Seems like it'd make a lot of sense for coordinating authorities to encourage digital PL on 10 .There'd still be interference , but you might only key one machine at a time .

Russ , W5RB

Beware of static ! Check the posts at this spot on the web.____
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/antenna/special/baloon.html ___Helium's not cheap , so consider that when choosing a size .  A Google search shows these sources , among others , for balloons. ____http://www.apexfocus.com/balloon/helium.htm____
http://www.southernballoonworks.com/index.htm______

Russ, W5RB

Yes , stacking discones will give you gain over a single antenna , but bear in mind that the spacing and feedline length between elements will tend to favor a narrow band of frequencies, defeating one of the major advantages of a discone, its wide bandwidth .I stacked 16  hand-built discones on 2 GHz commercial frequencies, and , while it did show some omnidirectional gain , frankly , there were better choices available .Good luck with your project , and keep thinking  "outside the box ".

Russ,W5RB

If there's a commercial tower of any kind in your neighborhood ,( broadcast,cellphone,etc.) it'll have a sign ,usually by the entrance gate , showing some federally required info , including site elevation and tower height above ground . Federally-operated waterways (reservoirs , lakes and such ) usually give their levels in reference to sea level , so if you're near one of those , call the manager's office or check the local weathercast for that info .

Russ,W5RB

Congrats on the new license .From the looks of your application , you'll get your first choice ,W8BBS , about September 3rd or 4th .You wouldn't qualify for a 1x2 ( like choices 2,3,5, and 6 ) unless you'd already upgraded to Extra prior to your application date .Go have all the fun you can .

73,Russ,W5RB

The applicant for an upgrade may keep his old callsign , or choose to have the FCC assign him the next available one from the sequence , in whichever group his new license class would normally be assigned from .There's a checkbox on the forms for that purpose .

Russ,W5RB

Your VE team just needs to see credible documentation that you passed the code and held the privileges .Acceptable proof would include : Old original licenses that specify Tech Plus ;any Tech license issued before 3/21/87 ;SOME older CSCEs , including those older than 1 year ; or documentation , including old Callbook listings , that show you held Tech Plus .In your case , any documentation of the Novice license that you previously held should be acceptable as well.Specific requirements for documentation may vary with your VE team , but that's the gist of it .
Good luck on the move up .

Russ,W5RB

1x2 callsigns are getting quite rare and are heavily competed for . To have a chance to be competitive , you'll really need to apply online , or just try to time your mailings so that they arrive on the day a call becomes available .FCC will take a check , but a money order would simplify things , I'd think .Your best source for vanity callsign info will be vanityhq.com   .There's detailed information there that'll answer almost any question . Tell your folks that paying through the ULS webpage is quite simple and secure . It uses 128-bit SSL encryption , so a recent version of Internet Explorer or Netscape will be needed .Good luck with the callsign hunt .

Russ, W5RB

Rod will work exactly the same as tubing , electrically , for given dimensions . If you decrease the diameter of elements, you may see some minor tuning changes , particularly narrower bandwidth .I've built simple 2m beams out of 1/8" brazing rod , and they worked
fine. Good luck with your project .

Russ,
W5RB

Given the very simple design of your beam , there's not a lot that could go wrong .I am presuming that you mounted the beam so that it's vertically polarized , otherwise you will see about a 20 db reduction in signal .  Check  your SWR or test with an ohmmeter for shorts or opens in your feedline ,chances are you'll find a connection problem at one end or the other .Good luck.

Russ,W5RB

As long as it's unencrypted , and you use recognized protocols to transmit it , it's legal as far as US rules are concerned .If the originator is not a ham , third party rules would apply to international traffic .

Russ,W5RB

And if your club IS ARRL affiliated , check out the "Volunteer Counsel" program . ARRL will refer you to a ham lawyer in your area who can help with incorporation , probably at greatly reduced cost .

Russ,W5RB

This one's good for US locations.

http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/gazetteer

Russ,W5RB

Here's a dandy one I found in a Google search , with maps ,too. http://www.calle.com/world/

Russ,W5RB

1005 / f is appropriate for calculating loop antennas or quad driven elements . 468 / f is intended to calculate dipoles or yagi driven elements . 234 /f is appropriate for 1/4 wave verticals . In each of these cases , the true wavelength is adjusted to compensate for certain properties of those applications , ie. , end effect in the latter two .
  The free-space formula I cited is the correct one to determine height above ground , though in reality , a foot or two difference from using one of the wrong formulas probably wouldn't make a nickel's worth of difference .  

Russ,W5RB