Starting the New Year

This morning I mistakingly answered a CQ station which I thought was a Straight Key Century Club member. They were using a familiar format which is used by several clubs. (Call, RST, Name and Number). When I realized I had sent my club number,  from the wrong club,  and the station had no e-mail address posted on the web, the only thing I could do was re-call and admit my mistake. I then sent my 5W and an explanation.

Last year, I participated in this Special Event Contest and had a lot of fun working as many stations as possible in different areas of the country. You can find all the details of this years event from the SKCC link on the right side of this blog.

My old Brunnell straight key is very simple but I love the sound that only comes with this type of key. It was given to me from the estate of a SK who wished to remain antonymous and I cherish it as much as my radio. It's a little over a hundred years old and still functions flawlessly. I've began using this "straight key" almost exclusively. Even in long contests.

The first station I worked this morning was another QRP station in the state of Maine (K0ZK). We both exchanged 599 reports and I was astounded that he was 661 miles from me and using 5 watts of power. But his "club number" was the most puzzling I've ever heard on the bands.

I listened closely as he sent 1ooNN.....

Ever heard anything like that?

I haven't, but that's what he sent, and I assume the only purpose was to play with other people's heads. (I don't mean this as nonconstructive criticism). And after thinking about it for a minute or two, I found it quite amusing.

I used to do this kind of stuff with signal lights and semaphore when I was in the Navy. BCNU (Be seeing you)  is particularly amusing when sent as semaphore, especially when "around" is added by flinging one's arms around your body to the bewilderment of a confused and puzzled sailor trying to make sense out or it. The more I thought about it, the funnier it became.

K0ZK was actually an ARCI member (correct number 10099).

My highlight of the first day of this new year, was trying to work K3Y/KL7. (He was actually KL8DX in Alaska).  It's the first time I've heard this state and he was a little over 3,000 miles from me. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make the catch. However, the pursuit was just as fun. I listened and tried to work him for half an hour. Hihi

I did however, work another Washington State station. K3Y/7 was actually NG7Z and member # 802T. I seem to have a pipeline into Washington for some reason.

I worked a few more stations this year than the previous one. This year I have 295 new stations listed in the log book. (255 for the year 2009). I've now worked 242 SKCC stations, 330 FISTS members, 188 QRP stations and 190 NAQCC members. These bring my totals to 838 since retirement.

I'm looking forward to many more.