Re: SKN

[N2EY]

Yes, another SKN will be upon us soon. While they've taken to allowing
bugs as "straight keys", that makes me rather sad. Here's why:

When I became a ham back in 1967, bugs and bug users were all over the place.
Electronic keyers were still fairly new gadgets even though a few had been
described as far back as the 1940s. The problem was that a bug cost only a
little
more than a keyer paddle, while a keyer with paddles cost more than a bug.
And
a bug could key any rig, while most keyers had all kinds of limitations on
current and voltage.

But over time, keyers became the defacto standard and bugs became almost
museum pieces. Now it has reached the point that they're being included in SKN.

I remember a time when I didn't have to explain what a bug was, what it did
or how to use one, to any licensed ham. Now I find many hams have never seen
one in use before they see mine.

I used a straight key for the first 7 years I was a ham - every night was
Straight Key Night!

Then I got a bug for Christmas 1974 and have used both ever since.

Maybe the activity should be two nights, or the period split, or some kind of
categories.

--

One thing to do: Be sure to send in a report/log or something to ARRL. A
detailed log with callsigns and votes for "most interesting QSO" and "best fist"
is great, but even a quick note or email saying you were active is a good idea
because it shows
support for the activity and support for the mode.

73 de Jim, N2EY
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[W2AGN]

[hidden email] wrote:
> Yes, another SKN will be upon us soon. While they've taken to allowing
> bugs as "straight keys", that makes me rather sad. Here's why:
>
>
I agree 100%. Straight Key Night shoukld be for straight keys. I once told Ed
Hare W1RFI that I thought that, and received a vituperative reply that basically
told me I was trying to "spoil" the fun of SKN by insisting it was for Straight
Keys.

--
    _     _     _     _     _
   / \   / \   / \   / \   / \   John L. Sielke
  ( W ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( G ) ( N )  http://w2agn.net
   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/
"CRUSTY OLD CURMUDGEON - AND PROUD OF IT!"


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[n3drk]

Of course John. Do you expect any better than the man who tries to
rewrite ham radio history and tradition! Since its inception SKN
was for using Straight Keys. A bug is NOT a straight key. But some
primadonas who crave control and like telling others how it is to be
done insist having their way. And if persons like us do not answer these
posts the truth will never get out for the newer licenses.
73s
john-n3drk


----- Original Message -----
From: "W2AGN" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SKN

> [hidden email] wrote:
>> Yes, another SKN will be upon us soon. While they've taken to allowing
>> bugs as "straight keys", that makes me rather sad. Here's why:
>>
> I agree 100%. Straight Key Night shoukld be for straight keys. I once told
> Ed Hare W1RFI that I thought that, and received a vituperative reply that
> basically told me I was trying to "spoil" the fun of SKN by insisting it
> was for Straight Keys.
>
> --
>    _     _     _     _     _
>   / \   / \   / \   / \   / \   John L. Sielke
>  ( W ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( G ) ( N )  http://w2agn.net
>   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/
> "CRUSTY OLD CURMUDGEON - AND PROUD OF IT!"
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com 

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[EricJ-2]

I got a peek at the SKN 2007 rules. Electronic keyers are OK, but no
keyboards. In 2008, all SKN exchanges will have to be handled via Winlink
and confirmed via LOTW.

SKN is for straight keys.

Eric
KE6US
www.ke6us.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of W2AGN
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 6:12 AM
To: [hidden email]
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SKN

[hidden email] wrote:
> Yes, another SKN will be upon us soon. While they've taken to allowing
> bugs as "straight keys", that makes me rather sad. Here's why:
>
>
I agree 100%. Straight Key Night shoukld be for straight keys. I once told
Ed Hare W1RFI that I thought that, and received a vituperative reply that
basically told me I was trying to "spoil" the fun of SKN by insisting it was
for Straight Keys.

--
    _     _     _     _     _
   / \   / \   / \   / \   / \   John L. Sielke
  ( W ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( G ) ( N )  http://w2agn.net
   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/
"CRUSTY OLD CURMUDGEON - AND PROUD OF IT!"


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Dan Barker]

This is a joke, right? I didn't see the <g>.

Dan / WG4S / K2 #2456

<snip>
I got a peek at the SKN 2007 rules. Electronic keyers are OK, but no
keyboards. In 2008, all SKN exchanges will have to be handled via Winlink
and confirmed via LOTW.

SKN is for straight keys.

Eric
KE6US
</snip>
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[W2AGN]

EricJ wrote:
> I got a peek at the SKN 2007 rules. Electronic keyers are OK, but no
> keyboards. In 2008, all SKN exchanges will have to be handled via Winlink
> and confirmed via LOTW.
>
> SKN is for straight keys.
>
> Eric
> KE6US
>
LOL! Unfortunately, could be true.

--
    _     _     _     _     _
   / \   / \   / \   / \   / \   John L. Sielke
  ( W ) ( 2 ) ( A ) ( G ) ( N )  http://w2agn.net
   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/   \_/
"CRUSTY OLD CURMUDGEON - AND PROUD OF IT!"


