You can buy a USB to serial rs232 adapter for as little as $10 to interface to your PTT..
You can use a diode a resistor and a 4n35 opto-coupler to interface the RS-232 adapter to your
rig with DC and RF isolation..Look on the web for
"opto isolated rtty interfaces" you will find many examples..
73
mike

I use a push-up steel tv mast to support three
inverted v antennas at 28 feet. Cost about $30!

My local TV parts supply store has them up to I
believe 40 to fifty feet max hight.

My mast is bolted to a post in the ground and is not guyed..

It has been up about ten years so far..

I buy 4x6 blank index cards and 8.5x11 inch card
stock from Staples!
250 sheets of 110 lb card stock in various colors
for about Ten dollars a package which yeilds 400 cards.

Staples sells a rotary paper cutter for about $20
dollars that does an excellent job of trimming
this stock down to the proper size.Accurately and
squarely!

I have been able to produce Pro Quality custom cards
on my pc using several different programs.

Microsoft word 97 is excellent easier to use than
Office 2003!

You can generate cards in Microsoft excel and have
excel fill in the qso data automatically if you are
savy in using the mailmerge function..

Also If you use "Logger32"(Excellent logging software
and its free" "www.Logger32.net")
as your logging/operating
software they have a accessory application called
"LOGPRINT" that can be used to take log data and print
the report on the cards..

My other inkjet printer's (Epson 740i)ink is not
waterproof but replacement ink is very inexpensive
($3 per cartridge.)

I have printed cards and envelopes with it and sent
them arround the world direct and through the bureau.
And all return envelopes have arrived in excellent
condition without smudging!

Also Staples has a corner rounding paper punch for five
dollars that does a excellent job!

Regards

Mike

I love paper qsl's I hang them on my wall and also
have them in photo binders! I trying to find
a program so that I can scan my cards and have them
on a slide show on my office PC.So that every one in my office can see them..

I eQSL and LOTW also!

I find more people use eQSL than LOTW. I have 65
confirmed in LOTW and over 100 in eQSL.

I find eQSL easier to use than the complicated
steps that LOTW Requires!

I like the E-mail notifications eQSL sends to me and
I ENJOY confirming the QSO's manually and looking at
the received QSL's! It adds a personal touch also you know when you haved received them..

LOTW does not do that and I have to constantly
print the list to compare it to ny log..

73 MIke

Its 599! I Just started operating RTTY myself during the last two weeks.

73

Mike

Check out the "Sharper Image" They had a real Beauty
in thier store last week when I was in there!
Check out the website..

Also I saw one advertised by Radio shack last week.
That may be the same one as Shaper image ...

It was Twice the size of the MFJ model which I have..
I was very well done...
73 Mike

Check out the "Sharper Image" They had a real Beauty
in thier store last week when I was in there!
Check out the website..

Also I saw one advertised by Radio shack last week.
That may be the same one as Shaper image ...

It was Twice the size of the MFJ model which I have..
I was very well done...
73 Mike

If You put a 2meter verticle on top you would have to
provide a coax loop because the beam and the vertical
will turn together. I would NOT put the 2meter vertical above the beam as it is a lightning magnet!

I would make a side arm to hold the 2 meter antenna
and attach it to the bottom section.

Also you need to run a cable from the top of the mast to ground and also for use if the sections bind
(Pull down cable) so you can coax it to start coming down especially if there is some ICE at the top
of the bottom section!


I have a similar tower! On a used one I would check the pulley at the top! It and the bolt that holds it may need replacement (corrosion) also the Wire rope
may need to be replaced also.

But the Galvenized wire rope is inexpensive and usually available at Home Depot or any marine supply! You may consider a stainless steel cable but the galvenized one will be good for ten years or so..

You may need to have the end of the cable atatchment loop swaged .The tool for this costs twenty or thirty dollars from a marine supply store! I would not use
the cable clamps that are screwed on they get loose!

You should be able to get replacement cables and pulleys from US tower..

I hope this helps

73

Mike

Logger32 is what I use! It's free and constantly updated with new features....does rtty,psk and rotor control etc...

You dont have to! But I do have a circular rubber stamp that says "Verified By WB2LCW" that i put un the back! Some one is not going to spend Ten bucks
to buy one of these to forge a qsl..They will need a new rubber stamp for each forged call..I also sign my
first name!
73

go here they sell all kinds of aluminum and other metals and plastics ,they also do cut to size!

www.nolansupply.com

Well it has been four days since the Daton Hamvention ended but I have seen no comments as to any new rigs or devices that were displayed? Also on the air it seems people were making plans to meet at dayon, But now that its over there are no threads I've seen as to new gear or anything else. It's like Dayton never happend? Last year there were lots of new stuff out there that people spoke about but it seems all is quiet? Unfortunately, I could'nt go this year! So Whats NEW?

Home depot sells chain link fence top rail's,Which
are the equivilent of tv masting and is fairly
light weight! It looks just like tv masting with swaged ends to couple them together! And
they are cheap at a few dollars each and
they are 10 or 12 feet long!

Look for Logger32 on the web its FREE and it does everything including RTTY and PSK31!
73
WB2LCW

I keep a paper log and I use Logger32!

Logger32 is free and it has many features..

Search for it in yahoo or google!

There is nothing wrong with WAS nets and contests.

Or 10-10 nets etc.

73

Mike