What is a Silent Key (SK)?
Silent Key is a dignified term going back to wired telegraphy, adopted in the early days of ham radio when only Morse code was used to honor a CW operator whose key will not be heard again. This tradition has carried over into modern times when voice, video and data have been added to the amateur radio repertoire. Considering the prosign SK (… -.-) as “end of transmission,” the double meaning of SK is very fitting.
Our Coffee Shop Silent Keys
As of July 20, 2023 Our Coffee Shop has lost 16 members due to death since it’s inception in February 2010. The silent keys listed below appear in the order they became members of Our Coffee Shop.
| Callsign | Name | Member Since |
|---|---|---|
| ZL2ADR | Andy | 2/1/2010 |
| KC2THO | Tom | 10/2/2010 |
| VK5AVR | Ray | 2/11/2011 |
| N1FG | Gale | 5/21/2011 |
| N7LMV | Jerry #1 | 7/24/2011 |
| KK4AMD | Don | 8/2/2011 |
| N9OJC | John | 8/4/2012 |
| K0PJH | Patrick | 8/13/2012 |
| KC2RIL | Ric | 2/4/2013 |
| G0NQZ | Peter | 10/16/2013 |
| KG7AYF | Richard | 12/6/2013 |
| KB3TYZ | Big Ric | 5/11/2014 |
| WA4NFZ | Bob | 12/29/2014 |
| VE7PNN | Jack | 3/15/2015 |
| KC5GVT | Alfred | 4/11/2016 |
| KM4QPS | David | 12/22/2018 |
Silent Key Tribute Recordings
Below are audio recordings of Silent Key Tributes that have been conducted during one of Our Coffee Shop nets.