Soapbox
| AI4RE |
I
am still reeling from the holidays and working SKN and fully intended
NOT to work the sprint this month, but I was sitting at the radio
and computer waiting for a program to download, so thought I'd make
one contact.
Zowie! My 500 Hz filter wasn't narrow enough on 40m. Sounded like
a major contest. Or Straight Key Night from last week! I think SKN
really pumped up the interest in SKCC.
So I stuck it out for five QSOs. And what was really great was that
except for the obligatory QSO with Kevin K4VD, the other four were
new SKCC numbers to me and ones I haven't seen in the sprints before.
Three of them had newer SKCC numbers than I, and I welcomed them to
SKCC. I can't seem to get four new SKCC numbers in a normal week of
operating!
I also worked WV for the first time ever with Lloyd AB8KS.
I felt guilty for running my bug during SKN last week - it's my regular
key, so I wasn't handicapped by it as many SKN participants were -
so I plugged in the Bencher RJ-2 and went at it even though I hadn't
really touched it in months.
I think the number of participants in this sprint is going to be way
up (although my score will be much lower this time.) |
| WD5ABC |
I
wish I started sooner, I didn't start until 0123. I never budged off
7057 except for my first 2 QSOs and never had to call CQ more than
twice. I wasn't trying for speed, just taking it easy, it was fun!
My key must have bad contacts, I cleaned it 4 times during the sprint
and one time, while in QSO with K4SAF, I switched to the bug because
I was having so much trouble with the J-37. |
| N3EF |
All
contacts made on 40 and 80. Lots of activity and QRN. Lot's of fun,
getting late, gotta get up at 4:30 so I'm not always up for these
sprints but do enjoy them. |
| KJ7BS |
This
was my first SKS. I worked only 40m. |
| N4RAY |
had
a ball had a few who were not members and do not know if they count
but loved my first sprint N4RAY only made 16 member qsos and 2 non
members only was on air one hour and 45 minutes, |
| KC9GMN |
Had
a great time last night making my few contacts, Thanks to all
the stations I had contacts with, especially KJ7BS, Mark. who
really had to work to pull me out, Thanks. It's funny Mark,
just a few minutes after our contact I could hear you 57 here in Illinois. |
| K8KFJ |
Took
a quick listen on 40m and didn't hear much going on so I QSY'ed to
80m where I found some giant static crashes. I decided to work through
them until these old ears couldn't take it any more. HI I was using
my Nye Viking Master Key for the event. This is my very first SKCC
operating event and I was happy to give out my new number. My
thanks to all those who pulled me through all that QRN. I'm
ready to do it again but without the QRN, OK? SKS is loads of
fun. |
| KG4W |
Great
fun, started on 40 but couldn't get much going & qsy'ed to 80
after 4 qsos at 0119z. Made rest of my qsos on 80 after taking a quick
listen on 160 and not hearing any action. Had to explain what "sks"
is several times, but thats ok, may get some new skcc'ers. Guess TX,
NEB & CO were my long distance contacts. Had 1 qso with Canada
(VE1DS in NS) this sprint is loads of fun & 2 hours is a good
length for an old cogger. dit-dit |
| KC9HGW |
This
was my first SKCC sprint. I made a few contacts and had a good time.
Every night in January has been like SKN. Thanks, everyone. |
| W4FOA |
It
was great to hear all of the straight key activity. Tried 160
for a few minutes but couldn't raise anyone on 1820 kHz. |
| W6UT |
Another
enjoyable Sprint. Worked mostly 40. Did make two contacts on 80. Thought
I might get some on 20, but it was closed by 5 PM on West
Coast. Already looking forward to next month. |
| WU7R |
I've
decided I'm not much good at this, but I did have fun. I am looking
forward to better conditions. thanks for having it, and I look forward
to next month. |
| K4VD |
Picking
up KI4SLY/8 on 80 and 160 meters was a real treat. Only my third 160
meter QSO in 30 years. Thanks to Michael KC2EGL for dragging me down
there to try the band out.
I also worked K1Y/KH6, K1Y/2 and K1Y/4. Nice to hear the Special Event
stations participating in the Straight Key Sprint. Also, I picked
up a lot of newer members and first-timers to SKS. Welcome! Hope to
see you every month.
The bands sounded lively last night. A very satisfying experience.
In CW, if they are more than 100 Hz away they are not QRM, they are
your next QSO! Over time, I'll narrow that number down. Good IF filters
really come in handy for CW, especially when the bands are crowded. |
| KD2MX |
Made
a few qsos on 40m but condx weren't great. After a phone call interruption
I moved to 80m which was very noisy. It sounded like summer thunderstorms
in the distance. Made a few more Qs in between hunting the qrp foxes.
Thanks for the sprint. It's becoming a very nice event. |
| AG8A |
Lots
of fun and a great bunch of guys that redefine the meaning of patience. |
| K2SQS |
Quite
a trip down memory lane. First contest I remember (FD 1959)
I sent CW using same J38 as last night. What a blast.
SKCC looks like a lot of FUN. CW rules! |
| K1Y/3 KC2EGL
|
I
operated K1Y/3 for SKS.
