SKM K3Y Event:
The Straight Key Century Clubs 20th anniversary has just ended. There were over 3500 SKM QSOs made during the month. I don't know if this was a record or not, but pretty close I would imagine.
Below is my band/region log for this years SKM. It is not as good as last year, but there were several days I could not work much. I did get the grand sweep, but with only two days to spare. It was a close one this year. I swear next year I will have 160m antenna up... Really!
K3Y 2026 Preliminary Results:
I've posted some stats for the month below.
{last year}(two years ago)
Total QSO for January : 187 { 385} (281)
Total SKCC Brags : 128 {230} (170)
Total K3Y unique operates worked : 121 {168} (135)
Total Band slots : 112 {128} (124)
US Entities Worked [50 States + DC & PR]: 41 {45} (45)
Continents: 6 out of 6 {6 out of 6}
DX Entities: 12 out of 19 {15 out of 20}
As you can see, not as good as last year. But with the down turn of the Sun spot cycle, it is to be expected.
Below is the winning QSL design for this year. The other entries can be found here .
EOL for my Alienware computer:
As with a lot of people, my computer cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. But I can still get security updates until October 2026. However, my computer seems to freeze a lot, especial when viewing videos. I mean I have to do hard reset i.e. push the power button until it power cycles. I have run all the extended diagnostics, but they seem to pass no problem. It is six years old, which is old for a Windows computer. Notices I said "Windows" computer, not for a Linux computer.
So I ordered a new Dell and it arrives Feb 3rd. We will see what that brings. Hopefully my old computer can live a longer life as a Linux machine. We will see.
Misc:
I am still playing with both the
HT Commander and
StationPilot. It has been awhile since there has been any updates to either program. I guess we will see if these programs fall by the wayside.
Still trying to get my Morse code head copying speed up. The
ICR seems to help.
January has been a bad month weather wise. Over two feet of snow and temps in the single digits for a lot of days. I hoe Feb. warms up a bit.
All for now 73!!
