Yes indeed, Straight Key Night is almost upon us ! I can hardly wait to start pounding the brass ! There is however one thing that bothers me. The use of bugs and other semi-automatic apperatice for sending morse on this evening. And yes I know there are alot of old bugs out there that need to be dusted off es put into operation, but that is really not the point. I also realize that there are no rules per say regarding what kind of equipment can be used. But they don't call it straight key night fer nothing. Call me a purist, call me a bum, call me whatever, but PLEASE don't call one of the great traditions of this hobby BUG NIGHT ! Please don't misunderstand me I have several bugs in my collection es enjoy using them from time to time. It's just that iv'e seen many a wonderful things in this hobby go by the wayside. (including morse code) So if you do have a straight key I urge u to use it on SKN es help keep this fine tradition alive. TNX FE R UR TIME, Gregg WB8LZG K1 #2085 New Year's Eve is traditionally is a time to review the year past, and wax nostalgic. For some years amateur radio ops have dusted off their straight key and put it on the air. But what about other, perhaps more challenging antique keys of historic and nostalgic value?
Semi-automatic keys, bugs, have also been coming out of hiding on this night. Each year more and more have participated in SKN (Silent Key Night) with these keys. Last year such rare pieces were heard as: a Dow Universal Rotary bug, a 1936 McElroy bug, a Vibroplex Upright, a Speed-X 501, a Vibroplex Midget, a Vibroplex Double Lever, a blue Blue Racer from 1917, a right-angle bug known as a Codetrol, a Melehan Variant. There are no "rules," no limitations, no points, no exchanges. Just have fun sharing stories about the history of and how you came by your nostalgic key. No need to worry about your fist, we are all just doing what we can honoring something from our past. Hope to hear you, and best wishes for your new year! Fred - KT5X _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
