Larry....
   Your absolutely right, hamfests in my area are not nearly what they used to be, so once again I am not condemning TIMONIUM, just giving you a perspective on what the people who have to travel long distances might be thinking...I think its also a bit of my own personal disappointment, as TIMONIUM was my personal Dayton, and I looked forward to it every year...And incidentally that five hour trip I mentioned was each way, and of course with that kind of mileage a hotel was also necessary..
   Again I want to give a big thank you to BILL & ROBIN, and so many of the others who have been so helpful organizing the event, and personally helping me with minor problems...I guess NOTHING LASTS FOREVER... 

TO N3CFK....All your comments on this years TIMONIUM hamfest are undoubtedly true..I applaud your enthusiasm, but I must say I looked forward to arriving on Friday at about 5PM, setting up, then going to have dinner, and coming back at 4:30 to 5 AM the next morning to the arriving early morning hawks with their flashlights...I also like the fact that when its outdoors, you can pack up your wagon and leave as you see fit at anytime, a bit difficult with the indoor setup...I do agree with you that these days accommodations must be made just to be able to hold a hamfest, and the crew at TIMONIUM are the best...Always very friendly and accommodating, and eager to help...BOB
   

W9GB....THANK YOU...Once again for your time and concise description...I will indeed pick a day when I have plenty of time...
                                                                                                                                                    73/BOB

I did indeed check page 5-1 on the 28H service manual, and I don't see anywhere that the dial lites are identified...Of course they have a nice exploded view of the front panel, but I would think that they would illustrate the lites, since they are indeed a potential service item...TO BE CONTINUED...

Thank You Greg, W9GB for your concise reply re: the panel lamp replacement...I thought I had looked at page 5-1 of the service manual thoroughly, but obviously I missed the lamps.  I do have some 12v grain of wheat bulbs, but I will reserve my decision as to whether they will be suitable subs until I see what is in there...
I can't quite get a handle if you work for ICOM, or are just knowledgeable on this subject...Have you ever done the replacement yourself ??  ... and if so, is it a tedious job, in that it looks like the dis-assembly from page 5-1 appears to represent many parts...I have seen previous warnings to mark each plug as you unplug them, so as to know where they go on re-assembly, and I will heed that warning...
Thanks for your time and expertise....73/BOB

I believe I have seen this topic before on the forum, but now that I need it, I can't find it...Both panel lights out on the my 28H...I have downloaded the service manual, but I'll be darned if I see mention of replacing the panel lights...Anyone having experience with the process would you care to share, and possibly give me a heads up on the job...73/BOB

Hi Sean...
   I had a 7400A a long time ago, and as I recall the power cord was a two connector configuration, with a locking steel collar that screwed into the back of the radio...if its the one I am describing, that could be a tough one...you might be able to configure some kind of female connector from some other parts that might match the diameter of the power pins in the radio, and then put some shrink tubing over them...Not an elegant solution, but it might get you going...Another point you have to consider is that the radio is very old, and I know mine started having trouble with the segments of the display tubes going out, so it would be wise to get it up and running any way you could so you could see what you have...
   In its day, it was a very nice radio...GOOD LUCK...BOB

Dealing with Jim at Alpha Delta is a pleasure..I have called him in the past on a small matter, and it made it right...Good Company...BOB

To KE3WD....
   BRAVO on the last sentence of your post...Oh yes maturity does indeed make some of life's little disturbances go a lot easier...

Thank you W8JI...that's the explanation I desired.....

But that doesn't answer the question....

If you are exciting your GG amp with 25 watts and you get the max amp output, what happens when you drive the same amp with 100watts   Does the excess drive power appear in the amplifier output (and is actually not wasted) or will the power be dissipated in the amplifier tubes as heat

W3DBB...Thanks for the info on Gaithersburg...One of the first BIG hamfest I attended, and even though I was licensed over 15 years when I attended, when I saw it I was flabbergasted at the size of it...The first thing I saw was a Johnson KW matchbox, which I promptly bought for $75.00...
Only problem it was a big drive from eastern Long Island....73/BOB