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About SKS
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.
Please Note: Due to unfortunate circumstances, Tom will not be able to operate as K9SKC for this sprint. Gordon, N6WK, SKCC# 3T will be operating as K9SKC from Santa Ana, CA and filling in for Tom.
The June 24, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Tom (NW7US) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Tom will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint and will be operating from Stevensville, MT. His SKCC number is 4758.
Don't forget, as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint there will be a bonus of 25 points for each band you work the Special SKCC Member on. The general rules and standard scoring given below also apply.
The May 27, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Dave (KB3MOW) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Dave will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint and will be operating from Port Allegany, PA. His SKCC number is 4121T. His plan is to start on 20m and then move to 40 and 80 as conditions dictate. If possible, he will try to finish up with a short try on 160.
Don't forget, as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint there will be a bonus of 25 points for each band you work the Special SKCC Member on. The general rules and standard scoring given below also apply.
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The April 22, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Russ (KØLUW) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Russ will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint. He will be operating from Ohama, NE and his SKCC number is 1702T. His plan is to spend the first half hour on 20m, then an hour on 40m, and finish the last half hour on 80m. Band conditions, will of course, determine if and when he changes bands.
Don't forget, as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint there will be a bonus of 25 points for each band you work the Special SKCC Member on. The general rules and standard scoring given below also apply.
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The March 25, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Mark (AD5WI) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Mark will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint. He will be operating from Pea Ridge, AR and his SKCC number is 866T.
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The February 25, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Paul (NG7Z) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Paul will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint. He will be operating from Bothell, WA and his SKCC number is 802T. He will start out on 20m and operate there for a short time and then move to 40m for the balance of the sprint. 80m isn't really useable from his QTH during the time of the sprint so he will not be on that band.
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The January 28, 2009 SKCC straight key sprint (SKS) will feature Carl (KC4FLT) as the Special SKCC Member for the sprint. Carl will be using the club call K9SKC during the sprint. He will be operating from Daleville, AL and his SKCC number is 3625. He will operate mostly on 40m around 7114 since his antenna is best suited for that band. He will also try for some QSOs on 80m. As the Special SKCC Member for this sprint there will be a bonus of 25 points for each band you work him on.
The general rules and standard scoring given below also apply, however, since this sprint occurs during K3Y, you should be made aware of the following:
If you contact a K3Y station you should use the SKCC NUMBER of the K3Y operator to determine if is a duplicate and count it accordingly. So a QSO with K3Y/2 operated by K2ABC and later, one with K3Y/2 operated by K2XYZ are not duplicates and can both be counted. To encourage making contact with K3Y stations there will be a "special bonus" of 10 points for each countable K3Y contact. You will need to keep a tally for that and enter the total points on the submit form. The special bonus points for these contacts is on top of the points you would otherwise get for that contact.
If you are operating as K3Y during the sprint you can count those QSOs for the sprint as though you are using your own call. Use your own call on the submit form. Do NOT use K3Y.
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 | 20 m, 14050 kHz |
| 15 m, 21050 kHz | 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, QTH, 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. USA stations send your two character state code for QTH. Canadian stations send your two character province code. All other countries send your 3-alpha country code found here:
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/codes/country.htm
Here is an example: NT9K DE K2RFP HR 589 NY - DICK 2099T - BK
The use of cut numbers for RST and SKCC# is not recommended for the first pass of the data but may be used in a repeat.
Scoring:
Score = (Total QSO points x Total multiplier Points) + Total Bonus Points