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The NAQCC Straight Key States Challenge

Final Results:

Winner w/ 46 states - 
KD2MX - ALL EXCEPT AK DE HI RI

2nd w/ 38 states - 
VA3RKM - AL AZ AR CA CO CT FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI
        MN MS MO NE NH NJ NY NC OH OK PA SD TN TX VA WA WV WI
 
W9ILF - AK AL AR FL GA IA LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS NC ND NE NJ NV NY
        OH OK PA RI SC TN TX VA VT WI WV - total: 31 states
K3WWP - AL AR CA CO FL GA IL IN KS KY MA MD MI MN MO NC NH NJ NY OH
        PA TN TX VA VT WI WV - total: 27 states
KI4DEF - AR CA FL GA ID IL MA MI MO MS NH NJ NM NY OH OK PA TN TX VA
        VT WV - total: 22 states
KB9BVN - AL CO FL GA IL IN MI MN MO MS NC NY OH PA SC TN TX VA WI WV
        WY - total: 21 states
KI4KQQ - IN - total: 1 state
Soapbox: K3WWP - I really enjoyed using the straight key virtually the whole month of May. The only time I used the keyer was in the WPX and Hoot Owl contests. I concentrated more on the 30-30 award (which I made) and the spring rag chew award, and just let the states come as they may. I didn't really search out any states or I could have gotten several more, I'm sure. I find it easier to rag chew with a straight key, or at least to make rag chew QSO's. I guess because the pace is slower than when using a keyer. I hope there will be many of you reporting your straight key states over the next few days. I'm sure someone will top my 27 states.

KI4DEF - I thoroughly enjoyed this challenge. As did John K3WWP, I took the opportunity to use a straight key for the whole month. I, too, enjoy rag chewing with the straight key, and added a few to my Spring Rag Chew total. My only time using the paddles/keyer was on the 20th when I was operating KN0WCW. That enabled me to operate longer and have more QSOs, but the downside is that I didn't get to count a great QSO toward the challenge--fellow NAQCC member Steve NU7T in NV (one of the rarest states in my log). The only other state I couldn't count from that day was IN, and a good 2x QRP QSO to boot! Odd that I didn't get another IN during the month, because IN is one of ten *most* common states. The other curious missing state is my own home state of NC! Another weird thing is that I had a two QSOs from my 10 *least* common--ID and VT. So I guess it evened out, but not counting Steve NU7T really hurt!

KD2MX - I missed the two most distant(AK & HI), and two of the closest(RI & DE), states. I thought I would've worked the latter two during the NorthEast and Mid-Atlantic QSO Parties but I didn't even hear a station from either state. Worked many Maine stations though, go figure....Had no better luck during WPX. I guess the lack of 80M activity this time of year didn't help either. Working either HI or AK would've been exciting, especially AK as I've been looking for the elusive AK in order to finish up QRP WAS. I did work a few AL7/KL7s this month, too bad none were actually in Alaska. Most of my QSOs were made during the month's many contests. This was a fun challenge but it'll be somewhat of a relief to go back to contesting with just the keyer (except for our sprints of course).

KB9BVN - Didn't see this challenge until the night of the Sprint. I have also worked 5 DXCC entities this month as well. All QRP and all straight key. (All members should check the web site regularly to keep up to date on club activities - K3WWP)

W9ILF - I enjoyed the challenge very much. I am a very new member (#1400) For my first challenge this was perfect. I don't own paddles, so all my qrp qso's are straight key. about half were while I was mobile driving to work. I am getting paddles next week, so I am sure I wont be on my straight key again for a little while. (Nice to have a new and young - if memory serves from a QSO with Ivin, he's 33 years old - member participating in our challenges. - K3WWP)

VA3RKM - Almost all of these states were worked in the Spartan and WPX CW contests. I used with a straight key, FT817, 5W and simple wire antennas. Someday I'll have time to master a keyer! Glad to work KH6B as W7S who was profiled in the QRP Quarterly and has an article and photos in the Adventure Radio Society Sojourner web magazine. 38 states.

KI4KQQ - Straight key CW and QRP are my favorite modes of operation, especially from the field. I wish I would have checked the website earlier and found out about this challenge. I only made one contact but had a blast anyway. I am currently building two QRPp kits and can't wait to get some more straight key contacts. Hope to work many NAQCC members. See you from the field in the June challenge! 73, Terry. (It's members like Terry we need more of. He only worked one state, yet he took the time to send in his log. Thanks very much Terry. I hope this serves as an example to those other members who participate, but do not report. - K3WWP)


PREMISE:
Our Straight Key sprints that we started back in late 2004 to promote getting back to the basics of CW have proved so popular that we are going to try a straight key challenge. The rules are simple - just work as many different USA states as you can using a straight key.

TIME FRAME:
May 1, 2006 0000Z through May 31, 2006 2400Z

RULES:
You must use QRP and the other station can be using any power. You can use any antenna you want.

The whole QSO must take place with you using your straight key. If you are going to get your QSO's by calling CQ, the CQ must be sent with a straight key. You cannot initiate a QSO with a bug, keyer, computer, etc. then switch to a straight key. If you call CQ with a bug, keyer, computer, etc. and get an answer, you can't count that QSO for the challenge.

Hint: Get in the ARS Spartan Sprint, our NAQCC Sprint, the CQWW WPX contest, and the Hootowl Sprint, and it should be possible to get most of the states via those 4 contests alone.

AWARDS:
We'll award certificates to the two highest state totals (including dupes). If you happen to work all 50 states, we'll send you an NAQCC WAS certificate endorsed for straight key operation as well (if you used simple wire antennas for all the QSO's, that is).

PARTICIPATION AWARD AND WEB LISTING:
Anyone submitting a report gets a Participation Point and a web listing, even if you work just 1 state.

LOGS:
For your report, just list the QSO's alphabetically by states, one QSO per line.

Please preface your soapbox comments with "SOAPBOX:" so we will know what you want posted and what is private.

Send your results to KB3LFC at:

E-mail: pix_email_wy3h (1K)

You must type that address into your email program.

Subject must read: (your call) NAQCC (month) Challenge

For example: K3WWP NAQCC June Challenge

No attachments - keep the log in the body of the message.

Postal mail:
Tom Mitchell, KB3LFC
RD6 Box 122A
Kittanning, PA 16201

All entries must be postmarked or email dated before Jun 10, 2006.