C	OH	6	5	45	75
57	2	KC2EGL	Michael	553T	PA	6	4	50	74
58	2	KQ1P	John	5068	ME	5	5	40	65
59	3	PA3CLQ	Jan	2765	Netherlands	3	2	55	61
60	2	KD5RSS	Butch	1910	OK	5	5	35	60
61	3	AA9KH	Jay	0219C	IL	5	5	30	55
62	3	K6FFY	Nick	1221T	WA	5	3	35	50
63	3	NV9X	Jim	1358	IL	3	3	30	39
64	3	KD5JHE	Jerry	1976	MS	4	4	20	36
65	3	K4UFT	Ted	4289	SC	3	2	25	31
66	2	AB8FJ	Ted	62C	OH	3	3	20	29
67	3	KA1SAW	Neal	2824	MA	2	2	20	24
68	3	NU4M	Greg	5264	GA	1	1	10	11
69	1	K9JP	Jeff	3008T	MI	1	1	0	1
69	3	K2PAY	Jerry	4304C	NY	1	1	0	1
71	3	AC9BP	John	5195	IN	0	0	0	0
71	3	K2RFP	Dick	2099T	NY	0	0	0	0

Results by Category and Final Score

Rank	CAT	Call	Name	SKCC	QTH	QSO's	Mult	Bonus	Score
1	1	N9GGE	John	2886	IL	8	5	55	95
2	1	K9JP	Jeff	3008T	MI	1	1	0	1
1	2	N4LTA	Pat	5170	SC	28	20	275	835
2	2	N2JNZ	George	2836T	NY	32	17	195	739
3	2	N1LU	Don	2252T	NH	28	17	145	621
4	2	K2ZC	Dave	1945	NJ	13	6	95	173
5	2	N9AKF	Bart	1625C	IN	7	6	50	92
6	2	KC2EGL	Michael	553T	PA	6	4	50	74
7	2	KQ1P	John	5068	ME	5	5	40	65
8	2	KD5RSS	Butch	1910	OK	5	5	35	60
9	2	AB8FJ	Ted	62C	OH	3	3	20	29
1	3	W9DLN	Dan	3635T	WI	127	43	360	5821
2	3	KØLUW	Russ	1702T	NE	119	37	375	4778
3	3	N7NW	Hal	5202	WA	89	35	380	3495
4	3	KC2KY	Neil	3245C	NY	80	37	470	3430
5	3	WA1AR	Alan	4079T	MA	93	32	335	3311
6	3	NE5DL	Dave	5081C	TX	59	29	255	1966
7	3	KA2BSK	Eric	3875T	NJ	48	26	275	1523
8	3	K8LJG	John	336T	MI	48	24	250	1402
9	3	W4KRN	Karen	4495T	VA	48	23	275	1379
10	3	K9ZMD/9	Gary	891C	WI	42	24	155	1163
11	3	W4HDM	Damon	3729T	GA	37	25	195	1120
12	3	K1PUB	Chas	4101T	MA	33	21	175	868
12	3	KC7KZ	Rod	4531C	ID	29	22	230	868
13	3	K9DTH	Ron	3698T	IL	30	23	160	850
14	3	GØRDO	John	2133C	England	36	18	140	788
15	3	NT9K	Bill	1926T	FL	28	19	235	767
16	3	KE5WIQ	Neil	4730T	TX	29	20	175	755
17	3	AF2Z	Drew	2082T	NJ	28	17	165	641
18	3	W3RT	Red	3237T	PA	22	16	190	542
19	3	KB4QQJ	Randy	3508T	NC	24	14	150	486
20	3	LW3EX	Walt	3804T	Argentina	21	14	150	444
21	3	WL7WH	Bob	2940T	AK	24	13	130	442
22	3	WA1VIL	Greg	443C	MA	21	15	105	420
23	3	K4CNW	Jack	2961T	SC	19	16	95	399
24	3	VE3HNE	Walt	4893	On	17	12	155	359
25	3	W6UT	Dennis	2417T	CA	17	13	135	356
26	3	KI6BHB	Dave	4186C	CA	20	12	110	350
27	3	K6JF	Jim	4261T	CA	18	14	85	337
28	3	WA2JSG	Curt	3018C	NJ	18	12	120	336
29	3	W9CC	Larry	469T	IN	16	14	105	329
30	3	G4LMW	Rob	4454	Eng	17	11	115	302
31	3	W9TFC	John	1391T	WI	17	12	75	279
32	3	K5ENA	John	3045T	OK	15	12	80	260
33	3	KKØI	Jack	2370T	WI	15	13	55	250
34	3	W1EJ	Ed	1594C	CA	14	9	95	221
35	3	AD5WI	Mark	866T	AR	12	9	90	198
36	3	KB7GL	Vic	3636	WA	12	9	65	173
37	3	IK2RMZ	Martin	5278	Italy	9	8	75	147
38	3	K2MEN	Sheldon	2926	NJ	9	9	50	131
39	3	KE7WDJ	Esed	4938	WA	12	7	45	129
39	3	WA4AN	Wayne	4283	TN	8	8	65	129
40	3	VE3CWU	Bob	5133	On	8	7	70	126
41	3	KL7GLL	Gene	1098T	VA	8	8	50	114
42	3	KD5MMM	Phil	4209	TX	7	6	50	92
43	3	K8KFJ	Gary	2444	WV	6	6	45	81
44	3	KC9KHG	Randy	3687T	IL	5	4	55	75
44	3	N8RVE	John	4811C	OH	6	5	45	75
45	3	PA3CLQ	Jan	2765	Netherlands	3	2	55	61
46	3	AA9KH	Jay	0219C	IL	5	5	30	55
47	3	K6FFY	Nick	1221T	WA	5	3	35	50
48	3	NV9X	Jim	1358	IL	3	3	30	39
49	3	KD5JHE	Jerry	1976	MS	4	4	20	36
50	3	K4UFT	Ted	4289	SC	3	2	25	31
51	3	KA1SAW	Neal	2824	MA	2	2	20	24
52	3	NU4M	Greg	5264	GA	1	1	10	11
53	3	K2PAY	Jerry	4304C	NY	1	1	0	1
54	3	AC9BP	John	5195	IN	0	0	0	0
54	3	K2RFP	Dick	2099T	NY	0	0	0	0
1	4	KL8DX	Phil	3800T	AK	90	32	330	3210
2	4	K4BAI	John	3280	GA	32	17	190	734
3	4	KG4WNA	John	4984	KY	5	5	55	80

