The past few weeks have been interesting for me. Despite poor band conditions, I managed to qualify for some more Straight Key Century Club (SKCC) awards.
Two weeks ago I received my Prefix x2 (Px2) award and a 40 meter endorsement on my Px1 award. The SKCC Prefix awards are awarded on a point system for working a unique set of prefixes and summing up the membership numbers of the stations you work. The PX1 award requires 500,00 points and the Px2 award requires 1,000,000 points. So, I had 1,000,000 points on all bands and more than 500,00 on 40 meters alone. It’s a lot easier to reach these numbers than you would think.
Yesterday afternoon, I got on 40 meters for a bit to see if I could find two more Centurion or higher contacts to reach the Tribune x2 level. After working Tom N2TRJ in New Jersey, I heard him working Conrad W3ZMN. Conrad is about 45 miles north of me in my hometown of Bethlehem, PA. After they finished, I gave Conrad a quick call. We were 339 both ways but managed to complete the exchange. My thanks to these two folks for getting me to the Tx2 level!
Today, along with my Tx2 award, I also received my 1xQRP award. This award is a point-based award for working a sufficient number of stations while running 5 watts or less. The points for each QSO vary according to the band used. There is also a 2xQRP award for making 2-way contacts but that is going to be much harder to achieve.
While I was in my SKCC logging program, I noticed that I was also qualified for 40 meter endorsements on my Centurion X1 and Tribune X1 awards. I also received those endorsements today.
The SKCC awards certainly become more challenging as you move up the ranks. I think that one of the things I enjoy most about the SKCC is that even someone like me with a QRP rig and a crappy antenna (more on that in another post) can earn some wallpaper. Being able to pick up an award now and then gives me a sense of accomplishment that has kept my interest peaked. Plus, you get to interact with some really friendly hams in the process.
73/72, Craig WB3GCK
WB3GCK QRP Amateur Radio 