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[N2EY]

So here's what we all do:
 
1) Operate SKN using straight keys only
 
2) Send in detailed reports of our operations to ARRL, with pics if possible, listing QSOs, rigs/keys used, best fist, most interesting QSO, etc. (Something ironic about using a $250 2004 digital camera to take pics of my 1945 J-37 key, bought at a junk sale for 25 cents in 1965)
 
3) Mention in report that while I/we have/use bugs, sideswipers, cootie keys, keyboards, electronic whoozis and watsatzs, on SKN I/we use straight keys only.
 
4a) Suggest there be a separate "Bug Night" set aside. Maybe the original July 4th SKN date.
 
4b) Or maybe suggest BN and SKN should run consecutively, not concurrently - say, Dec 31 UTC is straight keys only, Jan 1 UTC is any nonelectronic key. Or something similar so SKN retains its unique identity. You get the idea - tell 'em what we want!
 
No matter what the rules say, if we all use straight keys that night, it will remain Straight Key Night.
 
73 es ZUT de Jim, N2EY
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Thom LaCosta]

On Tue, 20 Dec 2005, EricJ wrote:

> I got a peek at the SKN 2007 rules. Electronic keyers are OK, but no
> keyboards. In 2008, all SKN exchanges will have to be handled via Winlink
> and confirmed via LOTW.

But you didn't tell everyone that SKN will mean Sailboat Keeper Night.

>
> SKN is for straight keys.

It was at one time.

Thom

www.baltimorehon.com/                    Home of the Baltimore Lexicon
www.tlchost.net/hosting/                 Web Hosting as low as 3.49/month
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Brian Wood-5]

What's needed is a "Mechanical Key Night" (bugs and straight keys) versus an
"Electronic Key Night" (keyers and keyboards) to go along with "Straight Key
Night" (straight keys only). And for those who don't like CW, a "VOX Night"
and a "PTT Night". And then, considering the season and the condition of the
bands, a "Silent Night" (not to be confused with Silent Key Night, one I
hope I can participate in when I've gone to the big DXPedition in the
sky...) :)

73,

Brian, W0DZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of [hidden email]
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 10:30 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SKN - A Straight Solution


So here's what we all do:

1) Operate SKN using straight keys only

2) Send in detailed reports of our operations to ARRL, with pics if
possible, listing QSOs, rigs/keys used, best fist, most interesting QSO,
etc. (Something ironic about using a $250 2004 digital camera to take pics
of my 1945 J-37 key, bought at a junk sale for 25 cents in 1965)

3) Mention in report that while I/we have/use bugs, sideswipers, cootie
keys, keyboards, electronic whoozis and watsatzs, on SKN I/we use straight
keys only.

4a) Suggest there be a separate "Bug Night" set aside. Maybe the original
July 4th SKN date.

4b) Or maybe suggest BN and SKN should run consecutively, not concurrently -
say, Dec 31 UTC is straight keys only, Jan 1 UTC is any nonelectronic key.
Or something similar so SKN retains its unique identity. You get the idea -
tell 'em what we want!

No matter what the rules say, if we all use straight keys that night, it
will remain Straight Key Night.

73 es ZUT de Jim, N2EY


_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Thomas Miccolis]

   Group,

   Jim  is  the  ONLY  "technical expert" recognized by the ARRL.  He can
   detail  the  actual  QST  issue which details this fact as well as the
   issue that his article on Field Day appeared (published author).

   Jim,  you  should research back to when there were multiple Field Days
   (duting  the  1930's?)  and document it here on the reflector.  SKN is
   important  because  many  people nowadays not only do not know history
   accurately  but  actually choose to revise it.  So it would be nice to
   know  the  exact year that the 4th of July event ceased.   Believe me,
   some  HAMs  only  know  BPL as an interference problem and NOT what it
   originally meant for decades!

   Tom, WA3UZI
     _________________________________________________________________

   From: [hidden email]
   To: [hidden email]
   Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SKN - A Straight Solution
   Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2005 12:29:44 -0500
   So here's what we all do:
   1) Operate SKN using straight keys only
   2)  Send  in  detailed reports of our operations to ARRL, with pics if
   possible,  listing  QSOs,  rigs/keys used, best fist, most interesting
   QSO,  etc. (Something ironic about using a $250 2004 digital camera to
   take  pics  of my 1945 J-37 key, bought at a junk sale for 25 cents in
   1965)
   3)  Mention  in  report  that  while  I/we have/use bugs, sideswipers,
   cootie  keys,  keyboards, electronic whoozis and watsatzs, on SKN I/we
   use straight keys only.
   4a)  Suggest  there  be  a  separate  "Bug Night" set aside. Maybe the
   original July 4th SKN date.
   4b)  Or  maybe  suggest  BN  and  SKN  should  run  consecutively, not
   concurrently - say, Dec 31 UTC is straight keys only, Jan 1 UTC is any
   nonelectronic  key.  Or  something  similar  so SKN retains its unique
   identity. You get the idea - tell 'em what we want!
   No  matter what the rules say, if we all use straight keys that night,
   it will remain Straight Key Night.
   73 es ZUT de Jim, N2EY
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com