Sprint Stats

Number of participants by state..

AK 2	AL 0	AR 1	AZ 0	CA 4	CO 0	CT 0	DE 0	FL 1	GA 3
HI 0	IA 0	ID 1	IL 5	IN 3	KS 0	KY 1	LA 0	MA 4	MD 0
ME 1	MI 2	MN 0	MO 0	MS 1	MT 0	NC 1	ND 0	NE 1	NH 1
NJ 5	NM 0	NV 0	NY 4	OH 2	OK 2	OR 0	PA 2	RI 0	SC 3
SD 0	TX 3	TN 1	UT 0	VA 2	VT 0	WA 4	WI 4	WV 1	WY 0

Total USA participants: 65
Total non-USA participants: 7

Number of QSOs by state..

AK 114	AL 0	AR 12	AZ 0	CA 69	CO 0	CT 0	DE 0	FL 28	GA 70
HI 0	IA 0	ID 29	IL 51	IN 23	KS 0	KY 5	LA 0	MA 149	MD 0
ME 5	MI 49	MN 0	MO 0	MS 4	MT 0	NC 24	ND 0	NE 119	NH 28
NJ 116	NM 0	NV 0	NY 113	OH 9	OK 20	OR 0	PA 28	RI 0	SC 50
SD 0	TX 95	TN 8	UT 0	VA 56	VT 0	WA 118	WI 201	WV 6	WY 0

Total QSOs with one or more USA operators: 1599
Total QSOs with one or more non-USA operators: 111

Soapbox

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AD5WI Operated by: Mark

4 state QSO parties and the SKCC WES, was looking forward to a good weekend of contesting. Then a bad head cold hit, did very little contesting. Next month will be better.

