I respectfully disagree.  PSK31 is probably the most common mode (on HF), and allows live one to one conversations that you seldom find in APRS.

After that RTTY is popular, especially for contesting, Slow Scan TV, and some of the other modes I unfortunately can't name.

Jump in, the water's fine!

Bill

I think the other point to be gained is that your coax connections need to be taped to better water proof them.

Very interesting problem. Thanks.

Bill

You have several choices to make. First, pay top dollar for one of the rig interfaces or build your own interface for probably less than $25.

Second, you aren't going find any off the shelf setup that will connect up to all the rigs you own, without modifying them in several ways, though it can be done.  

Next is whether to plug into the mic or data jack.  Many times you have to unplug your mic while doing data when using an interface that is keying VOX to avoid xmitting room noise.  If you use the radio speaker output to the computer, you can't hear the radio, unless the rig interface has a speaker jack.  Further you have to fiddle with the volume whenever you switch from data to voice/cw.  By using the data jack the audio level is constant to the computer, you can hear the radio and adjust the volume to a comfortable listening level and you don't have to worry about picking up stray noise in the shack.

I would suggest you choose one rig to to start with, probably the 746 if you want to do HF.  Use the data jack on your radio.  

If you want to build your own interface this is a great starter project that will take just a few hours.   All the parts can be found at Radio Shack (I just built one a month ago).  

I'll email you a schematic for a signal converter and keyer that will both allow your computer to key the radio for any digitial mode, and as a bonus, give you ICOM CI-V connectivity to remotely control your radio with programs like Ham Radio Deluxe simultaneously.

There is lots of plans on the web for fancier and better interfaces you can build, and folks here would be glad to review your proposed plans and pinouts.

73, Bill

p.s.  You can can start receiving digi signals and play with your software right now by connecting a jumper from your radio speaker jack to your computer Mic In or Line In jack.

I can't answer all your questions but....

- To fit in the extra 10 feet, can you add some vertical zig zags?

- To use it on other bands you are going to need a tuner.

- I don't know if your matching plan will work, though I think it would be useable on one band only.  For best efficiency, twin lead with a balun (probably 4:1) would be best for multi band use.   You could put the balun just outside your window and run coax into the shack for convenience.   I made just this setup from radio shack parts at xmas for use with my QRP rig.  Works great on 40M, 30 & 20.

Good luck.   Don't be afraid to cut & try!  Thats the heart of experimenting and learning.

73, bill

Cross talk or radiatio from telephone or CATV lines buried more than a foot or two deep should be almost nil.  

If you are burying your radials, they shouldn't be more than a couple inches deep, anyhow.  Better still if you are just laying them on the surface and using wire staples to hold them down.

Yes, the characteristics can be permanently changed if you overheat it.

bill.

Congrats on the new ticket!

73,  Bill

Hi Torgeir!

Check this out: http://www.radiomods.co.nz/kenwood/kenwoodts870.html

Bill

I think the police did the right thing, and showed remarkable restraint in not shooting her dead on sight!

Imagine another student wandering into the halls of  a hospital dressed in scrubs, carrying dissected calves organs dripping blood.   When arrested she exclaims "Why are you arresting me?  I didn't take them out of any patients' body?"  

b.

W7FG has the manual for $5.  Cheap!
http://www.w7fg.com/search.php?find=500

Can't find anything else for you.  Good luck.

Bill

Just a reminder... the auto-tune function only works on the HF bands.  To tune 6m you must push and hold the tune button.

Bill

The LAST thing one wants to be choosing a radio for is to repair it under disaster field conditions, unless you are planning on buying an "Extreme O-scope, extreme signal generator, extreme function generator and extreme solder repair station" too.   Further, changing frequencies with xtals went out nearly 50 years ago.

One of the concepts realized in the last ten years has been developing radios designed for use in the bush without external electricity.  The United Nations did this first and other radio manufacturers have them.  Some examples:

Eton radio, sponsored by the American Red Cross:
, am/fm, shortwave, hand powered, with light siren, etc:
http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=6272

Grundig and Eton have similar radios all in the US$50 price range.  

73, bill

Welcome Scott!

I too recommend that you get hooked up with your local ham club.   Also, join the ARRL so that you start receiving QST, the monthly magazine which has beginners articles and info on radios and equipment.

Getting started can be a little daunting with all the strange terminology and procedures, but there are plenty of hams who will be glad to take you under the wing.

Feel free to keep posting if you need more help.

73, Bill

Download here:

http://bama.sbc.edu/dentron.htm

Elecraft makes wonderful kits with great instruction manuals.  I've built the KX-1 QRP CW rig, and their little 4:1 balun.   Heathkit was never this good.

Bill