I'm going to go out on a limb here with an observation that may be wrong but just my thought anyway;  If the present NCTs wanted to learn the "majic of CW" they wouldn't be NCTs in the first place, now would they??

Thanks for that great question and two responses.  I have wondered about that very thing because I have an older 2 meter multi-mode that is "toneless".  

It's kind of a shame though, it would sure make for a quick 'n' dirty way to have CTCSS now that it's all the rage in repeater inputs.

Yes and yes, although I'm not sure what they are going to do with the CW privileges but they will have them.

I will let the true antenna gurus handle which ratio to get but I will suggest that which ever you end up with just be sure it is a current type and not a voltage type balun.

I'm sure there are those that will jump in to berate me again, but the solar cycle really doesn't have much if any affect on the bands above 6 meters.....unless you consider there to be a correlation between solar activity and aurora activity.

The weather is the biggest factor in extended 2 meters (and up) propagation,  ie. tropospheric enhancments.  

Watch those fronts coming at you where there is a pretty big temp. difference between the front side and the back side of the line, 2 may be perking up.

As far as polarization; I don't know if one is better or not for working out a bit but SSB and CW are well established as being horizontal and cross polarozation will negatively effect the close in stuff.
Don't get me wrong; using a vertical in much better than staying off SSB/CW because you do not have a horizontal antenna.

There are some things to consider.  Activity is usually localized and the activity where you are may need to be investigated....it's sort of the "...chicken or the egg" deal.
Even with a great set up covering a few hundred miles, there is a finite number of stations to work.  You may end up with the same situation that took the shine off 2 meter FM.

Two meter SSB is fun to be sure and if you give it a try, PLEASE, PLEASE don't rag chew on the calling frequency (144.200).  Establish the QSO and QSY.  WE have that situation in my area and it has all but driven me away from keeping an ear on the band.  

I must second suggesting MTS.    Scott is about as good as they come and very, very reasonable.....not to mention, fast.

Whether it's a 6 to 1, 4 to 1, 1 to 1 I would sugest strongly that you make sure it's a current type balun.  Voltage types won't handle the higher current generated with a high VSWR.

What worked well for me was..

1) go in thru the ACC plug if at all possible.

2) disconnect the mic (its live all the time for VOX operation), kill the compresser (they should all be killed anyway!) and mute all the cutsie sounds your computer makes.

3) leave the mic gain and power level where you have it for SSB and vary the the drive with the interface or the computer until it shows 5, or 10 watts RF OUTPUT. I can't imagine needing any more but hey, what ever make you happy.

This will insure nothing is over driven, won't spatter over others and that you will have a beautiful set of "railroad tracks" on PSK.

If it is designed for 45 to 50 megs, you're more than half way home.  Unfortunately, you didn't mention it's operating mode: AM SSB or FM.

You might see if you can look around and find the main frequency reference crystal.  Hopefully it is marked and even more hopefully in Arabic numbers.  

This will let you know how many times it multiplies to get to the designed output frequency then just figure backwards and get a new crystal.

If its PLL, you may skate by with "diddle-sticking" it.

If it is FM, try listening around for baby monitors and the older cordless phones, it may give you a hint if its working at all.  If its like most of the Chinese stuff at Wally-World, etc., it may only be good for throwing away.

Don't sell the 735 short...it is a great radio and still commands a fair return when in good shape AND that silly little door is with it.  In my 47 years as a ham, rigs have come and rigs have gone but my 730 and 735 will have to be fought over in my estate.

That being said, MTS Service in Washington state is as good as you will find on planet Earth!

  

""Come on you crusty Old Farts! Are you guys gonna welcome us aboard or not? We want Elmers and it's up to you to help us. What's it going to be?""

With that atitude I can just see 'em lining up to help.

Bum light dimmers, wall warts, cheapie electronics internal power supplies, TV's that keep the PS running even when off and the old standby, doorbell transformers are the usual suspects.

Good luck, these mystery noises can drive a guy nutts.

I got some old, bent, beat up whips free from the local highway patrol radio repair shop awhile back and made a plain old 4 radial 1/4 wave ground plane.    

The VSWR is 1.3 at 52.525 and is below 1.6 to 1 around 50.150.

Don't let those "I worked a million miles with my (fill in the blank)" impress you; concentrate on local coverage.  When 6 is open you can work all over the place with a screw driver stuck in the antenna connecter.

For local stuff, you should be able to make due with a vertical. Naturally, you will have no gain nor side or back rejection.  One last vertical grimis....it seems most of the noise in the world centers on, in or near 6 meters and is vertical in nature.  

For what you seem to be interested in, an omni (or more properly; a sorta' omni) might not fill the bill.  They are pretty hi-Q so you won't be able to wander very far off the frequency it is tuned for.

BTW... when the band is open, polarization becomes a none issue.

One last, last thought.....try stuff!.  A lot of times things will work because no one told you they can't.

73,
Bob

'Dummies' are great also for checking beyond the transmitter..... ie., at the far end of a coax run to see if a problem is in the transmission line or the antenna itself; possible a connecter.

When used with a watt meter, you can see just how "low loss" a hank of coax is.

End results....you may not "need" one but they sure are handy and for what they cost "ya' just should ought'a have one".