Ah good idea... I don't hve any large metal near by but I can do that misting thing.  Makes sense...

Hi All,

I just ordered a K3 kit and I'm so excited! We only live a few hundred miles south of the factory so I should be getting it in the mail mid-week.  In looking at the build instructions, I see they recommend using an anti-static wrist strap and mat which I picked up at Shady-O-Rack.  This one has a ten foot cord with a banana jack/alligator clip on the end.  It says I can just plug the banana jack into the ground of the wall socket.  But how do I know for sure that the socket is at ground potential?  This old house has some weird wiring here and there and I'm not sure of the integrity of the house wiring ground.  Should I maybe just run the wire out the window above table I'm using to a ground rod I burry?  It's close to the main outside service panel, maybe I could/should use that?

Thanks for any help!

Ross
W6FG

Alright, good info!

Thanks guys I'll give that a try.  I hadn't even considered that the driven ele would tune up on it's own.  As an aside, I think I've heard of guys just laying a Yagi on the roof (mine is not flat so wouldn't work here) but I guess if it tunes, it can be used.

Thanks for the input,

rfg

Here in the small coastal town of Morro Bay California, the view of the Pacific and the 'ROCK' is the all-mighty BIG DEAL!  Therefore, I counted myself lucky when no one complained when I installed a wire dipole above the roof of our tiny two-story house.  Anything over 25 feet high must go through the permit process. 

I have an old KT34A tri-bander disassembled in the garage. I'm sure that if I attempted to put it on the roof, the neighbors would squawk.  But, I think it might fit in the attic.  What is your opinion of how well that might work for me?  It would be a bit of a challenge getting the thing through the tiny ceiling hatch in the cosset of the bedroom up stairs, but if it would play and give me some gain it might be worth it.  I don't think there is room for it to rotate.  I guess it would just have to sit on the rafters pointing north/south.  Whatdayathink??

I'm probably using up my 'New Topic' quota here but I just couldn't get it off my mind...  What's the best award tracking type log program that you know of? Any personal favs?  Most all programs track DXCC and the popular 'big time' awards, but what about the smaller awards; there's a ton of them out there!  I know there's "Paper Chasers' Log" but I don't think anyone with Win 7 can run it.  What's your opinion?

Thanks again,

rf

I wish I could Barry but when the hard drive went belly up, so went all the data (and programs that produced the data).  Yes, I have downloaded the ~5700 q's (into AC Log at the moment) that I had previously uploaded to LoTW so I'm very glad that I have that info.  It was more detailed when I had it listed in my EQF/LOGic/AC logs like with names, the op's personal data, gear used etc. but at least the basics are still there and accessible in LoTW.
I'm looking over the software reviews here on eHam again, looking for the best logging program for my awards chasing efforts.  I'm sure that most programs these days will handle adif files so the data can be transferred from log to log, in case I find a logging program that seems to work better for me.  I'll take a look at DX Lab too, thanks!

rfg

Yeah, I was afraid of that... thanks guys!  Time to start bangin' it all in by hand.  But this time I'll be sure to frequently back the data up somehow; DVD etc. or 'thumb drive'. 

rfg

I've tried so many different logging programs...  Some free but several of the paid ones as well.  Logic 8 (and a few of the earlier earlier versions) was one of the most powerful I'd say.  But having typed in several of my log books into a few different programs I can say that was a tedious, time consuming job.  Then my hard drive went south and that was the end of my paper to digital logging effort.  Fortunately, much of it had been uploaded to LoTW, but that's only the most basic info.
I've got all my logs starting from 1976 and I would LOVE to have them all in digital format for award chasing etc.  Also, I like to be able to call up a call and see if I've worked it before when I'm just tuning around looking for a Q.  Nice to have all the info there at my screen from our last QSO, even if it was from a few years back. 
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a program (or any other solution) that would some how transfer my paper logs to a logging program.  Even at a few pages a day, it's a daunting prospect to (AGAIN) try and type all my log material into EQF, LOGic, AC log, etc. I've started over so many times it's getting discouraging!
 
Thanks for any replies,

rf

Wow, cool version!  Thanks.

rf

Huh??

Hmm, thoughtful comments one and all!   I am very happy with my current rig; OMNI VI / opt 3.  But I will consider the K3 when I have the resources to up-grade the station.  I'm a 99.9% CW op so that's the only mode that I am concerned with in a radio.  I guess the specs will tell the story when I'm ready to buy... Thanks for the input!

Yeah thanks Bill,

But I already tried that... I breathed a sigh of relief when I first saw that "REMOVE" but when I hit that button it comes up and says "You cannot delete your own topics in this board."  Strange why they would make it work that way, don't you think?

Ross

My comp hung when I posted so I tried again; wrong move.  I wish I could delete!

I see Ten-Tec has added a little script to their venerable company logo on their web site.  They now call themselves 'The SSB Company'.  One of the reasons I have stuck with T-T for so many years is because of their excellent CW rigs, and now they seem to want to shed that CW identity.  I wonder if the company is taking a new turn, what with Scott leaving and maybe a new image.  Looks like my next radio will come from the company in Aptos California; too bad Ten-Tec, I hate to see you go!

I see Ten-Tec has added a little script to their venerable company logo on their web site.  They now call themselves 'The SSB Company'.  One of the reasons I have stuck with T-T for so many years is because of their excellent CW rigs, and now they seem to want to shed that CW identity.  I wonder if the company is taking a new turn, what with Scott leaving and maybe a new image.  Looks like my next radio will come from the company in Aptos California; too bad Ten-Tec, I hate to see you go!