Bob,
Appreciate the effort.

I got this response off a Google + board....

"I seem to recall another ham (KI4NQX) who had the early TenTec variety of a YouKits  radio who told me there was some poorly written code that would occasionally make the processor too busy to see the encoder send the VFO change.  He re-wrote quite a bit of the software to make it more responsive but I don't know if he submitted it back to the community.  If the current YouKits still have the poorly written code then that would be a place to start."

Either way, it's not a real issue as I only notice it if  I'm looking for it.

I really like the rig.

Today was the first time I got to try it out with my Chameleon Hybrid-Min w/MilWHip and ZM-2 tuner.

Unfortunately, the ZM can't tune this radio to it.  My MFJ-941E had no issues, and the ZM will tune my FT-817 to the Hybrid perfectly.

I'm likely going to sell it and stick with the 817 after all.

The HB-1B has a better receiver and the IF variable is awesome compared to the 817 and 500hz filter.

I'm really torn on the idea and am going to wait a while first.

I installed a touch keyer through the Pelican 1170 case I have for it and its accompanying parts and it makes for a great package so I just don't know.

I love that touchkeyer though!


- Jim

I recently bought one off of eBay and it's  a great little unit, but I notice that the main freq knob seems to miss when dialing.

It misses when slow or fast dialing by one or two "notches" in random order around the dial.

Does anyone know if this is normal (cheap encoder) or is mine worn out?

It's not enough to make it hard to use, I'm just curious.


- Jim

http://www.wolphi.com/ham-radio-apps/morse-trainer/

No live news but you can load text files / books


- Jim

NCGunDude, I have had nothing but success with it but have had little time on air.  I'll be doing CW Reverse beacon stuff with it later this year to give a better idea of its effectiveness.

I posted on the Google+ so hopefully STN will take EZ up on his offer.


- Jim

Thanks for coming in Steve, I'll forward your offer to him if you haven't already contacted STN.  I'm sure he would love to do a comprehensive comparison.




- Jim

The QRP advice was from the owner of EZ Antenna.  It's so inefficient that QRP would suffer was the gist I got.

Keep googling, you'll find it.  Also "videosbymike" is the guy I mentioned before. He's on u tube


- Jim

Reasoning was the MPAS was tried and true already, Chameleon has perfect CS, and the only person I found online that said it works great is a guy that does his QSOs at the beach and is a sponsor of them (which he doesn't say outright) so I believed it to be too good of a thing.  Also I believe it's using electronics for a match as well as the company says it's a poor choice for QRP which is all I use.


- Jim

I can recommend the MPAS system, I was looking at the  EZ Mil before I went with the Chameleon system.

http://youtu.be/BOHvM_2G340


- Jim

Dah that sounds right, Dah yes sir! :)


- Jim

Wow, another year gone!  +1 on not needing preps, hope to say same next year!  Have a great day everyone.

I will for sure.  I'm a ways off though.   >:(

Thanks for the encouragement, I will give it a shot.

I am learning the letters at 20WPM speed but with lots of space (6WPM) using LCWO and I am writing it down then typing it in.

The lookup table would be for the few I haven't got down yet.

I don't plan on calling CQ until I'm in the 10WPM realm but want to keep my friend interested so I set up a QSO for ASAP.

Interesting statement Gil.

Also, I seem to do better with paddles and the radio set to 12WPM when sending, but know I should probably get my fist developed first.

I'm looking for a flameproof key to fill the niche on eBay now.  The J-38 I have drives me nuts with all the clanking!

- Jim

I mean I would have to use a cheat sheet for many letters and a scripted QSO.

A friend in a nearby town and I want to try NVIS and it would be my first QSO in CW, but I'm not ready and he's probably worse off.

I'm hoping that NVIS will keep it local and not interfere with anyone, but know there will be a lot of slow <5WPM going back and forth.

Is there a good chance I'll get the ".-..  .. -.." thrown at me? :)

Quote from: gil
Well, you never know.. She might learn it much faster than you :o

lol, I read this to her and the challenge was on.  Setting up LCWO.net account for her today.

I told here I was going  to start asking for radios in morse and she had to give a "yes" or "no" answer and double negatives = permission to buy so she better catch up fast. :)

Of course that's all theory and we know how application changes our view of theory sometimes!



- Jim

Yeah, she's not opposed to learning CW, I just know that if I'm struggling and have 2X the spare time to learn, it will be quite a while for her. 

I really don't want a another phone rig though if I can help it. 

The Fx4 might be my only option then as it seems to be the smallest package available that's not a kit and isn't the worse QRP CW option a guy could find.

Thanks for the response




- Jim