73 to all, Mark AD5WI #866T

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KC2EGL Operated by: Michael

At long last I remembered when the WES was scheduled. Made some time for it Sunday afternoon(EST). What a blast. Running 5W into a wire antenna works just fine. Thanks to all who worked me. I hope I can remember next months WES.
Rig-Elecraft K2(QRP) Key-LTA SKCC Club Key # 61.
73
Mike
KC2EGL

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KC2KY Operated by: Neil

I had a great time. It was intetesting working Phil, KL8DX, through the Aurora. Walt, LW3EX, it was great to finally QSO with you. As always, IU cna't wait till the next WES!

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K8LJG Operated by: John

Alway's fun in these event's !

K8LJG

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W4KRN Operated by: Karen

The beautiful weather kept me from spending more time in the contest. Thanks to all I worked, it was good fun. I heard G0RDO on 80m, but he eluded me!

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KA2BSK Operated by: Eric

Great sprint. Put in quite a few hours. Conditions were not the best on a few bands, but that never stops us from having fun.

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N9GGE Operated by: John

Thought I would try a little QRPp before the QRN season started so I dug my junkbox radio out, a MFJ Cub turned down to about 900mw. Only operated a couple hours but the 8s and 9s I worked were pretty strong so contacts were somewhat easy.

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K8KFJ Operated by: Gary

Too much going on here at the home QTH to put in too much of an effort. I did however wanted to make some Qs in order to give out a WV SPC to those that needed it and to show my participation (however meager it was). Again, I wish to thank those who work hard to see that this outstanding Sprint for us to play in. 73 de Gary/K8KFJ/#2444

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W6UT Operated by: Dennis

Didn't get to spend much time. Maybe I can spend more time next month.

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W9CC Operated by: Larry

I always enjoy using my SKCC straight key.

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WA1AR Operated by: Alan

Lots of fun. The bands were in better shape than they have been. Got to work the west coast on 20M, almost a pipeline for a while. Heard a lot of new call. Some good runs on 40M and 80M. Almost no dead time. Now my two bug fingers have a callus.

73
Alan

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KE5WIQ Operated by: Neil

WES: it started off so slow, with few CQ'ers, and few folks answering mine - I had to wonder if we were setting a negative trend? Nah, it was just TX' time in the barrel. I used to wonder why everyone complained about conditions; now I know! It turned out to be a great WES the following day.

My Junque Box Key: The "Sid Swipper" is a compass attached to a rollerblade wheel suspended by an ABEC-7 bearing supported on threaded stock. Springs give each side equal tension. It feels great and is adjustable by the center dial, but I need to improve some of the electrical characteristics that affect the "dits." I bet it may be as simple as removing the pencil lead...

Inspiration: NT9K, Bill's beautiful keys!

Jacques Clouseau's "Sid Swipper"

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K4BAI Operated by: John

FT1000MP, Alpha 78, 1 KW, zepp, dipole, inverted vee, Vibroplex Deluxe Hand Key. Thanks for the QSOs. 73, John, K4BAI.

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KØLUW Operated by: Russ

I refurbed the junkbox bug that I built a couple of years ago with some improvements that were needed for smoother operation. A new smaller battery to speed it up a little and stiffed the main spring on the operator end. Used it for the first 45 contacts Saturday night then switched to my homebrew bug for the rest of the sprint. Turnout seemed low especially during the day Sunday. Always a lot of fun.

Junkbox Bug

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K9JP Operated by: Jeff

I had just sent out a new SKCC membership number, turned the radio on and heard Dick, K1QF
calling. Called him, and told him his new SKCC number during the WES QSO! How about THAT!
73, Jeff - K9JP SKCC #3008T SDR RXTX used at 400mW today!

Last Minute Key, Brass shim stock, paper clip, and heat shrink tubing.

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W3RT Operated by: Red

Glad to operate the little bit that I could. Had a bunch of chores to complete, and only operated when I could! Glad to get G0RDO on two bands; was able to get Phil in AK, and did work a lot of stations I haven't worked until today. Thanks to all that were able to complete our QSO!
Station was: Knwd TS-940S at 85 watts out; Navy Flameproof Key; DX Sloper at 40 feet, and C3SS at 45 ft.

