[Elecraft] SKN - A Straight Solution - background

[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: n2ey at aol.com
   To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
   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