Thanks guys, I have learned a lot from your posts.  The internet is a great source of information.  The biggest problem is separating fact from opinion, hearsay, and just plain guessing. 

  Al, n7ioh

OK, that makes since to me now.  Now the buried radials, any difference if insulated wire is used vs bare wire?  I have a large amount of insulated military wire I thought I might use for a buried radial system.

Al, n7ioh

Richard, very interesting.  I do have a question though, how tall is an 88 degree vertical?  At 3 MHz I would think it would be quite long.  Do you know if the results have been verified since 1937.  Just curious because measuring equipment has become much more accurate since then.  I remember reading that after a certain number of radials there was not much improvement.  I don't recall the number but it was way less then the 113. 

Al, n7ioh

OK, I got it.  That was simple.  Thanks. 

Al, n7ioh

I read somewhere that buried radial that are longer then the height of the vertical are not needed (detuning maybe).  So a 43' vertical that operates on the low bands won't benefit from longer radials then 43'.  I did not believe it when I first read it but it always stuck in my mind.  Is there any truth to this? 

      Al, n7ioh

If you read K3CB's letter to Palstar.  He notes problems with the EQUIPMENT, thus it is 100% proper for him to review the product and note the problems he found with the equipment and briefly his attempt to get the problem corrected by Palstar. 

There are hundreds of equipment reviews posted in eHam.net where the reviewer explains the problems with the equipment and their efforts to get the problem fixed.  While I agree that a review written solely or with it's prime intent to be a review of manufacture or seller would belong here. 


     Al, n7ioh

It seems to me that it may not only be a complaint about the company but also the product.  I would write it up in the reviews.  Explain the problem with the product, manual/schematic and note that you had contacted the manufacture and received no reply. 

I think it's sad that Palstar seems to have such a hit and miss with both his products and customer service. 

         Al, n7ioh

I did not know EQF is out of business, when did that happen?  There web site is still up and their latest patch for WIN-EQF is dated January 7, 2010.  Have you tried contacting Tom Dandrea N3EQF at  n3eqf@eqfsoftware.com


Al, n7ioh

Brian, a lot of the newer radios sound pretty good if set up correctly.  Here is a link to a great web group that is all about AM.  
http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php

AMfone has helped me a lot, just reading the other information posted there I am learning a lot from these guys.  If you can't find the information you are looking for, just ask.  They have a section devoted to, "Modern Rigs" that I found useful.  If the radio has AM you most likely can get on AM without too much trouble.  The biggest problem I have found is not having enough power at times.  Anyway, check out the link.  Good luck.

Al, n7ioh

Scott, that's a good question about what would the general public be interested in.  Guns seem to be quite popular in many states.  I think that could be a problem in some states though.  I think you hit the nail on the head, it's the economy, people are not buying.  What use to work is not working as well.  I think I would try and keep it something a ham operator would want.  The reason being you and your club have connections there.  Most hams can use more equipment, a HT or 2 meter for the car, can't have too much gear right.  I would check with HRO, AES or some other ham radio stores to see what they are selling a lot of.  You are going to want to raffle something that is popular and in demand.  You are going to have to get the club members behind the raffle to sell tickets.  Maybe set up a booth at the next hamfest to sell the tickets.  Use some of the same advise I gave to Steven about getting the word out.  You can't sell tickets if you don't get the word out.  I still think the free shipping within your state is a great idea.  I live about 4 hours from Yuma, AZ.  I would be happy to take a chance on winning one of their drawings if they would let me buy the tickets from my home and ship the item if I won it.  Just my thoughts.

Al, n7ioh

Steven, just a thought about your raffle.  What about providing free shipping of the radio to the winner within your state?  You could email other Illinois clubs of your raffle and maybe even post it on your state ARRL website.  Even with the extra cost of shipping you should net about $250.  At $10 a ticket and free shipping I would be more likely to buy tickets from clubs anywhere in the state.  Get the information out on the local radio nets and ask them to pass the information on to others.  I would also think you could post your raffle on eHam or other web groups but you may have to limit it to Illinois residents only.  I don't know if you can sell raffle tickets outside of your state.  Just my thoughts.

Al, n7ioh

I read a while ago about a club that had their meeting at a restaurant and it was very informal.  They said it was a big hit with the members.  They would have dinner and discuss club activities and such.  Being a college club maybe at a pizza place during a slow time where you can get enough chairs for your group.  

I also belonged to a small ham radio club and we had breakfast every Saturday at 8am.  This was also our meeting if there was anything to discuss.  The club was mostly retired guys and the wives or girlfriends came also.  The restaurant provided a table for the guys and one for the ladies.  There were no regular dues.  If the club needed money for something we just passed a cup around and usually collected enough for what we needed.  Any extra went into the clubs checking account.  The cup was always at the breakfast so you could donate anytime.  More social than a meeting but there was never much club business to discess.  I think some people just get tired of the formal club meetings that last forever and not much gets done.  

Al, n7ioh

Rob, you could always contact some of the local hams to see if you could try what they are using for CW before you buy.  I did a quick check of your zip code on QRZ.com and found 13 hams in that zip code.  If there is a local club or ham store near there you may be able to check out some more CW gear before you buy.  

Al, n7ioh

How about the MFJ-1708 RF Sensing, TR switch.  It works with 12vdc or 110vac and will ground the receive antenna.

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1708

Al, n7ioh

Damage the radio?

I don't know about you, but if I lost a choke or a transformer, I would call that damaging the radio!  Just try walking into your local Radio Shack and telling them you need a choke or a transformer for a 50 year old radio.  For $25 I would guess you could replace all the electrolytic capacitors in all three radios assuming you buy them from someone like Mouser Electronics.  The other alternative is wait until something goes bad and then buy the needed test gear to test the radios.  No it won't be cheaper or faster to trouble shoot the old radios especially if you don't have the experience or equipment.  I think sometimes the guys that have all the test gear and experience forget that the guys asking the questions don't have their background or experience or equipment.  If they did they most likely would not be asking these questions.  

Just replace the old electrolytic capacitors, it's cheap insurance against future problems.  

Al, n7ioh