This is an interesting link where some CA paragliders acknowledge interfering with Amateur Repeaters:

http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/forum/20111015/5858
http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/forum/20111016/5873
http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/forum/20060725/263

There seem to be some hams on the forum, but I can't tell if all of them are hams.  (some, but not all, of their names come back with valid calls in qrz).

I punched in 146.415 in the search part of their website and at least they are encouraging proper licensing.

Rob:
What is your call?
73,

Jay K0MU

You forgot the other difference (which is significant).... price....   most hams likely have enough wire around the house to build a W3EDP for free.

Jay K0MU

Agreed... not much of a balun... but it's inexpensive and probably is better than nothing.

Probably better to use a toroid. 

But, my point is that I'm trying to encourage amateurs to make their own antennas instead of buying a commercial antenna.

Jay K0MU

Forgot to add that I don't think it is even necessary for the 17 foot "counterpoise" to even be parallel to the main antenna.  It is used to move a voltage node a few feet away from your tuner.

Jay K0MU

How to make a 4:1 balun:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lYY7nkKrWo

I've used the W3EDP antenna design and it worked OK.  Even though I don't have deed restrictions, it's fun to experiment with cheap wire antennas.

Anybody out there use the W3EDP?  (google it)

Jay K0MU

Emil:
I have an idea to tell you but your email address on QRZ is bouncing.  Could you contact me via my email address listed in qrz.com?

Jay K0MU

"...or operate an amateur radio tower or equipment..." ---- operate equipment 

Recommend ARRL Volunteer Council program. 

Jay

Perhaps the professor from Gilligan's Island can help? (tongue in cheek). 

I do say this half seriously.....  Remember the episode where Gilligan could pick up radio signals from a filling in his mouth?  There may be some truth in fiction.

I bet that there is an oxidized wire in one of the sockets acting as a diode rectifying a strong local radio station.  The rectified signal could induce a mechanical disturbance by vibrating a metal clip in the socket acting as a speaker.  (like a crystal radio)

Perhaps having an electrician visit and tighten the screws on the outlet sockets could break loose any oxidation. 

Might even be simpler... plug something in the outlet and remove it.  This might affect the mechanical resonance of the clip that is acting as the speaker.

This should be a most interesting thread.

K0MU

Good question.  I understand that quite a few people have already spun the knob of the radio either at the Ten-Tec hamfest or as beta testers. 

I thought that perhaps if there are some hams out there who are almost ready to purchase a radio might want to consider this model along with all the other excellent brands out there ala K3, 590, etc. before they pick one out.

The list already has over 310 people on it.

disclaimer:  I am not affiliated with Ten-Tec in any way other than owning a couple of models.  Just spreading the word.

New yahoo group formed for new Ten-Tec Eagle:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenTec_Eagle

New yahoo group formed for TenTec R4030/20 QRP radio:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TenTecR40Series

K0MU

Register for the yahoo ft-857 group and look at this posting.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FT-857/message/24418