73 all. Red, W3RT in PA, SKCC #3237T

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WA2JSG Operated by: Curt

75 watts to an elevated Butternut HF9V from my old TS440SAT.
Very enjoyable WES. I look forward to the next one.


TS440SAT and Vibroplex dual key

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W4HDM Operated by: Damon

Had fun with this Sprint! Spent the day Saturday making the key
from parts left over from the last key build. It turned out nice but lacked the weight it neededto work as it should. I had to hold it with my free hand to keep it on the desk.

I had never used a "cootie" before and didn’t practice before the sprint. Ooops! Started out getting frustrated and turning the thing on its side
and used it as a straight key! After a few QSO's I got the rhythm down and had a blast with it.

Worked the Sprint from outside on the picnic table Sunday for a few hours
using the K2 @ 15 watts.

Conditions were not great but made a few contacts.

Bands worked 80m 40m 20m & 15m ---> Thanks for 15m @ 15 watts Walt! LW3EX

W4HDM Cootie Key - Looks better than it works!

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WA1VIL Operated by: Greg

Only got to operate Sunday afternoon but as always a gas! 80 meters was really hot for the last half hour. SKCC is making for some great ops- the ones I have worked any number of times keep getting better (hope they can say that about me) and the ones with "high" numbers keep adding great fists to the table. Everybody keep it up!

73 es cu next sprint!

Greg WA1VIL

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WL7WH Operated by: Bob

Once again it was great fun and condx. a little better. Even got 2 Ak stations this time. Thanks to all...Bob

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N9AKF Operated by: Bart

It seemed to me that all of the bands were marginal at best. I made 1 contact on 20m, and 3 each on 40m & 80m. I had lots of fun with my recently upgraded AT Sprint 3A and my HB straight key made from various door and lock keys. My thanks to all for making the extra effort to work my QRP station.

73,
Bart, N9AKF
1625C

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KE7WDJ Operated by: Esed

I wish I could spend more then couple hours and make some more contacts but I had to go to work. (It sucks when you have to work on Sunday!!!) I worked on 40m only and it was going good even there was lots of QRM from high power stations working NA SPRINT contest. Thank all of you for QSO's and special thanks for KE6RGB-Richard and KE5TSL-Jed for QSO's we had when 40m band was almost totally closed. See you at next SKS. 73 KE7WDJ, Eso (Esed)

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K4CNW Operated by: Jack

Only made a few QSO's but working Tom, KC9ECI, for the first time and being W2JEK's (#5279) first SKCC QSO made it a great WES for me.

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KL8DX Operated by: Phil

Another fun WES in the logbook. I worked only three contacts on 40 meters Saturday night before calling it a day. Spent most of the morning and afternoon chasing stations in MN in their QSO Party. I finally got back on at 1600z (20 meters) and started out by working several stations in Europe due to being spotted on the cluster and ironically, I missed out on John, G0RDO and a few others. Once the path over the pole fell off, it was only a short time later when the lower 48 signals started to be heard.

20 meters was very challenging with lots of QSB in some directions and other paths were easy copy. I always try to listen for the weaker stations and this made working those running QRP harder to catch. I think my preamp was in "hot" position for most of the contest.

Great to see so much activity even with marginal band conditions. No junkbox key here, only using my trusty Flameproof CJB20663A. With any luck, see ya's next month!



My key collection continues to grow. I need more radios to plug them into!

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K6JF Operated by: Jim

Only managed 3 contacts with WA Saturday night, but the bands (80/40) were full of CQ NA with most sigs S9+. Must be lots of amps out there. 20m today was pretty poor, some contacts were quite difficult to complete. Hope we have a couple spots for the March WES.

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K5ENA Operated by: John

Some QSB but worked stations on 80, 40, and 20M.
John, K5ENA

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KKØI Operated by: Jack

Well, weather was just too nice to spend much time on the radio. Managed to get a few contacts though...20 and 30 were in there too. Had a good time snagging a few. Thanks to all those out there participating. 73s to all.

