I have a "2-letter call" and frequently ops strain to hear the third letter that just aint there.  I will usually send, for example, CQ Cq Cq de K8AG [AR] signifying I am done with my call don't look for the third letter.  I still have problems sometimes.

73, JP, K8AG [AR] ;-)

FWIW I believe this cycle is lagging what would be "normally expected".  I really hope it picks up soon.

73, JP, K8AG

Use a CPO or your rig set up to just play the side tone without transmitting.  Record your fist and play it back.  Send a magazine article or book backward.  Check your copy on your own fist.  If you have a hard time copying yourself, others will as well.  Lots of ops concentrate on CW reception and never hear their own fist.  It is enlightening.

73, JP, K8AG

I agree with Mark.  I do pretty much 100% QRP now.  But remember that FT857 can be turned down to experiment with QRP.  100W is a good workable power level that you can use to hone yore operating skills.  Then crank the power down and see if you can work with 10W then 5W.  I am a BIG fan of QRP rigs now.  But I have been a ham for nearly 40 years.

My 2 cents.

73, JP, K8AG

I have to agree here.  I have been running Elecraft since I bought my second hand K2 a couple of years ago.  They simply have the parts and support.  The K2 had a couple of significant issues (disclosed by the seller).  With the docs and the available parts it now has been repaired and upgraded.  This caused me to go K3 and now KX1.  The K3 was a kit, but no soldering was necessary.  Still nice to know the pieces are available.

Its a box, true.  But a really fun one.  Enjoy the Yaesu.

73, JP, K8AG

You might try to generate some of your own files using a code practice oscillator.  Better if you can set up your rig to send the sidetone without transmitting.  Most rigs allow this nowadays.  You could record your code directly into the smart phone.  This way you will get sending practice as well.  Many ops never hear their own fist.  If you can't decode you own fist you may have sending issues.

You can send letters from a book or magazine.  Even backwards helps.

FWIW

73, JP, K8AG

Hi,

My town is planning on installing induction lighting for the street lights.  Basically they are fluorescent lights with no internal electrodes.  They are energized by electromagnetic energy from outside the bulb.

I am in favor of saving money.  But has anyone here experienced interference from these units?  Are they somehow rated or approved by the FCC?

Thanks for looking.

73, JP, K8AG

Fantastic!!!!

On my first QSO I was gripping my cheap key so hard it came apart.  I touched parts together to finish.

Now I do 99% CW.

73, JP, K8AG

Begali Simplex.  Reliable contacts every time.  Adjust as you like.  Inexpensive.

73, JP, K8AG

I believe the 35M has a crowbar circuit.  It is a circuit that shorts the power supply in the event the output wanders too high.  It is to protect your $10,000 radio from a failing $200 power supply.  Changing pass transistors and the 723 may require a crowbar trip level adjustment.  It is also possible that you damaged the crowbar circuit as well.

I am not familiar enough with the schematic to give specific parts to look at.  But Crowbars generally use SCRs to do their work.  My guess is either you damaged the SCR (unlikely), or you damaged the circuitry that controls the SCR to provide the short.

Hope this helps.

73, JP, K8AG

I have been using a ZS6BKW for well over a decade now.  It is my favorite antenna.  But I think if you like 80M and even 40M a lot, a G5RV jr might be better.  My tuner struggles on 80M.  I can operate.  But when an auto tuner is having trouble you know the efficiency can't be all that great.

Thought about building one for portable use.  Instead I created an OCFD that works well with my 40, 30, 20 PFR-3.

My 2 cents.

73, JP, K8AG

My best is over 40000 miles per watt.  That with a wire antenna in the trees.

Yes you can do ti with QRP.  Contests are a challenge with QRP.  I have run this entire year strictly QRP (5W or less).

72, JP, K8AG

Also note that many of the cheap charge controllers are NOT without their RFI.  They usually switch voltages to regulate and limit.  This wastes less watts to heat.  But it can be very bad for reception.

I designed and built my own linear logic controller.  Seems to do the job so far.

73, JP, K8AG

The only problem I have with printing my own cards is that color ink is extremely expensive.  On a per-card basis the purchased cards are cheaper.  But then you can't change the design until you run out.

My 2 cents.  Welcome to HF.  It's a blast.

73, JP, K8AG

30 years or so ago I splurged and got a Fluke 77 when they first came out.  Just replaced the battery on it for about the 5th time.  It has been a real reliable workhorse.  Compared to a new meter still seems in calibration pretty close.

I do miss having a capacitance/inductance scale.

My 2 cents.

73, JP, K8AG