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Messages - NWARadio

#1
I sold almost all my radio stuff a while back and now I'm thinking of getting another one. But, I'm just not keen on spending nearly a thousand dollars again for a radio that I mostly listen to. (I found, over time, that I really didn't have much to say) I thoroughly enjoyed 17m for the special even stations and lack of contesting and want 80m for NVIS experiments. Also, I want cheap, cw and ssb. To that end, I've found this:
http://qrznow.com/hambuilder-all-band-trx-full-set-rtc03britxhbrf0120wpa-fully-assembled/
Haven't seen it on the eBay store yet, but the single band model is only $170 or so. Anybody here heard anything about these or have any experience with them? I know I'll probably end up shelling out four or five hundred dollars for one of the usual suspects, but until I give up the search, I'll be hoping for something less expensive and as useful.
#2
Does the Yaesu 817 not meet all these needs?
#3
Gil, from your video of the guy making his own tubes, I ended up on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuJlxgGdlIc

The colors this tube makes, starting around 4:50 and going to around 8:10, are just beautiful. Thanks for the funny videos, Ray.
#4
Antennas / Re: PAC-12 antenna
September 19, 2016, 08:30:13 PM
Yes to grid power and yes to trees. Tons of trees. I'd rather buy an antenna, even though it seems to go against traditional ham thought. Honestly, I just like the look of store bought stuff. It's always better looking and more durable than I can build. Cheaper, usually, too. I just have to get a radio. I'm currently between rigs. I've built a RockMite, but a chip was bad. The Yahoo group helped me trouble-shoot it, which is how I found out it was a bad IC. I'd try another RM, but I'd really like more than a couple of frequencies.
#5
Antennas / Re: PAC-12 antenna
September 17, 2016, 03:53:36 PM
I've got 5 acres out in the country where my wife and I keep an RV to use as a cabin. I'm thinking of getting a transceiver (I'd love recommendations on brands/models/bands, btw) that's small and easy to toss in the truck and take out there with me to use after the sun goes down and there's no work to do. I'd like an antenna that's quick and easy to put up, but compact and easily stored in the RV or the shed. Although, now that I think about it, I don't want any permanent radials on the ground. Would I be better off with a dipole?
#6
Antennas / PAC-12 antenna
September 16, 2016, 09:44:48 PM
Any thoughts on this antenna:
http://www.qrpkits.com/pac12.html

I'm wondering if it'd be worth it to try and homebrew one or just buy the one on the site. Anybody here have experience with this antenna? Or one like it?
#7
General Discussion / Re: ARRL Conventions
September 16, 2016, 09:18:00 PM
Too bad that the younger crowd isn't interested much. I'm sure they're out there, just not in droves. Teenagers don't want to study to pass a test just for a hobby, young adults have new-found freedom and aren't interested in a hobby that basically keeps them at home and, these days, it's difficult to afford this hobby. I have hope, though. My son is turning 17 and has asked for a cb for his Jeep. I guess several of his friends have them. So, I'll get it for him and it'll open the door to talking about propagation and long distance comms. Unbeknownst to him, he'll also be getting a Baofeng to listen to, if he's ever interested. There's a repeater in our town that gets zero use. Maybe I can interest these kids in the hobby.

One thing I admire about Gil and this site is that he advocates packing light and getting outside. Thanks for the description of the convention. I've never been to one and probably won't go to one.
#8
Morse Code / Re: Morse Code for Prepping.
September 10, 2016, 09:37:16 PM
Back on topic: I'm loving the YouTube channel and I'm glad you started it.  It also gives me more things to share on Facebook, even though I rarely post these days. Your videos are inspiring me to look into some low power cw rigs.
#9
Morse Code / Re: Morse Code for Prepping.
August 22, 2016, 07:18:28 PM
Totally unrelated to radio: What's that painting behind you?
#10
New To Radio / Re: How much power do you need?
August 22, 2016, 06:54:09 PM
Reading this makes me want to attempt another RockMite build and learn CW. I'd certainly love a kit that could fit into an ammo can and go.
#11
General Discussion / Re: Gil Watch - Radio Spots
August 22, 2016, 06:42:58 PM
I've been away for a while. Where's Gil? He's on a trip somewhere?
#12
Military Radios / Re: PRC-320 First Impressions.
July 16, 2016, 09:10:11 PM
Any chance of a YouTube video, Gil?
#13
I knew you'd lost your boat (sorry about that, btw) but I wasn't sure if you were planning on getting another one.
#14
I agree, Ray. And you've made a good point about "one tank of gas", considering if things got bad enough, we'd be lucky to make it that far easily.
#15
How do you plan to mount your NVIS that high? Will this be on your boat or on land?