Thanks everyone.

W1NK - your explanation really helped. I'll be driving it with a Yaesu FT-920 using a key buffer.

I'm picking the amp up tomorrow so hopefully I'll be operational in the next day or so.

I have a FL-2100B and I've read the manual but I'm still a little confused about ow to tune it. The concept of adjusting the plate etc just seems to confuse me.

Can anyone explain the process in plain English?

Thanks.

I disagree some with the "elbow to finger tip" advice.

First figure out how yo want to operate - sitting upright in a chair, reclining or relaxing in the chair. Then put the items that require the most tuning/interaction at a comfortable distance. If yo like to lean back in your chair then leaning forward and covering that "elbow to finger tip" distance can get tiring very quickly.

Also remember to leave adequate ventilation height between your shelves. Rigs can get quite warm and need room for air flow.

20 years ago when I started out as a programmer I had an experienced programmer give me some advice that applies to this as well.

He said "the only thing dumber than a user is two users".

For gray line mapping I use DXAtlas -http://www.dxatlas.com/

I have the ARRL Antenna Book that may give you some ideas. Stop by my house or give me a shout and I'll meet you with the book.

Probably this link - http://www.vanityhq.com/

On the left navbar there is  a link to the maps.

That's what I did - applied for my intials.

Thanks everyone!

That age me the information I needed. Now I just have to figure out the best way to  do it. I'm leaning towards making an interface box that handles the power then has a jack so that i can plug different radios into it.

I think that would be better that just wiring a cable to it.

Thanks.
That helped.

I picked up a Motorola amplified speaker (NSN6027A-1) at the local hamfest/flea market last week. Does anyone have any information on how to wire this up? I know it needs power to work but I don't know the voltage. I found a couple of references from Google but they seem to contradict each other and are very confusing.

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks that was amazing.

I just had a couple of places removed from my nose yesterday. Turns out they weren't cancerous but it does get you to thinking about it.

I have the 718 that I use for HF and I like it. Great price, easy to use for a first rig and good performance.

I wouldn't worry about 6 meters unless there is a local repeater that is used a lot. Sure you can DX it but that isn't a big thing right now at this point in the solar cycle. You can always upgrade your radio later after you have some more experience.

Lots of good advice.

I will offer one suggestion - quit calling CQ and look for other stations calling CQ.

I too didn't have much luck calling CQ and though I would never get an HF contact. So I switched tactics and started scanning the bands for other hams calling CQ. I found that on most days here on the east coast I can hear several DX stations working out of Europe.

Look for stations that are completing contests and you can usually make contacts both abroad and in the states.

As the others have stated the decision should be based on what kind of contacts you want to make and what you can put up for an antenna.

My recommendation is to get separate HF and 2 meter rigs. I say this because it will allow you to work both 2 meters and HF at the same time. Several of the guys I talk with on the repeater use it to inform each other of HF DX stations. I also use it for chatting with the locals while searching for something on HF. Sort of the best of both worlds though it will require 2 antennas (or more).