I've had a bunch of QRP rigs over the years -- some monoband and some multiband. I have an MFJ rig for 20 meter CW that I've used successfully to work the world.

It drifts a bit from a cold start but soon stablizes. I hear the newer model ones don't drift. They are affordable and easy to operate. Get the CW filter. It's worth it and really needed to operate on a crowded band.

I think the MFJ fills the bill as an affordable decent little radio easy to operate and it's already assembled, of course.

73, Dave, N4KZ

Twenty years ago I lived a block from another ham. The only time we interferred with one another was when we both tried to operate on the same band and mode at the same time.

We both liked 40 meters but if he was on SSB and I was on CW, we had no problem. But if we both tried 40 SSB at the same time, that didn't work -- unless we talked with each other or got into the same roundtable, for example.

But there are some great filters on the market today that might help you guys coexist rather easily. But the most important thing is to talk with him before you buy to gauge how cooperative you all can be and what your favorite bands and modes are. Chances are it would work out fine.

Back in those days in suburban Detroit, I counted 20 hams that lived within a mile radius of my house but I seldom had any interference.

73, Dave, N4KZ

If you're interested in DX and contesting, there is a new club in Frankfort, KY. The Capital City Contest & DX Group is open to all central Kentucky hams who enjoy DX and competitive operating.

The club will be operating NX4DG during the CQWW WPX contests.

For more information, contact Dave, N4KZ, via n4kz@arrl.net.

Check W2ENY's web site. He sells an adapter plug for $35 -- much less than Icom gets. The 706s I have heard with Icom desk mikes sound much better than those using the standard hand mike.

73, Dave, N4KZ

I should add that the W2ENY cables have the interfaces built into the connector. Yes, they are that small.

N4KZ

OK, here is the information you need. As you probably know, the IC706MKllG (and other variations of this rig) are not designed with an amplifier switching circuit. Most rigs designed for home station use have these, of course, but apparently the Icom engineers felt the radio would primarily be used mobile and saw no need for a relay output for switching an amp.

However, there is an easy solution. Two pins on the 13-pin DIN plug on the back of the 706 supply the necessary voltage to switch an amp. You have two choices. You can homebrew an interface. K6XX has such plans on his web site. Or W2ENY sells a couple of interface cables -- one for modern amps like your Ameritron and another for older amps, e.g. Heath SB200, for example.

Good luck and have fun.
73, Dave, N4KZ

Just curious. What kind of battery life could one expect with the internal battery now being shipped with the FT-817ND? I think the rig automatically reduces its output to 2.5 watts when battery powered. And, of course, I realize battery life depends on the mode used, listen vs. transmit time, etc. But if someone were to operate CW at 2.5 watts out, what's a ballpark prediction?

Oh boy -- aren't we confused? K calls for west of the Mississippi and W calls for east of the Mississippi River? That NEVER applied to amateur calls. It was and is strictly a broadcast station callsign procedure.

After the U.S. began using the W and K prefixes for amateur calls in the 1920s, W designated the mainland U.S. while calls with the K prefix were territories, e.g. Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands. That system was changed when the supply of W 1x3 calls for the mainland was exhausted. K prefix calls were pressed into service for the mainland and the modern-day calls of KH6, KP4, KL7 and others came into being for the territories, some of which are now states.

Some of the other posters have the sequence of events out of order as to which classes of license got what format callsign and when -- but for the most part most of the information here is accurate -- give or take some.

73, Dave, N4KZ

A new ham club has been established in Frankfort, Ky. The Capital City Contest & DX Group is an HF, contesting and DX-oriented club. For more information, e-mail Dave, N4KZ, at n4kz@arrl.net.

John,

I have been using WinLog32, a freeware program, since 2000 with excellent results. It's not a contesting logging program. It's for general use although it will keep all your operating stats for you on states, countries, grids and zones worked. It won't control your rig although you can use it in conjunction with a CD-Rom database. I think it can be made to control a rotator box.

It does a LOT for no $$$ at all. You can't beat that.

Do a Google search for it and download and install it. You will be amazed at how good a freeware program can be.

73, Dave
N4KZ

Michael,

I can't fault your choice of rig. The IC-706Mk11G is an excellent radio that does many things well. I use one in my car and really like it.

The Buddipole is an excellent portable antenna. My only question would be how important is the portability issue? If not, a dipole hung between some trees will work better and cost less. But if space is at a premium and/or you really want or need a portable antenna, I can't fault the Buddipole either.

73, Dave, N4KZ
See you on the air!

This incident occurred two years ago and involved my attempt to purchase an RT-11 remote tuner from LDG Electronics. Before the situation was resolved, I'd had a bad experience with the company and UPS. Fortunately, it was finally resolved to my satisfaction but not before I had to purchase a second tuner -- which I then received credit for when the original tuner showed up 2 weeks after the order was placed.

