{ joined simply to get QST and to be kept informed of any changes to the rules the FCC makes. Now, with all these internet sites, I don't need QST to keep abrest of the FCC, but I still want the rag. The technical articles and all the ads keep me gretting it. The magazine is certainly worth the dues.

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Yes, no way for Techs to gain HF privileges will be found in the new rules as proposed.

If morse is no longer required, new techs can't test for it. Techs with the passed test will retain their priviletes but not other techs. No morse tests, so no access. You would then need to pass the General exam to gain HF.

Tech will become strictly a beginner's ticket. If you want HF, you will have to study for it just as all Generals and Extra-class hams do now.

Those of us who really, really wanted to get decent HF privileges studied for it and for many, it emaent learning to copy code at 13 or 20wpm. It meant that some of us had to really knuckle down to pass the tests. There is no "give away" if the proposal becomes the rules. You'll have to earn it by passing the written tests.

Sound fair to me. You'll remain a beginner until you can prove that you have the necessery knowledge required for HF operations. To prove it, you pass the tests.

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You have a manual and it has no schematics or  drawings to indicate how the power cable is wired? Nothing that has a little + or - indication? Nothing at all? Nothing with a chart that says what color wires are going to each pin? Something doesn't sound right. Perhaps you can grab a local who would be willing to take a look at it and see. I have never had equipment that needed to be wired to power that did not have the information contained in at least a drawing showing wires going to pins.

Good luck with it.

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"In The Old Days..."

Radios never came with "tune" buttons or menues. You transmitted a carrier and used an external antenna tuner.

When I am using my 897, I tune it with CW and key to an external tuner. And every radio I have had, I've tuned the same way if they had no automatic tuner. Perhaps I'm not doing it correctly, but that's what I do and I operate using the KISS method whenever possible.

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Assume that all prosigns are on the test and learn them all and what they mean.They could all be there, including KN In fact the code test may very well end with KN.

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No, sorry, I have to write down the basic info or I'll forget it. I do this with every contact I make on HF contacts regardless of mode.

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No, sorry, I have to write down the basic info or I'll forget it. I do this with every contact I make on HF contacts regardless of mode.

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Just a side note, you may need to reset the SWR meter if you leave it in line all the time.

Russ, you're right! If he's had a novice license he doesn't need any proof other than an old callbook entry or other acceptable documentation. I forgot all all about the callbook.

Since you plan to upgrade to general, it may be wise to get one of the HF, VHF/UHF as a first radio. You've been suggested on several rigs so far and you're going to have to do a lot of thinking before you buy the raido.

I lean towards the position that HF plus the other bands as a first radio. You'd be civered on every band and mode commonly used, and can use the radio on whatever bands your licens allows. You be able in a weeks's time to get on the air after passing the tests.

I favor Yaesu radios. Not for any particular reason, I just do. There are several allband allmode models under this catagory. FT-100D mobile, FT-857D mobil, FT-897D portable/base. FT-847D base. There are others, but the listed ones I am familar with. They are all multiband multimode rigs.

You can always start out with a handheld FM radio much cheaper but you would get very limited range and limited bands/modes with it.

Using any of those radio inside a house will require that you have a power supply of suffient capacity to power the raido on transmit. That is another $200-300.

Good luck!

I'm+ not sure hot stuff will work on birds. I own a cockatoo who will eat almost anything I give her. In vact, she loves spicey foods. I think its due to birds not having salavary glands. I suppose you could try hot seasoning on the cable and I think you'd need to use vasoline to hold it in  place.

Another possible step would be to just use metal conduit from the window to the base of the antenna. I will be moving to live with my daughter at some point this year and I will be putting up antennas. She has two dogs that will chew anything and I plan to use conduit over the cables. Plastic pipe might work, too.

Good luck with your setup...

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While leafning code you should put the things on paper so you can see what you've missed. Ahd the CW test will be scored  on your written copy if you get too many answers wrong.

I did a lot of CW in my first few yeas and just sort of drifted into copying in my head. I'd write down the call, op's name, QTH and RST. After that i found myself "copying ahead" and stopped writing the whole thing down. It will come with experince.
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Do still have your original paper license? It it says Tech+ and you kept it in force, you do not need to retest code. The FCC gives all techs the tech license now, including those with the code. The reason I ask if you still have that origianl license is that you can take that with you to the general exam, show it to the VE team and walk out a general when you pass the test. You not not need to retake the code to upgrade but you need to verify you've aready taken and passed it.

Good luck on your efforts to upgrade.

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The Yaesu FT-897 is a portable that can run mobile. Its a small base station size with a carry handel. Runs on DC power, 100 watts on all HF bands plus all modes. Also works 6m, 2m and 70cm. It's bigger than a mobile, but Yaesu makes a mobile bracket for it. It'll probably fit fine in a class A tractor cab. I have one that I bought for portable use with optional batteries. On batteries it puts out 20 watts. I think the current price is in the $800 range. It's a little heavy for hiking but it can be done.

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Check out a Steppir vertical. They have a web site but I am unsure of the URL. Google steppir and it should come right up.

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