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K9ZMD/9 Operated by: Gary

RTTY stations looking for elbow room, at least two other CW contests vying for space, and RFI from the neighbor's Plasma TV, all made for an interesting WES. This was an opportunity to road test my most recently-turned navy-style knob. Made from Lilac hardwood and scaled to J-47 proportions, it beats the stock J-37 "button" for style & appearance, and also proved very comfortable to use.

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VE3CWU Operated by: Bob

Not a bad effort for a guy who just got his ticket on December 16,08. Just started learning CW this January. Hear many many QSO's on the air over the last month but had too many butterflies to make that first contact for fear of messing up. This effort broke that barrier. Many thanks to the fine members of SKCC the who take the time to help newbies and "revitalized" hams. Now to start making QSO's and a bit of rag chewing! 73, Bob VE3CWU

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KB7GL Operated by: Vic

Too much sunny wx (yes, in Seattle!), so outside chores limited my time. Thanks for the QSOs & and I enjoyed making new acquaintances (& getting some more #s toward my "C"!); apologies to those that I couldn't pull out of the QRN. We need higher solar flux and I need a directional antenna -- my 4BTV at 20 ft is equally poor in all directions!

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AF2Z Operated by: Drew

Got about half my contacts Sat night on 80m; the rest on Sunday morning on 20m & 40m. Not much action on sunday; got tired of calling CQ, so the put rig on scan to hunt for the few that popped up from time to time. My setup: Elecraft K3 @ 12 watts, endfed wire antenna, Junker straightkey.

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K4UFT Operated by: Ted

Only got a little operating time in. 3 QSOs on 20 Meters. 1 in Texas (NE5DL, Dave) and 2 in Alaska (WL7WH, Bob, and KL8DX, Phil). The 2 Alaska contacts were kinda rough, but we made it anyhow. This is the second time I worked Phil on 20 Meters ... first time was in January when he was operating K3Y/KL7. 20 Meter Pipeline between SC and AK?

IC-706MKIIg @50W, Homebrew Vertical @10' made from 20M "Hamstick", ChiCom Army K5 key.

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NE5DL Operated by: Dave

Used a Camelback for the first time...not exactly your junkbox key. Did not use my "T" because of a dumb error I made reading the availability date...so next month.

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KB4QQJ Operated by: Randy

Well a grand ole time this was! Operated at 1 watt, for all but three 5 watt contacts. Special Thanks to Phil, KL8DX, for answering my 1 watt portable call. New personal best to Alaska SKCC. Had a great 37 minute /P to /P QRP ragchew with Milt, K4OSO and got a great video QSL of my contact with Pete, W5PEH! Bands were great, weather was great (70° sunny) and WES was great. Heard several new cooties out there this time. I think Damon, W4HDM, takes the cake on that one. Never used one before and off he went, sounded good too! Strongest signal was Bill NT9K at 40 over! Heard John G0RDO several times at 579 but I never made it. Hope to see more DX theme's in the future.
Thanks to All.

Randy KB4QQJ

What a Day!

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GØRDO Operated by: John

Great fun ! Conditions poor (where are those sun spots ?). Pity there were hardly any European stations around. Ashamed to say I didn't use a junk-box key, but a Marconi PS213A straght key.

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PA3CLQ Operated by: Jan

For the first time I'm a participant in WES, hope my (poor)log is ok.
I look forward to the next WES, thanks.
Jan PA3CLQ

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NT9K Operated by: Bill

I just love this theme! I built my key in less than 1 hour using no electricity. I started out by scrounging the kitchen drawers for just the right steak knife. I don't have very many to choose from and this one had just the right amount of flex. It took several attempts to hammer the steak knife in straight.

All the pieces of wood were scraps from my pile. I cut no wood for this key. For the adjuster posts, I drove a nail through both pieces and removed it, then hand tapped the adjuster screws. I used JB Weld to glue the adjuster posts down.

Back to the junkbox again. This time I was looking for some way to weigh the base down. I decided to use the cast iron slug from the base of a Jap Coffin Bug. I used shoe goo to glue that on. Again back to the junkbox. I had to find a way to wire it up. My binding posts are wooden. I found a patch cord I had with alligator clips on the ends. Perfect. I clipped one to the steak knife.

