Thank you for the advice.  The antenna manual looks helpful. 

The ham sticks are a compromise.  Every thing is but they are portable and that was the big requirement.  since they are relatively cheap it is not a big deal not to buy a 20m etc set. 

I picked up a 40 meter rotatable dipole made by MFJ which I am going to mount on a tripod.  It is basically 2 hamsticks.  I want to know if I can run 20 meter through the antenna without a major penalty in signal loss.  I will be running it through a tuner.  Since 40 meters is a multiple of 20 etc I would think that there should not be any problem.  Am I correct or is my logic off. 

thanks

David 

I ordered 2 UV-3r 2 watt hh duel bands.  I am very happy with the performance.  I can reliably hit the repeaters with decent audio.  I have 2 Icoms and the Baofengs are not the same class.  (Acually easier to program).  But they are $50.00. 
The radios were purchased for hamfests, and to track down the GF at the mall (or wally world).

I think China is going to enter the Ham radio market in a big way. 

What about a deep cycle battery with a trickle charger.  I use one for many signal experiments when I need a clean power suppy.  Unplug the charger when using and plug in when done. 

Has anyone had any luck doing QRP on 6 meter.  I am thinking of getting a 12 watt ssb transciever and using a roof mounted mag mount vertical on my truck.  I thought it would be fun to have a mobile shack and try it.  6meter is interesting because of the ability to use the radio to monitor solar activity more so then most HF bands. 

I already have a 40 meter and It will be on the air as soon as I figure an antenna solution.  (maybe this weekend  )

Thanks

what are the basics to get a working HF Shack.  I Just bought a SSB transciever and I want to know if there is any other items (other then a antenna) and what are they.

thanks

David

Why do women not become hams?

Go to a hamfest and look at the attendees.

I think you will get the point 

I am trying to build a VLF antenna for a research project.  Since copper wire prices  has gotton out of control I have though of using Aluminum electric fence wire for the antenna and loading coil.  It is for a reciever only.  Will the difference in the resitance create much reduction or will it work well. 

Thanks

David

The Black box Zenith radios are great radios.  I have one and i would take several more.  It is a great sounding radio.  The large wood box causes the audio to resonate like a stereo speaker so the sound is far better then the small speakered/cased radios of today. 

If anyone has one they do not want I am sure I can find a home for it. 

I live in an area in MO that has a similar problem.  There are 2 clubs.  One is so clannish that I was told that new members were not really wanted.  The other told me that their purpose was not to help new hams get started or on th air but to maintain the repeater and have a nightly net.  No one has offered to help me with anything. 

I want to try HF (40 meters looks good) and have a lot of questions that could be answered by an elmer. 

At this rate the younger potential hams are going become fewer and fewer.

It would be a challenge wouldn't it/   

Oh I forgot to mention I am interested in SSB.  CW is not an interest. 

I want to get a transciever or a receiver-transmitter pair to set up a station.  I am low on funds so the new ones are out of my price range. 

I prefer tubes simply because I can work on them.  I do not need all of the toys on the radio, just a good solid transmitter and reciever.  A VFO is prefered but not necessary. 

Any recommations?  Suggestions?

Thanks
N0SOY

I have a number of shortwave recievers.  I like to listen to foreign broadcasts.  I have noticed in the recent several months that I can not get much of anything while tuning up and down the bands except the religous and tinfoil stations.  This seems to be pretty consistant from 3.00Mhz to 28.Mhz.  I tend to listen before going to bed around 12:00 PM Central time.  It does not matter what radio I use.  I have a Grundig g6, g8, Hallicrafters s383 and s-108, Zenith Transocianic, and an assortment of others.  I am using the included whip antenna or a 10 ft wire.  
Is the propagation really bad right now?

The interesting thing is that the Transoceanic is the most sensitive, selective and best sounding of all of my dozen shortwave receivers.