[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net

[Kevin Rock]

Hi Folks,
    I just posted the announcement and reports within moments of one  
another.  This is due to the fact that the QTH mailer bounced all of my  
messages previous to today.  We had good nets even though I was about to  
fall asleep on the paddles.  Working outside when it is cold performing  
physical labor takes its toll when you come inside.  I was bucking,  
splitting, hauling, and stacking the tree which fell upon my house.  I'll  
have plenty of wood when it is dry.  Today I took advantage of another day  
of sun to split, haul, and stack some more wood.  This got a lot of the  
kinks out.  I may be able to do it tomorrow if I don't have to travel into  
Portland.  Makes me feel better, eat well, and sleep very soundly :)
    The bands were good yesterday and on Saturday.  I was able to work the  
W9C folks twice.  On 40 meters Saturday evening and on 20 meters Sunday  
morning.  I tried many times to hear them on 80 meters but had no luck.   
There were a lot of folks on 80 meters but never W9C.  Oh well, I tried.   
We did miss Tom during the nets.  A few folks mentioned his absence and  
relay assistance.  I expect he was packed up and traveling home.  Or he  
could have been catching up on sleep if he worked the station over night.   
Just wanted you to know you were missed :(
    Now I hope the QTH folks can keep their comms link up as well as HF  
supports CW!  Yes Ron, I agree, a bit of wire in the air, a decent  
battery, and straight key are enough to keep folks informed.  The Internet  
is not always reliable; most especially during an emergency.  In ARES we  
train, and train for communications breakdowns (Led Zeppelin tunes?).   
That was what I was doing on Saturday when I was trying to hear Tom and  
W9C.  I heard them but did not transmit because I was busy running a  
digital station across the county.  But I could listen while I typed :)   
The tuner was on the fritz or I'd have sent with the Navy key while typing  
one handed on the computer.  An SWR ratio of 8:1 told me, "Don't attempt  
to send or you may see a bit of smoke from the back of this Kenwood!"  Not  
wanting make a stink in the comms shack I simply listened.
    Until next week,
       73,
          Kevin.  KD5ONS