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Author Topic: Join SKCC or Not?  (Read 20075 times)

K3UIM

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #45 on: November 24, 2018, 08:22:55 PM »

ZJH: Having spent a couple summers on my grand parents' farm as a youngster, I get the xyl disgusted when I admit that I like the smell of cow dung. What really gets her goat is also admitting that I can tell if there's been corn or oats  in the cows feed too, not just grass and hay HI.
Charlie, K3UIM
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

WA9CFK

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #46 on: November 30, 2018, 08:48:54 PM »

I joined SKCC to work CW. My understanding is it was for mechanical keys. Since my speed is rather slow it works fine for me.
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NI0C

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #47 on: January 07, 2019, 12:25:52 PM »

After years of indifference to this group, I succumbed to bug fever and joined just yesterday.  Membership is almost 20,000 now!  Now to improve my fist.
73 de Chuck  NI0C
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K7MEM

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #48 on: January 07, 2019, 03:56:27 PM »

I joined the SKCC (8910) many years ago. I thought I might get back into mechanical keys, I have a nice McElroy straight key and a 1916 Blue Racer. But I had used a keyer for a long time (since 1980) and liked using them. IMHO, there is just as much skill involved in operating a keyer, as there is a mechanical key. I have a bunch of keyers now and prefer using them.

So if you hear me on the bands, I'm probably not using a mechanical key. So don't expect any SKCC points.

Having spent a couple summers on my grand parents' farm as a youngster, I get the xyl disgusted when I admit that I like the smell of cow dung. What really gets her goat is also admitting that I can tell if there's been corn or oats  in the cows feed too, not just grass and hay HI.

There are no farms around here (Arizona), but a lot of ranches. Some in excess of 600 acres. Arizona is a free roaming state, so cows have rights and are allowed to roam anywhere they want to. That means, if you don't want them on your property, you need a good fence. If they knock your fence down and eat all of your plants and trees, it's your job to prove that you had a fence that meets requirements. Many people find that their cheap wood post fence doesn't cut it.

The XYL and I board horses, so we get a good mixture of cow and horse dung. But horse manure decomposes right back to hay. Cow patties just sit there and get hard. And, yes, you can set fire to a cow patty. But you won't like the smell and it's difficult to put out, once it's lit. I wouldn't use it in place of fire wood.
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Martin - K7MEM
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WO7R

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #49 on: January 09, 2019, 01:11:58 PM »

Quote
There are no farms around here (Arizona),

Well, FWIW, there are farms around here.  In the south central AZ where I live (Pinal County) we grow lots of cotton and even some corn (!?!).  How we can get the water to do the latter beats me, but there are a few fields of it every year.

There's also a few total confinement type cattle operations (not free range).  I suppose someone is running hogs somewhere, but I don't know where.

Just shows how really different being north of the Mogollon rim is.  K7MEM lives in a whole different state than I do in just about all respects.
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K7MEM

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RE: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #50 on: January 09, 2019, 03:49:27 PM »

Well, FWIW, there are farms around here.  In the south central AZ where I live (Pinal County) we grow lots of cotton and even some corn (!?!).  How we can get the water to do the latter beats me, but there are a few fields of it every year.

There's also a few total confinement type cattle operations (not free range).  I suppose someone is running hogs somewhere, but I don't know where.

Just shows how really different being north of the Mogollon rim is.  K7MEM lives in a whole different state than I do in just about all respects.

Yes, I know that area very well. I moved to Phoenix in 1974 and lived on the West side (Glendale,Peoria) until 2011. When I first moved to Phoenix, there were no freeways other than I-17. No 101, no 202, no 303. Even I-10 didn't exist. It took a lot of years to put those freeways in place. In the late 70's they started to make the connection between I-10 south and I-10 west. I would watch the construction every day, on my way to work. But in 1980, I took a contract to work in Germany. When I left, all they had built were the bridges. But when I returned, in 1984, that's all they had done. Nothing changed.

And, yes, cotton was king. They grew more cotton than they did in the cotton belt (south east). I worked in Goodyear and had to travel surface streets, through all of the cotton fields, to get to work. It was common to drive along and see a crop duster coming at you only 10 feet off the ground. That's something you never get use to. I use to check to see if I had tire marks on the roof of my car.

I also recall, in the spring when the winds shifted, the odor of the feed lots (cattle farms) would permeate the air. If you asked "what's that smell?" you would be told "that's the smell of money".

While I am north of the Mogollon rim, I am way north-west of it. Ash Fork is about 50 miles west of Flagstaff. And Flagstaff is about 100 miles north of Phoenix. We live on the edge of the Kaibab National Forest about 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon. If I need to go to a Home Depot or Walmart, I have to make a day of it.

Ash Fork is also at 5,200 feet altitude. So this area is considered "high desert". The area is very rocky. There is a ring of about 7 volcanoes in the area and lots of flagstone. Ash Fork is the Flagstone Capitol of the US. If you have a flagstone walk way, it probably came from here. They ship all over the US. Day in, day out, semis load with flagstone come and go. It's about the only big business in the area.

But if you are up here some time, don't mess with the cows. The cows up here are not milk cows. They are beef cows and they travel in small herds (10-20) with bulls. And the bulls don't want anyone messing with their cows. Tourists think their cute, but the learn very quickly to stay away.
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Martin - K7MEM
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N4MJG

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Re: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #51 on: July 28, 2022, 01:38:39 PM »

Go for it ! i join since 2005 and still learning the code !


Jackie
N4MJG
SKCC 7305
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JACKIE GREEN

K2FW

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Re: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #52 on: August 20, 2022, 09:55:14 AM »

Go for it ! i join since 2005 and still learning the code !


Jackie
N4MJG
SKCC 7305
I joined about 3 1/2 years ago & it's one of the best things I've done.  It's old school radio.  The people who run the SKCC are the best around & there's no charge to join.  Although you're free to make a donation.
I started with a SK, but later changed to a dual lever Bug.  It's almost like using a paddle & keyer.  Great fun a lots of awards too!
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W9RAC

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Re: Join SKCC or Not?
« Reply #53 on: September 07, 2022, 03:25:54 AM »

As mentioned any mechanical key is OK with SKCC. Great group of folks who are ready to QSO and help if ask. 73 Rich
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