[Elecraft] ELECRAFT SAVES STRAIGHT KEY NIGHT!

[eric norris]

Dear Gang:

Every year I look forward to operating Straight Key Night, mostly with my old 
Heathkits.  This year I was beset with problems.  After 4 QSOs on my beloved 
HW-16, a nasty, band-wide noise set in making 40m impossible.  My K3, with its 
epic DSP NR and outstanding NB kept me going into the night  


Today, on 20 meters, I had a blast with my Heathkit CW twins HR-1680 and 
HX-1681.  I am always amazed how smooth the QSK is on these old rigs.

But I really wanted to make at least one contact with my HW-8.  This rig has 
almost no selectivity, and mine is box-stock.  Trying to listen on 20 meters was 
just about hopeless--even the "narrow" selectivity setting would let in a number 
of stations at the same time.  


I hooked up my Elecraft AF-1 Audio Filter and VOILA!  A usable radio!  Using the 
BP2 setting and varying the center frequency to edge out the QRM, I was finally 
able to make a contact with Jim, K5BZH in Texas who gave me a 339 report and 
said I had made his day--he is also an HW-8 owner.  Pretty cool with 1.7 watts.  


Thanks Elecraft!

73 and happy New Year to all.

Eric WD6DBM