WAIT!  I thought it was a "bean" on the "mask".  Then again, maybe it is a magic bean.

Some previous thread that are on-point for this topic:
http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,3346.0.html
http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,28711.0.html
http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,3339.0.html

My third order from them, this year, is wending it's way to me as I write this. 

The board, CODEC and case come to a total of $312 USD + shipping and possibly customs duties.

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The 2013, 13 Colonies stations will operate from 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Savings Time (1300Z),on July 1st, to 12:00 PM (midnight) Eastern Daylight Savings Time, July 6 (0400Z, July 7)

There will be at least two S.E. stations per colony state. Also included will be Super contest stations, multi-operator Club stations and OM & XYL teams

The total QSO count for 2012 was 62,079 - expect MORE in 2013!

The theme for 2013 will be "Banners of the Revolution". The certificate is printed on heavy card stock. Stations working one state or, as many as all 13, will be eligible for the certificate. A "Clean Sweep" indicator will be affixed, for those lucky enough to "Q" all 13. A special endorsement will be attached for stations contacting our sister operation, WM3PEN, in Philadelphia, PA.

http://www.13colonies.info/

Aluminum tower is a good choice.  Our ARES group has a tower trailer with 3 x 10' sections of aluminum tower with a 10' mast.  It is easily raised with a hand winch.  Another 10' of tower would not make much difference, I suspect.  In the second page, note the individual holding a 10' section in one hand.

http://www.abouthamradio.info/TrailerSetup.pdf

Have you looked at the FT-7900.  Dual-band but not dual receive so it is less expensive than most.

Aluminum is good - plastic not good at all!

Look for plastic boulders at your landscape material supplier.

But, what software are you using with it?  Most of my favorite programs are non-functional with WIN8.

I never had any problem with a CableXpert product.  I count eleven cable assemblies of various lengths and connector types in my garage and in use.

A well run special event will NOT use the WARC bands - http://www.13colonies.info/BandsModes.htm

Twenty or more special event stations, operating simultaneously, would NOT be welcome on the WARC bands.

The way to use your tuner and antenna system properly is:

1) Connect the radio side of the tuner to the HF jack on the radio
2) Connect the antenna side of the tuner to the hf port on the duplexer
3) Connect the VHF/UHF jack on the radio to the VHF/UHF port on the duplexer
4) Connect the antenna port on the duplexer to antenna
5) For HF, set your antenna to the recommended settings then use the tuner to final tune
6) For VHF, set the antenna to the recommended settings and operate - the tuner is not used for this
7) For UHF, do not even attempt it with this antenna