3/19: I just started building this site, stay tuned for more features: pictures, forms, news of HAM radio and EMS..

wow really nice of qsl.net to provide this!
KC2JEN

AMAZING! I am another one of those people who let the license expire and recently rejoined the hobby. First licensed in 1972(?) (WN2EWB) I rejoined the ranks in early 2002. This time around I could actually build a very cool station! (Actually many stations.) What fun! I enjoy homebrewing and writing software (What a nerd!) Active on 440 I am spending more and more time on HF. (Phil Thompson, Morganville NJ)

Mobile Station

  • ICOM 706: just a plain 706: I have the remote head hit on it: works great!
  • Uniden 780XLT: great scanner: fast.. way more channels than I will ever use! (I dedicate to EMS)
  • Kenwood TM742: the latest addition: hold on for the short review
  • Tarheel “ScrewDriver” Antenna: amazing thing: I connected it and started making contacts: it was that easy... well installing it took a while but well worth it.. how do you build a mobile station without one of these!
  • AM-Com controller: automatically tunes the screwdriver for lowest SWR: essential for mobile operation over multiple frequencies
  • GALLS: okay not really a piece of equipment: They sell Fire/Police/EMS gear including radio mounting hardware: a must visit for the seriously overwired!
  • GMRS: a Pryme for use with the family

Home Station

  • ICOM 756PRO: Awesome radio! You can get some great deals right now with the PROII being introduced.
  • LDG AT-11: Gee whiz I dont have to tune the grid and plate nor even the tuner. This gadget tunes the antenna automatically: very cool (but a bit loud!)
  • MFJ vertical: It works okie dokie but I am never satisfied with any antenna (except the Tarheel!)
  • G5RV dipole: I will probably replace it one day. it works but ....
  • Kenwood 9100S: Dates back many years, picked it up in a trade for a computer.
  • Misc: A coax switch, ground rods etc

Test Equipment

  • The MFJ antenna analyzer is worth every penny. SWR, frequencies, loss measurements all in a simple unit.Yep eats batteries and some people received duds, but mine works and is invaluable!

Walkabout: (cute term isnt it! Dundee can get away with it, why can’t I?!)

Now this is really silly: I often have to carry a Pager (for EMS service and a cell phone. Then I find myself with:

  • Uniden BC245XLT: handheld scanner: great sensitivity, fast scanning, a bit bulky but works well (but I have way too many radios! Should I sell this one too?)
  • Kenwood TH77A: WOW! 2M/440 and covers our rescue squad’s frequencies (RX): sorry folks this one is a keeper! (I like the swappable batteries)

For Sale: (now I just have to come up with prices!)

  • As I was thinking about going back into the hobby I bought an ICOM PCR1000: really impressive little computer controlled radio. Did everything I wanted it to. Some people complain about a lack of sensitivity, but I put it on a good antenna and never had any complaints.
  • Radio Shack PRO2067 Scanner. Trunk Tracking and every feature I wanted: but one! Ends up the display is just too small to use in the car, so I went with the Uniden 780XLT. (While the display is right size, the unit is pretty large!).
  • Yeasu 8100R: 2M/440 rig. While there are mixed reviews on eham.com, I have never had a problem but one: there is a fan in the back and while mobile it is a bit annoying.. seems in my new mounting arrangement where the radio is vertically oriented and not packed into the dash, the fan runs often: funny I never noticed it when it was buried! (I even have the remote kit which makes the fan noise ignoreable but I cannot use it. KF4YPK is listing his at $325, I will sell for $250.$225 if I dont have to ship it... I have the manual and mic)
  • MFJ 949E tuner: with the LDG I dont need this one anymore: works great but it is just lying around!

Looking for: I am looking for (cheap) rig control software for the 756PRO. I might just write some. I like the sliderule frequency display with bandmarkings, along with memories, mode settings and so on...I’m still thinking about the requirements: stay tuned in case I write something.

I’ve been playing with C# building web services. This is really neat stuff now I want to think of a useful program to build controlling the 756. I’ve already made a remote control program for the PCR1000 (uses VOIP for audio) when I found one free for Linux! I have to do some looking around to see what is out there.

Now what about an automatic propagation measuring service? You use this software which listens to all the beacons and records signal strengths to your location: then as the data is collected on a web site, it provides instant propogation information anywhere to anywhere based upon measurement. Any interest? Did someone already do this? (It is hard to come up with ideas that have not already been done!)

Planning for: If I really get more into HF, I am thinking of adding the FluidMotion 3 element beam: the design just makes sense to me, but the expense is a bit daunting. Also there are all those wires (need lightning protection)

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