A little disapointed with the conditions here in WPA. I started out
on 160 hearing very faint signals after I called CQ. I worked 3 stations,
all centurians and one was the club call KI4SLY. I thought I would
be able to make a few more contacts operating as K1Y/3. Maybe year
I will be able to get more contacts for our special event. That is
if the conditions improve. Hi-Hi!!
Even though I only had the 3 contacts I had a blast. The 2 hours flew
by as I tapped out CQ. I see my CW skills improving as I operate each
day. I will continue to keep K1Y/3 on the air for those who would
like to have it in the log. |
| AF2Z |
Wasted
time on 160, and trying to get KI4SLY. And sorry to whoever was trying
to call me there; it was a complete bust.
Also, no sign of KH6 here. Saint Marconi continues to frown upon me.
In spite of that I pursue my relentless plodding advance toward SKCC
Sprint domination!
Anyhow, seems like there were lots of new members out there this time,
so I got a few more in my log. |
| KF4JG |
Centurion
bonus was for KI4SLY/8.
Rig was ICOM 703 into EndFedZ up 20 ft.
Key was Kent-Two (see www.wsplc.com/acatalog/Special_Offers.html) |
| KA2KGP |
Hi
Gang...Another nice SKCC Sprint with 80 m. being my best band here
in WNY. Good to see 160m. added to the sprint, now I have to get up
an antenna for the top band. Rig: TenTec Argosy II at 5w. into 5 band
vert, straight key used of course. 73 to all. |
| N1RX |
Had
great fun in my first sprint. Worked 160, 80 and 40M. Looking forward
to next month. -Bruce. |
| KE5AQD |
Wow!
That was quite a blast. I'm still new to the straight key so I appreciate
all who were patient enough to parse out my call and exchange. I am
very please to have collected 13 new numbers during the sprint. I
will definitely be participating again next month and with some more
practice under my belt, will hopefully be a little faster and easier
to copy. Thanks everyone! |
| NN8B |
Conditions
here were not great with an S5 power line noise. Had to dig and ask
for fills a lot. I worked 80 meters the entire time. I took one break
and checked other bands but heard nothing. Had a great time. Sorry
to a few stations that I could just not pull out any info. Have a
new antenna ready to install so I hope next time will be better. |
| N5BO |
Acitivty
was great on 40M, I had to run at 200Hz at one point! Signals
were fairly good also, but I had static crashes during most of
the night that drive me nuts. 80M was also in pretty
good shape, but I was unable to produce the number of QSO's I made
on 40M. 20M was shutdown from the start, I tried for 15 minutes
with hopes of finding of few of the west coast stations, but had no
luck. No QSO's made on 160M, but kind of hard with no antenna
for the band! CU on the bands! |
| K1Y/KH6/KH6ZM |
Had
lots of fun operating from Hawaii. Look for me on again. |
| K1NV |
I
could only operate about 35 minutes of the activity due to getting
home quite late from work. However, it was fun to get on and
make 5 contacts using my old Vibroplex Champion, TS-940S (100
W) and 135 ft. dipole. A couple of the QSO's lasted over 10 minutes
each due to questions about SKCC. I look forward to the next
Sprint. |
| KA3CTQ |
Had
a good time and made more contacts this time around. Hope that I didn't
offend anyone with my bad sending or the problems with the homebrew
key. I got to get a new key by the next sprint. |
| N1VWD |
Icom
736 @ 100W, Windom @ 30ft, Bencher RJ-1 key |
| N2BE |
I
only had an hour for the contest, but it was an hour of fun. The highlight
was working "K1Y/KH6" with great signals at both ends. Operating
on just one band, 40 meters, was enough to keep me busy throughout;
nice participation. |
| AA7DX |
Sprint
was a blast ! Worked K1Y/KH6 Max in HI on 20 (at 5 watts) and 40 (at
1 watt) both – would like to have gotten him on 80 also. Also
Worked W6UT Dennis in CA on 40 with 1 watt and later on 80 with 5
watts. Not exactly an award-winning performance from Southern Nevada
this time around, but had several interruptions. Great fun !! Dick
– NV |
| VE1DS |
Got
to excited about working K1Y/KH6 on 40 meters and used up all my contest
time Hi... |
| K6FFY |
Conditions
here were poor and didn't have a lot of time. Only made one contact
(K1Y/KH6)who was booming in here. |
| AB8KS |
Had
qrm like SKN. High point was QSO with KI4SLY last 60 seconds.Even
got the old Thermo Key out. See You next time. |
| KC0RSX |
Ugh...
Was on business in Glencoe, MN this week. Finishd up a slinky antenna
Monday night in gthe motel room and tried it on the sprint Tuesday
(CST). Didn't take everything with me to find the resonant lengths,
so TX was not good--no QSOs.
I was able to hear some of the activity, though.
Maybe next month....
Best 73 to all, Len KC0RSX |
| N6WK |
Another
fun sprint but too many distractions kept me from working the whole
time. |
| W0CH |
First
SKS I've operated in. Enjoyed the relaxed pace and anticipate doing
many more. |
| N7EF |
I
made one SKS QSO on 40 meters, 100 watts. Got an important fone call,
had to bag contest. |
| KI4SLY/8/K8JD |
Have
to go back to check the rules, not sure if extra points would be given
for K1Y stations. Lots of fun catching a few more stations on 160M
this month! Would have made a few more QSOs but the club call takes
so long to send! |
