I haven't forgotten about this group or the fact that I want to make contact with several of you. Summer just isn't a good time for me to sit in front of a radio. I've been selling some extra radios, working longer hours and working on some other things around the house. Hopefully by the end of winter I'll be working some CW. Hope everyone enjoys the heat and humidity! Lol

The RM40 is finished and I'm trouble shooting it now. When I power up, it apparently fires w into programming mode. Hopefully tonight I'll get to work on it. I do wish American Morse still made the Mity Box. I haven't seen an enclosure as attractive as that one.

I like what this guy did with using the screws for a touch keyer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-aKlkVePXE

Worked on the rock mite last night a little. Probably won't work on it again for a few days, but I've got a start and I'm really enjoying it. I was sent three sets of crystals so I'm still not real sure what frequency I'm going to go with. I might use the sockets that were sent so I can switch out the crystals.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

LOL I know it seems like overkill but it's not. I've also got an am/fm kit to build this winter, a regen receiver that I need to build correctly this time and the RMII. I'm also trying to buy a Texas Topper amp for the RM for 25 bucks from a guy who has decided not to build it. I'd like all that, plus an antenna and paddle in the can. Of course, I'll have to fashion some kind of divider to rivet into it to keep the antenna and paddle away from the electronics. Not sure whether I want a tuner built into it or not. I think not for now.

I'm kicking around building my Rock Mite][ in an ammo can.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 I love and have several maps. I have no problems using maps and using them well.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Bought a Yaesu FT920 along with an MFJ 949D tuner, two yaesu Vhf radios and an Astron power supply. I hope to sell off everything but the FT920. I think I'll also sell my Icom 718 to help cover costs. Now I've got 6 meters!

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I've been wondering where this has been since I never got a shipping notification. But it came today and I'll put it in my electronics box for this winter. Summer is the time for working on a cabin.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

I haven't turned my radios on in a long time. Storms made me unplug my antennas and once the weather turned nice again, it was time to work. So I've been cutting wood, hauling lumber fur a cabin/shed and keeping the weeds under control on our land in the country. That'll be my life this summer & fall. Once colder weather comes I'll spend more time on the radio. Gotta make hay while the sun shines!

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Thanks!

So long and thanks for all the fish.

John Galt, could you post a link to that article? I had it up once on my computer but i've lost it now. Gil, you're right, all electronics are vulnerable. Once I get my Rock Mite in the mail and completed, I'll probably put it in an ammo can along with the am/fm radio I'm going to build. Not ideal, I know, but it'll be a transceiver (the RM) that I could use to communicate. Once I started thinking about this, I figured out quickly that a close circle of friends/acquaintances are as important as anything else, almost. Which is tough for me since I've never been a person to have a lot of friends. Guess I'll have to learn to be more sociable. lol

I was messing around with the Drake last night and it occurred to me: After an EMP, or in any "grid-down" situation, the Drake would be useless to me. Even if it survived an EMP, it plugs into the wall and we live in a part of the country that wouldn't be real high on the list to have power restored. So why are tube radios always suggested for EMP readiness?

Will do. Hopefully there won't be any more tornadoes. We haven't had any up here, but I think the ones down south were enough for everybody. I'll for sure start posting again once I'm up and running. Of course, I'll be on SSB, since I'm not doing so well learning code. I can pound out my call pretty well, but I'm having trouble copying. I think what I really need to do is stop trying to learn with my eyes open. (Not a joke, btw) I tend to think about whatever I'm looking at, so when I listen with my eyes open, CW just becomes background noise to whatever is on my mind.

I know I mentioned wanting to try and make regular contacts with you guys in the radio, but tornado season is here so my antenna spend a lot of time lying in the ground, unhooked from my radio. It's just a fiberglass pole and I'm afraid it'll get broken. So, I haven't been in the radio hardly at all lately. Once the high winds aren't so much of a threat anymore I'll be back on. I'm just thankful I don't live anywhere near Mayflower or Vilonia.

So long and thanks for all the fish.