I know an Extra Class ham who only works locals on FM because he says he doesn't 'know' anyone in other countries so why would he want to talk to them. He only wants to talk to those he knows locally

Me, I have nearly 10K QSOs in LOTW and just under 5K QSLs and still haven't made HR, much especially Top of the HR! And I only have 2 bands of DXCC but closing in on the other 3 quickly (think I am within 10 Qs on 40M and 10M and just over half way on 80M).

It's not so much the quantity of QSOs but the repetitiveness of QSOs that challendge your achivement levels. If all you work is contests, you may have a lot of QSOs but maybe not 5BDXCC or DXCC HR.

Gene W5DQ

I'm no CW guru but for the record, I use a homebrew memory keyer based on K1EL's K10 keyer module. My TS940S has NO internal keyer and the one in my FT-100D is sorely lacking in my opinion.

Gene W5DQ

If you need to remove it (as in the socket is keyed for NO pin at that pin location), you can use the removal tool PROVIDING the DB-25 isn't potted and non-accessible. If you just need to disable that pin, you can just cut the wire to that pin on the cable and leave the pin in place in case you need to re-use it.

Curious but what kind of amplifier hookup uses a DB-25? While I may not have had hands and eyes on every amp ever built, I have seen alot of them and none required a DB-25. Most only require a phon jack for keying, a coax in and out and perhaps a molex or DB-9 to radio for control lines. If you're using a DB-9, don't be mistaken thinking it is a serial port and try to hook it up that way. If it's a DB-9, it could just be a simialr 9 pin as used ina serial but wired totally different. Be careful.

Gene W5DQ

This is a recurring topic here and on the 'Zed. I know I've posted a couple about it over the last few months or so.

It boils down to the fact that many PSK31 ops are older guys who have brought over the 'ragchew' from SSB but can't think about operating and can't type fast enough or well enough to keep up a good flow so they cram everything they can imagine ever saying to another ham into a myriad of macros. Then when someone comes along for a QSO, they just do a macro dump and you get it all. The really bad thing is once the macro guy starts his dump, you have no other recourse other than to sit there and wait till he done and then ask him to NOT SEND MACROS (that will probably send him over the cliff) or spin the dial and look for another QSO. I have seen some extreme examples of macro dumping that started right off the bat with the FIRST exchange and ran for over 2 minutes of dumping every fact about the guy's life short of his shoe size and favorite 'physical activity' with the XYL 

The problem is not so much that they use macros (there is nothing wrong with macros if done correctly) but they use them way too excessively and incorrectly. The ideal way to use macros (IMHO) is to have short responses and facts in a series of macros that can be used in place of typing, stringing them together or one at a time as needed and not a single macro of your life's experiences, successes/failures and medical history. Yet that is exactly what many of them do!!! 

I finally had enough of it and now refuse to use PSK31 anymore. I have migrated on to other digital modes like JT65-HF. It might be boring as watching paint dry but at least there aren't any macros involved and each QSO is roughly the same 4 to 6 minutes long and then on to a new one.

Gene W5DQ

Me smells a discrimination lawsuit in the making 

Gene W5DQ

You can NEVER have too many knobs on a amateur transceiver.    You can, however, have way too many levels of menus to deal with. Between a knob and a menu entry to control an option, give me a knob anyday! Instant control and no stairstepping of levels. I really hate it when I can't get to the desired level for something because menu level 3 is too low and level 4 is too high. Unless the designers include a large number of intervals in the menuing control, the adjustment sometimes is just too coarse.

Gene W5DQ

Tell me about it. As the "L" segment manager for the W6 Incoming DX QSL buro, I get a bunch of new callsigns with every load of incoming cards. I notify these 'lids' and never ever hear back from them as to whether they want the cards or not. I eventually slash the QSO info and marked REJECTED by CALL (invalidate them) and throw them in the reject pile. I give these out as souveniers to new hams or prospective hams when the need presents itself.

Gene W5DQ

I, for one, QSL 100% and do not require a SASE or even a card from the other station. An email with the QSO info will get you a card if you're in the log.

The one's I really hate are the QSL cards I need that get mailed as a postcard with the stamp on the card. I get them and they are all smudged, dirty and worn out looking. I put my QSL cards in a 6 3/4 envelope and would like the same in return. If I want the card to be clean, I will request it and send a SASE to get it.

It's really a weird situation when I can get cards via the buro and they look much nice and clean than the ones from the PO.

Gene W5DQ

It's like everything in economics ..... demand determines the price. Look at the state of the ham radio NEW equipment market these days and it is apparent why the cost of good clean used gear is still holding its own. Just like you mentioned there are those on fixed incomes that can't afford a nice $3K to $5K do all modern IF DSP wonder rig. Even the $1K entry level rigs are beyond their budget. For them it is the used market or nothing. Filter out the carcasses and smoldering ruins of burnt up rigs and what you're left with rises in price very easily and quickly. I recall as a new ham 36 years ago, I would have sold my mother into slavery (figuratively of course) for a nice new TS-520S. The really funny thing is that the same rig, in good condition with all the options and pieces included, can fetch almost the same price these days on the used market. I once had a TS-830S and just loved the receiver in it. I stupidily traded it off and can't count the number of times I could kick myself for doing so. I would really like to have another but as pointed out, they go for a tidy sum in clean, good, working order.

