Ham Radio Deluxe will send your log info over to Google Earth, showing the stations you've worked on the globe of the earth, freq, time, etc.

I thought it was kinda cute. Anything that gets us in front of the public in a non-dismissive way is a good thing.

Well, sure there is. In some areas. Not around here, though, alas...   

Is this the rig you really, really want? What I council against strongly, Padawan, is buying this one mostly for its VHF/UHF coverage. Down here in L.A. (Lower Alabama, y'all), there is precious little activity on these bands day in and day out. If six meters is open, cool, but most of the time it isn't, and there isn't much going on here even on the repeaters. If you like this rig, sure, go for it, but, again, I wouldn't buy it just because it covers VHF/UHF... A cheap little FT1900 will get you on 2-meters while you study for your General.

I'm not overly familiar with the 735, but generally speaking, you don't need an interface if all you want to do is control it with CAT commands, not run PSK31, etc. What you will need is an appropriate cable, usually a USB - serial one with the correct iCom connector. Check eBay.

Depends. If you are using the programming cable that came with the radio that is probably the problem. The "fake" prolific chipsets of these Chinese USB-serial cables will not work with the drivers downloaded by Windows. What you have to do is manually download drivers. See this for drivers and instructions:  http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-Drivers.html

 

Do yourself a favor and have a look at the IC-7200. 

I can't help you...but thanks for the memories. I had forgotten all about those things, one of which I used to learn the code back in the 60s. 

What I do, like a lot of other hams today, I reckon, is use eQSL, the online system. When I receive an eQSL I print it with Adobe Photoshop on 4x6 photo paper. Looks pretty good, I think. I do keep a stack of non-virtual QSLs for occasional use, but not many of 'em go out anymore.

Well, Rat Shack has tried to change with the times, if not in the way most of us would like. The Battery Club days are gone and are not coming back, I fear. 

That said, I'm basically OK with what is left. The local mall store has SOME parts. It is nice to be able to buy the simple things I might need on short notice like a coax connector, etc. and not have to wait for delivery. And, on my last visit, I was surprised to note the store had increased its parts inventory...