Yes, performance and features, that's what I wondered...

Gil.

That's what I'd like to get!

Gil.

QuoteThey're about 2x a Baofeng lately from what I see.

Could you please elaborate on that? Thanks.

Gil.

About mobility.. It isn't something I plan. If I can stay put, I would. I want to be mobile in case I have to move...

Gil.

Thanks guys for your advise...

Gil.

Yours doesn't have the built-in power supply? Mine plugs in directly in 110.. The only problem with it are the power switch that sometimes stops working (I leave it on and plug/unplug) and the RF gain button that seems to do nothing.. Otherwise, no sticky areas. That's probably the encoder being dirty. Easy to fix I'd expect. I really like the 271A because I didn't have to spend extra money for a tone board.. The 25W output is also a plus, compared with it's predecessors 10W.

Gil.

QuoteI miss cobblers in a small side-street storefront

Yep, nothing like that left here either. It will have to be the Internet. I'm not even sure of my shoe size. That's how often I buy shoes...

Quotethere is a world of difference between trail walking -v- humping a ruck when your life depends upon it

I thought as much... The military can't afford to have armies immobilized because of shoe problems, so I figured if they like a boot, there has to be something to it... I wouldn't think the same for all their equipment, but boots, certainly...

Gil.

That they should be NPO  ;D

Gil.

Oh yes... Danner has an excellent reputation as the best boot you can possibly buy. I'm sure there are others as good or better, but they cost $330 for the models I like, which is as much as I'd want to spend. Now they have so many, it will be hard to narrow it down... I filtered them by Military types first, then temperate climate to cover it all. Looks like those might do:

http://www.danner.com/boots/dannerr-usmc-rat-temperate-steel-toe-military-boots.html

http://www.danner.com/boots/

Gil.

Well, Ray, I am glad 30m works for our situation. We've had better success with it than 20 or 40, including that memorable time you heard me on 2W with the antenna inside.. Now if I get a 30m end-fed, it should be a piece of cake! PAR has a 30/40 antenna which sounds great. It probably would work for 20 with a tuner. Anyway, if I manage to bring a woman camping with me, I'll remember to explain to her that you can only wear the mosquito net by itself.. I need to find some technical reason for that..  ;)

Mosquitoes can certainly make a bad situation suck even more. Especially if you can't sleep because of them. I remember a show about a couple lost in the Amazon Jungle. They couldn't sleep at all because of the bugs and were exhausted rapidly. Not only that, it drove them literally crazy. Not to mention possible diseases transmitted by their bites...

Ticks are something I worry about too, and that is why for the woods, I like pants that lace at the ankle...

For Christmas, I think I will get myself a pair of Danner boots. You never know what you'll step on either...
I am shopping for a good 4-season tent too, but unfortunately the best ones are all orange!  :-\

Gil.

Thanks. For the K1, I had to spend a few dollars, but much less than the Elecraft $40 tilt stand...

Gil.

Well, I assessed the damage tonight while setting up for a QSO with RadioRay. There is a ton of little twigs on my second floor deck  ::)

The QSO was short because I was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes, so I missed half of what Ray was saying. The state is well known for it's shark and alligator attacks, but mosquitoes come at a close third. In a SHTF situation, they would count for many casualties. Thank God I had a tube of Benadryl in my bug-out bag, so I didn't off myself going crazy scratching all night. By the way I heard a story about a missionary jumping off an island cliff because the no-see-ems drove him mad, so don't laugh ;) Seriously though my preps do include Benadryl, a mosquito net and insect repellent. I hate mosquitoes, can you tell?

I want everyone to know that Ray was using 100W!  ;D I think an intervention is in order! We both gave a 559 report and I used 13W in my Buddistick on 30m... But hey, I think when you get old you start using a cane just because it's easier  ;D

Also notice the mini airport bottle of Cointreau on the table, which helps greatly with Morse Code. Now I drink it for every QSO... Works every time. It doesn't make you copy better, but you just don't care anymore.. Add a small cigar, and it's Ham Heaven.

Thank you again Ray for the much needed practice!

Ya'll have a great week-end  :)

Gil.

It is rumored that Yaesu has a successor in the pipeline... Anyone heard anything about it?

Gil.

If they are the variable type, then forget what I said..

Gil.

When you buy the capacitors, make sure they are NPO types, which means more temperature-stable...

Gil.