buy an amp.

You have several considerations here, one is that the transistors have a very finite gain, 10dB is about it.

You also need to consider the current draw and the power source.

If you reengineer the transmitter stage, you may find that you will also have to reengineer the power source.

The IC2AT was designed to operate off 8.4 to 10.8 volts, and they say NOT to exceed the 10.8V (BP8 battery pack, and never use the BP7).

If you need more output, the answer is buy a different radio or use an amp.

is English your second language?

why not run it thru EMT?

You might find it cheaper to just lay in metal conduit.

the cloning cable is just a thru cable, all you need are a couple of 4 circuit mini-phone plugs.

I've made a cloning cable as well as CI-V/CAT cable for my FT-50's.

email me and I can tell you where I found them

cpudoc1@gmail.com

nope, modify the "clarifier" (RIT) control.

I guess I don't Lon. I've only been active with SATERN since Maj Pat first posted the invite on Packet.

You are correct, this is not the forum for discussing the  failing of the people that control where Pat goes. But you know what, they won't answer questions anyway.

Maybe, since Pat's project has been so incredibly VALUABLE in NOLA, things might be different.

Perhaps if you leave your email address, I can answer.

Mine is on eHam, just click on my userID

I noticed he has not been in the call book for a couple years.

Lon, maybe you can explain to me why Pat was EXILED to some last chance post in Michigan and not kept in Chicago?

And it is my opinion that the short bald headed guy would LOVE to see SATERN just go away. I am sure you know who I am talking about.

K5ZN.
You say that hams have been rejected from assistance, do you have PROOF of this?

Unless you are a complete idiot, you know that HAMS ARE NOT FIRST RESPONDERS.

The area of operation must be secure brfore ANYONE except certified personell will be allowed in. It has ALWAYS been this way.

The fallacy that hams are shunned by FEMA is far from the truth, I know several that work with FEMA on a regular basis... perhaps it is YOU that FEMA does not want.

ARES or REACT? why limit yourself?

REACT is CB/GRMS - both covered by the FCC Part 95 rules. Rank right up there with MURS and FRS.

ARES is a worthwhile group, they try hard, but in many areas they are viewed as a JOKE, which leads to inactivity and a serious lack of training. After 9/11, Homeland Security has been trying to change this attitude. ARES works closely with the county and state EMA's.

If you want to help PEOPLE, check out SATERN. While it is an arm of the Salvation Army, SATERN is not a bunch of bible thumpers, but they do God's Work and use hams as a tool. Yes, many corps still need to join the 20th Century and understand the need for communications and computers. Katrina will bring them into the 21st Century, and HOPEFULLY SATERN will finally get the honors it deserves from the SA Commissioners.

Red Cross is a worthwhile group too, but too many DSHR types have seen some of the "bad hams" and the rest get painted with the same brush.

Ren, you've got plenty of room up there, you can build a copper J-Pole, you can use a "Discone antenna" if you want wideband unity gain, you can also put a 3 element yagi up here.

The quick answer is YES, you can put an antenna in the attic, it is done all the time.

Perhaps you can reinforce your position if you tell us what YOUR experience has been.

WHAT DISASTER RECOVERY HAVE YOU EVER DONE?

join the HFPack yahoo group.

Check out the HFPacker amp project.

QST had a construction article for a neat little FET amp a couple years ago.

Communications-Concepts in Dayton OH has boards for Motorola Applications Notes as well as the hard to find parts.

Tokyo High Power has a neat little amp that was made withthe FT-817 in mind, HL-50a

RM Italy sells a couple amps, the HLA-150 has received high reviews, but it is about 5in, 150 out.

Last resort, find a "CB linear amp", they are usually pretty wide, 10 to at least 40 meters, but you WILL NEED A LOW PASS FILTER and you can buy the parts from Communications-Concepts.

wow, this is like asking "boxers or briefs"

I can offer a suggestion from experiance. My first HF rig was a Heathkit HW-16. It served me well.

On a more serious note, a great HF rig is the Elecraft K2-100

if you REALLY wanted to be different, why not a BTX form computer, mount it in the trunk or under the rear seat, add a LCD panel in the dash.

Software config the monitor so it LOOKS like a radio.

You can also have all your music, video, APRS, maps on the computer. Add a WiFi card to the the computer and allow networking or more to the point, remote admin.