Here were the highlights:

1. When placing the order, I explained to LDG I needed the shipment sent to my office. My home (I've since moved) was in a rural area and delivery truck drivers had a hard time finding my residence.

2. Despite the instructions to ship to my office, LDG still shipped to my home. As I would later learn, the UPS driver couldn't find my house and left the package behind the shed at some other residence. UPS then told LDG when it inquired about my order that it had been delivered. (But  not to the correct home.)

3. This led LDG to mistakenly assume that I was lying about not receiving the shipment. At first, LDG ignored my e-mails and then when I persisted on a resolution since they had my money and I had nothing, a company rep called me at work and was very hostile and accused me of sending them harrassing e-mails. I never used foul language or threatening language in my e-mails but I did insist the matter be resolved.

4. Finally, I was able to persuade the LDG rep that I was telling the truth. He explained that they frequently encountered dishonest individuals who receive shipments but claim they didn't and demand another piece of merchandise. I have no experience with such but if it's true, shame, shame on some members of our fraternity.

5. I was going on a business trip in a few days and LDG offered to ship me another tuner to my business destination which they did and I received fine. But I had to buy the second tuner with their promise to reimburse me for the original one when it turned up.

6. Meanwhile, I began calling UPS and finally spoke with the supervisor of my driver. He claimed the driver said he'd left it behind my shed. I assured him I had searched my yard and property repeatedly and there was no package there and never had been.

7. Two weeks after the original order, the first tuner showed up on my front porch at home without explanation of where it had been for all that time. I suspect the driver remembered where he'd left it and went back and picked it up and delivered it to the correct house this time.

8. During much of the ordeal, LDG and UPS pointed fingers at one another furiously. In fact, they were both right. Each had messed up big time. If LDG had shipped to the correct address -- my office -- in the first place, none of this would have happened. UPS blew it by delivering to the wrong residence -- as I feared they would -- and refusing to admit it.

9. I returned the orignal tuner to the company and promptedly received credit for it. I like the tuner and was happy with the ultimate resolution. But in my 35 years on the ham bands and purchasing equipment from numerous vendors, I'd never once had one of them call me on the phone and accuse me of being a liar and a dishonest cheat who sent harrassing e-mails. None of that was true and it left me with a real bad memory of  a situation that never should have occurred if only they had followed some real simple instructions about where to ship the original tuner.  

My attempt to buy an antenna from Force 12 was quite an adventure and not in a good way.

I placed an order for a C3SS but was asked if I was attendind the Dayton Hamvention. If so, I could pick it up there and save the shipping. It sounded good to me.

When I introduced myself at their booth and asked for the antenna, I knew I was in trouble by the body language. They hemmed and hawed and finally said to come back in two hours. The antenna was on the truck and they would get it off.

Two hours later, the story changed. They had failed to bring it with them but they promised they would ship it within 10 days of returning to California. Ten days turned into 8 weeks and still no antenna. At first my e-mails were ignored and then I stepped up the assertiveness. No foul language, no threats, but I told them they had deceived me and I didn't like it.

At that point, I received an e-mail telling me they didn't like my tone and they were canceling my order!

Wow. They had conducted themselves in a dishonest way from the start and then blamed me!

At that point, I didn't want their antenna. I called Tennadyne and they shipped me a new log periodic that day and I had it two days later. Now that's how to do business!!!

I've made two purchases from RadioWorks. The first one went fine but the second one left me wondering what in the heck was going on.

A holiday weekend was approaching and I ordered several items from RadioWorks to erect a new antenna. When the shipment arrived, it felt very light. Sure enough, the 300 feet of antenna wired I had ordered was not in the box. Finally, in small print on the invoice I found the words "Out of stock." The company carries several types of wire and if someone had called or e-mail me -- they had my number and e-mail address -- I would have made a substitution. After all, I was keen to put up the antenna and wouldn't have many other opportunities given the time of year.

I e-mailed the owner and told him I was disappointed with their lack of communication with me. He apologized over the matter. In a second e-mail, I told him they had also charged me for 3 insulators that were omitted from the order. He replied he was sorry and would get the insulators out immediately. Two weeks later, still no insulators. Then my credit card bill arrived and I saw that RadioWorks had issued me a credit for the 3 insulators -- again without any communication.

I wasn't out any money but I was very frustrated with the lack of communication and the lack of follow-through. The upside of this is I found a good local source of antenna wire (a local electrical supply house) and bought a 500-foot spool. I won't have to order antenna wire from anyone for quite a while.

I've used mag mounts on rental cars without incident. But I was sure to mount the antenna only after I left the rental agency and remove the mount before returning the car.

If they don't see the mount, there will be little reason for them to examine the roof or trunk for scratches.

Prolonged use of mag mounts do cause small scratches but I never had any problem after only a day or two with a rental car.

Enjoy!

73, Dave, N4KZ