Still the adjusters had to be tied together and connected to the cord. Back to the junkbox again. This time I found some solid single strand wire and wrapped it around my adjuster screws from one side to the other. I then clipped the other alligator clip to the wire shorting the 2 adjusters. This worked!

The key worked ok, but was hard to get used to the handle. I fouled up a few times, but it was fun. I missed the last 3 hours after I got sick. I wasn't too happy about that. This sprint was a blast!
Until next time, 73 Bill NT9K..

Pass the A-1 please - 2009 Junkbox Sideswiper - Junkbox keys rule!

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KL7GLL Operated by: Gene

Only a short time to operate this month as we were taking our son back to college after a year off for cancer treatment. Really great 20m opening to Europe beginning abt 1230z, nice to welcome IK2RMZ, Martin, to SKCC and to wrk G4LMW, Rob, again. Called G0RDO many times, but couldn't get through to John for the bonus. Fun, as always.

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N1LU Operated by: Don

Great conditions here for QRP. Just about everyone I called came back with decent reports. Nice to see there is so much interest in CW and SKCC.

Mousetrapper Straight Key

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K2ZC Operated by: Dave

I operated on my Elecraft K2 running 5 watts into Elecraft T1 antenna tuner and Elecraft W1 power meter to a G5RV up 30 ft.. I don't know the make or model of my key. I bought it about 3 years ago from some online dealer for about $16. I was surprised with 2 contacts to the UK on 20m Sunday AM. I could only do intermittent operation because I was helping my daughter move to a new apartment. Late in the contest, I discovered I was awarded my C effective 2/2/09. Tnx to all who made the extra effort to pull my qrp signal out of the noise. Transmitting qrp is easy. Receiving it takes the real skill. 73's

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AC9BP Operated by: John

Just work this one to get my C an done it.App was submitted.
A Big thank you for all the help.
John 5195

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N2JNZ Operated by: George

Thanks to all who listen for QRP stations !!! Nice to work Russ , K0LUW and Karen , W4KRN and Dan , W9DLN on 2 bands !! And thanks to Phil , KL8DX for hanging in there for our Q !!! Using a Ten Tec Argosy 525D and the ZeroFive vertical on 20 , 40 and 80 meters. Key was the ol 1959 Blue Racer

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N7NW Operated by: Hal

I had a ball in my first WES. Built my junk box straight key from some aluminum and brass stock on hand along with some ceramic insulators and a knob. I used a couple of brass screws for contacts. No springs, the brass worked very well as its own spring, though was a little stiff. Its only 1 1/4 inches wide and about 6 inches long.


My Very Straight Key

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N4LTA Operated by: Pat

Had a great time. Went through the whole kitchen knife drawer trying to find that special key part. Steak knife was too springy.

Was embarrussed by WA8KOQ while testing my key. Thought I had the radio at zero watts and it was set at 0.1 watt and he came back to me! The key had a springy steak knife in it and it sounded like a Jew's Harp.


Craftsmanship

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KD5RSS Operated by: Butch

I wanted to try all qrp this round, and got a late start with lots of interruptions. I still enjoyed the challenge, and thought what a hoot to get AK with 5 watts. Thanks for a job well done.

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KQ1P Operated by: John

This was fun, QRP made the so-so conditions even more interesting. Thanks to those who copied me at S1 or 2.

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IK2RMZ Operated by: Martin

Hi,

I received my SKCC number on Saturday, and the very next day I was trying
my luck in this event. So I am indeed a baby member as the photograph
suggests. However, if you estimate my age based on this picture your guess
might be a little unprecise.
I am thankful that the zero sunspot number allowed me to have some fun with
the Junker key shown on that picture. The technique is to call cq with the left
hand and run the qso with the right hand :-)

73 from Lake Maggiore in Italy

SKCC youngster

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G4LMW Operated by: Rob

Enjoyed this one. Much better conditions to the East Coast and worked 4 Eu stations too.

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K1PUB Operated by: Chas

Still a bit burned out from operating K3Y/1. Had fun with what limited time I did operate, though.

See you next WES.

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Programmed by K2RFP.
Updated: June 27, 2009 2001 UTC
Sprint Manager: Dick - K2RFP