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SKCC Straight Key Sprint (SKS) Homepage
This Month's Sprint
Past Sprints
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.
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This Month's Sprint
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.
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Past Sprints
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.
********************
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.
********************
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.
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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
|
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
Bonus points vary and are specific to the current sprint. In general bonus points
is the sum of bonus points earned for working Centurions, Tribunes, and the
designated special SKCC member for the sprint. In some cases, an addition special
bonus may also be granted. Unless otherwise specified, the following "Standard"
scoring will be used:
Total QSO points:
You earn one point for each unique station worked per band. Working the same station
on the same band does not earn another point but, working the same station on a
different band does earn a second point.
Total Multiplier Points:
You earn one point for each unique USA state, or Canadian province, or other non-USA,
non-Canada country worked during the sprint. Note that this is per sprint, not per
band. So, for example, once you work a station in NY, working a second in NY does not
increase your multiplier count.
Centurion Bonus Points:
The number of bonus points for working Centurions is 5 for each Centurion worked
during the sprint. Note that this per sprint, not per band. So, for example,
working the same Centurion on a second band does not give you an extra 5 points
since it is the same centurion.
Tribune Bonus Points:
Tribune bonus points work the same way as the Centurion bonus points except the
numerical value is 10 points per Tribune.
Designated Special SKCC Member Bonus Points:
You get 25 points for each band on which you make contact with the Designated
Special SKCC Member.
Extra Bonus Points:
Unless otherwise specified, the standard Extra 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. If you discover a mistake in your entry
after it has been submitted you can correct it by resubmitting the data, provided the
time window for submitting is still open. When resubmitting, you must re-enter
ALL of the data, not just the correction.
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Past and Current Results
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Acknowledgemets
SKS was initiated and managed by Kevin (K4VD) starting in 2006. Its purpose is
to provide an opportunity for operators with differing levels of experience and
skill to participate in a casual contest. It may help inexperienced operators
to gain the confidence to try their hand in many competitive contests available
to hams. It also provides an opportunity for operators to collect numbers toward
SKCC awards.
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 drew to a close, management of SKS was
be taken up by Dick (K2RFP). Randy (KB4QQJ) helped out in the early stages of
the changeover.
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