Fabian,  I found Region 1 band plan here:  http://hflink.com/bandplans/region1_bandplan.pdf

• 7025 - 7040   CW, 7030 kHz - QRP Centre of Activity
• 7040 - 7047   Narrow band modes - digimodes

As you note, so many European stations on 7.035, I just thought it was their "standard" too! 

I haven't tried JT65 on 6m yet.  http://hflink.com/jt65/ says

Terrestrial JT65A
VHF Frequencies
 
-  50.076 MHz USB
 
-  50.160 MHz USB
 
-  50.260 MHz USB

So many amateur operators use 7.035, that is the de facto PSK frequency.  Ham Radio Deluxe lists 7.035 for 40m in their Digital Master 780 SuperBrowser.  Don't think I have ever heard PSK up around 7.080, only RTTY.

It may be a good idea (or maybe not) but until it's implemented it's not a good idea call to "CQ DX yourcall" in JT65 because when someone responds it's "DX hiscall" instead of "yourcall hiscall".  It's better to use the mode in the intended manner as it works very well. 

I have worked many DX stations just by listening and noting the grid locators. And I use low power (5-10w) and simple antennas (hamstick or G5RV).

RTTY is distinctive and sometimes musical.  I have had good luck with JT65 though it sounds like a broken-down calliope. 

73, Bill  KJ4VTH

(There's nothing like chasing weak DX when a strong station starts calling CQ right on top of the station you're attempting to contact.)

Don't you just love that?  My other favorite is someone calling CQ DX CQ DX with DX station calling CQ CQ right nearby.  I have worked both of them on occasion with my weak station and surprised they don't hear each other. 

I have same setup except 32-bit Vista.  Set internal sound card as Windows default and set fldigi to use USB Audio CODEC.  Windows sounds go to internal speaker and digital modes go to SignaLink. 

73, Bill KJ4VTH

Must be missing something in the technique.  I tried the tennis ball trick and tennis ball came down every time ... without the line.   

This was my first time in Timonium for a hamfest.  It was much smaller than I expected from the photos on the flyer.  I guess they were taken during the boom years. 

Thought I saw the Wireman there.  Maybe I imagined it?  HRO had a fairly small area, a few tables with items in plain boxes (better to sneak them into the house? )  MFJ had much more space with tons of items on display.  I just can't figure why they have so many varieties of the same item.  It's a bit overwhelming. 

I spent quite a bit of in the Flex booth, checking out the SDRs and talking with their staff.  Almost - I mean I was this close - to ordering a rig from them.  They look like great products but I just couldn't break out the plastic.  Was hoping to see Elecraft there but alas they were not.  Talked a while with the guy in the Cow Palace with the military trailer.  He had some great stories to tell.  All in all it was a good show but not a great one. 

I have been having good success with the Buddistick lately.  It can be a bit fussy to tune -- whip length, coil taps, height off the ground -- so I got an antenna analyzer and learning where the sweet spots are for each band 10-40m.  The Buddistick also doubles as a portable antenna. 

They are not cheap.  Which is good: the build quality is high.  And bad: you could make one for less money if you are handy and have a source of quality parts.

73 de KJ4VTH

Wow, doing better than I thought: 65 countries since November, though not all PSK31.

Not sure where we're going with all this.   We'd rather have mediocre schools and big radio towers?   

I would move back to Nutley, NJ if I were you.  Looking at N2NOG's QRZ.com page it looks like he has quite the antenna farm there!

^--- Best advice yet. 

As posted on another thread, I'm a new ham and don't know what I am doing but I've logged QSOs on six continents (and heard the seventh) with a G5RV Jr.  Many of these contacts were made using low power, 5-10 watts.  I'd say hang that wire up in a tree or stretch it out in your attic and try it out!  You might be surprised.  It may not be the ideal antenna but it works for me.