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About SKS
The SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS) was created as an opportunity for operators
with differing levels of experience and skill to participate in a casual contest.
It provides an opportunity for operators to advance their operating skills and
for SKCC members to collect numbers toward club awards.
The two-hour SKS occurs monthly on the fourth Wednesday starting at 0000 UTC.
You need to adjust for standard or daylight savings time and your time zone
offset to determine your local time for this event.
The goal of SKS is to work as many stations as possible during the sprint period
using a mechanical key approved by the rules of the Straight Key Century Club.
These include straight keys, sideswipers (Cooties) and bugs. Exceptions are
granted to those with physical disabilities that prevent the use of such keys.
Please be reminded that although it is a contest, the SKS is rather informal,
and has as its main objective to bring together operators with different skill
levels. Operating speed should be adjusted accordingly.
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SKS Rules and Scoring
Here are the general rules and scoring for SKS. They may be superceded by special
rules and scoring associated with a particular SKS event.
Eligibility:
You do not have to be an SKCC member to participate. All participants must use
a manual key (straight key, sideswiper or bug) unless granted an exception by
SKCC.
Suggested Frequencies:
The frequencies listed below are those most frequented by SKCC members and are
where you are likely to make contact. Look around. Just make sure you are
operating on a frequency allowed by your license class.
|
160 m, 1820 kHz
|
80 m, 3550 kHz
|
40 m, 7055 and 7114 kHz
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20 m, 14050 kHz
|
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15 m, 21050 kHz
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10 m, 28050 kHz
|
6 m, 50090 kHz
|
Restrictions:
The use of spotting networks (including sked pages) is NOT permitted. Bands other
than those specified above are NOT permitted.
Exchange:
The minimum exchange of data must include RST, S/P/C, name, and SKCC#. Please be
realistic with RST, don't just give 599 because you have to. If you do not get a
signal report you are obliged to ask for one. S/P/C refers to your USA state, or
Canadian province, or non-USA or non-Canada country. Do not use cut numbers for
either the RST or your SKCC#.
Here is an example: NT9K DE K2RFP HR 589 NY - DICK 2099T - KN
Scoring:
Score = (QSO points x S/P/C multiplier) + Bonus
QSO points = One point for each station worked per band.
S/P/C mult = One point for each S/P/C worked during the sprint.
Bonus points vary and are specific to the current sprint. In general bonus points
are awarded based on the number of SKCC Centurions worked, the number of SKCC
Tribunes worked, the number of bands on which you worked the club or special call
and, in some cases, a special bonus. Unless otherwise specified in the email
announcement to the SKCC Group about the sprint, the number of points per
Centurion is 5, per Tribune is 10, per number of bands for the club or special
call is 25, and additional special bonus is zero.
Submissions:
Logs are not required unless requested by the sprint manager. Scores are submitted
via the web submission page linked at the top of this page. Scores must be submitted
no later than the Friday following the event.
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Past and Current Results
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Acknowledgemets
SKS was initiated and managed by Kevin (K4VD) starting in 2006. Due to job
obligations Kevin had to give up managing the sprints after a few months.
Webmaster Bill (NT9K) took over the job and after a few months was helped out
by John (AI4RE) until John could no longer afford the time needed. Again Bill
took up the slack. As 2008 draws to a close, management of SKS will be taken
up by Dick (K2RFP). Randy (KB4QQJ) will help out in the changeover as needed.
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