Best advice anyone can give to those on fixed or limited incomes is try and find a local sale that either you can barter a trade or hold until you can scrape together the cash or start saving and hopefully your piggybank and a deal can converge somewhere along the way. If it is the issue of not knowing how to repair a rig, perhaps it is a good time to 'invest' in a fixer upper and do a little troubleshooting and learning along the way. I have repaired a few 'tech specials' for a few bucks after getting them cheap and had a nice little rig afterwards. The TS-440S is a perfect example. The 'DOTS' problem is sometime the issue why the current owner is letting it go and wants to get something out of it. The repair for this problem is simple to do and only requires a couple bucks of parts and a little time on the bench. Even if it turns out the rig is a 'bench queen' (essentially unrepairable), one avenue of retreat would be to part it out and sell the modules, wiring, swtiches, etc and make back a little or much of the initial outlay. The learning experience gained would be well worth the investment time and any 'lost' money (hopefully little of this  )

While we're talking about the used market, take a look at the 6M used radio market. Here is one area that ANYTHING working will fetch top dollar. 6M operations is gaining in momentum even though it is somewhat a seasonal band for most of the US. The market just keeps going up as more and more of the surplus used gear is swallowed up by new hams wanting to get on 6M on the 'cheap'. Case in point, the FT-840 HF/VHF/UHF rig has final transistors that are non-existant in most parts palaces. Lose a final and the rig becomes a paperweight. If you do find finals somewhere, be prepared to spend BUCKS! Yet this rig still commands top dollar for used condition due to the niche it fills. Only other close challenger to the FT-840 is the TS-2000S and its variants and while the TS2K is still in production, it is not looked on by many as being a worthwile radio due to the old DSP technology use. Yet it too is still pricey as used gear.

Hope you can find a solution to your needs. The used market in ham gear can be a wonderful place to shop and remember days gone by. It can also be a money pit if you are not careful and do not understand what you are holding or looking at. Like a onion, it has many layers and used properly, can make the 'stew taste good' but if you're not careful, it can also bring 'tears to your eyes'

Gene W5DQ

Com'on Chris. Be fair, have you ever been to SF? A bit crowded like all big cities but still all in all a nice place to visit. I surely would not want to live there mainly due to it over-zealous liberal nature but I guess we have to take the bad with good. Hopefully in a few months we can replace the 'bad' with the GOOD

Don't want ads -  there's an easy fix .... pony up for a subscription and you don't get any ads.

I subscribe and don't see any ads! Plus I used AD Block Plus and don't get ads on most sites.

Gene W5DQ

Don't think he say it was so .... it appears by stating "probably", he stating an opinion. And everyone has one of those. They're FREE.

I have a Samlex 1223 supply and out of the box, it is quiet as a church mouse. No hash, no trash, clean DC.

I did do a mod that keeps the cooling fan turning a slow speed continously until such time as the thermal switch senses it need to go full on and then it runs full speed for a little bit and automatically slows to about 15% of full speed. Takes 1 wire and resistor. Don't recall the specs off hand but do a Google search and it should be readily available. Other than that it is stock and works great.

Gene W5DQ

One of these can be found for maybe $200 - $700.....

I don't think I would would want a HF/VHF all mode or HF/VHF/UHF all mode transceiver that could be had for $200. I would be concerned that it worked properly or had not been 'fixed' by someone who was 'screwdriver happy'? Good clean rigs in this class rarely are found for less than $350-400 and then sometimes they usually look like they have been well man-handled. FWIW, the FT-100D is a excellent rig (although sometimes a bit small WRT the controls). I have one of them and they go for $450-500+ on most sources. Mine would not go for less than $500 if I were to sell it.

In my experience and research, older 2M single band all mode rigs usually can be found somewhat less expensive (< $100 to 150) but not so much for HF/VHF(/UHF) all mode rigs.

Gene W5DQ

Just a personal preference.

I realize that there are many new ops that embrace the latest fads of connectivity be it twitter, facebook or whatever and I think HR should be advertised and enjoyed any way to enhance it's presence and use. I was merely stating I personally do not use any of the social networking conduits for ANYTHING. I don't like them and don't trust them. The closest thing to those I get is the forums on eHAM, QRZ, etc.

But I do use ham radio in the classically sense by communicatinig via RF with a radio and have lots of fun doing that. I also have non-hams and hams, both newly licensed and old timers, visit my ham shack and I provide a means for them to operate or observe, as the case may be. I also participate in teaching ham radio classes with our local club and mentor (Elmer) anyone who ask for the assistance.

To each his own, but I'll stick with old school RF-based ham radio.

Gene W5DQ