It depends on the radio.  "Modern" Yaesu radios use a scheme with the first digit indicating the year of manufacture.  I know Kenwood uses a more or less "true" serial number system.  I can't speak for other manufacturers.  

I'm sure if you tell us the make and model, somebody can give you more information on how to decode it.

> Most serious contesters use a computer to generate CW
> and read it so

No serious contester I know (and I know a few) uses a computer to READ CW.  CW readers just aren't good enough.  Anybody who is serious about contesting uses a computer/memory keyer, though.

Is a CW reader cheating?  No.  But, if you don't put down your crutch, you'll never learn to walk.

Buying a used radio/amp/accessory is a game for the patient.  If you're impatient, buy the new gear and have fun with it.

I've gotten very good deals through eHam and QTH.com classifieds, plus eBay.  But, it took vigilance and I waited six months to a year to find the "right" item in some cases.  Same applies to hamfests.  

Unless I have a personal knowledge of the seller, I always buy used with the expectation that something will need fixed or (un)modified.  I don't like people who turn up the power...bad screwdriver!  If it doesn't need work, then that's a pleasant surprise.  With these things in mind, I try to buy things that I know I can repair with my suite of test equipment and skills.

You might not save any money in the end by the time you add up your time, parts, and hamfest ticket stubs.  But, you had a good time, right?  That's what it boils down to.

I can't speak for the ARRL antenna course directly.  However, it depends on what kind of learner you are.  If you benefit from having step-by-step help when learning, the ARRL course may be just for you.  On the other hand, if you like to read and try things on your own, you'll probably find it extremely inane.  

For my $90, I would buy a roll of wire, some rope, and some coax, then sit down with the books.  But, that's just me.

Allow me to echo the others:  The ON4UN book is simply one of the finest technical ham radio books out there.  Any ham that is serious about doing HF station engineering should have a copy, regardless of band, although the emphasis is on 160, 80, and 40 meters.  It's not really a beginner's book, though.

Balanis is an EXCELLENT book, too.  But, honestly, if you aren't an engineer or physicist, and just want to put up antennas that work, antenna textbooks are probably a poor choice.

I might add...if you're interested in the NA Sprint but find the speed CW is intimidating, the Northern California Contest Club sponsors the NCCC Sprint every Thursday night through the summer to help new and old alike practice.  For details:

http://www.ncccsprint.com/

Let me preface this by saying that I've never seen that problem with either of my radios; so, take my suggestions with a grain of salt.  My first (and perhaps obvious) suggestion is to check the marker generator.  It would only show up every 100 kHz, though.

There also are several Kenwood service bulletins that appear to address similar problems:

Go to http://www.kenwood.net/
Choose "DOWNLOADS"
Then "AMATEUR - SERVICE BULLETINS"

ASB-0866, ASB-0875, and ASB-0884, might be good places to start.  Good luck!  And please post when you discover the problem so we can all learn from it!

I have been told that this is a voltage level problem in the PLL unit that's been addressed in one of the Kenwood Service Bulletins.  I have two TS-930SE's and one (2-mil S/N) of them has this problem on a regular basis.  I haven't had time to fix it, yet.  But, I hope to in the next few weeks.  I'll let you know what I find...

73,

--Ethan, K8GU.

Yes, on a fading or disturbed path, slowing down aids copy in many, but not all, cases.  

However, my point was that the operator at the other end will probably set a pace that he or she believes generates the best QSO rate.  If conditions and operators will support 40 wpm, then that's appropriate.  If 20 wpm is best, then that's appropriate, too.  

There's no reason to set an explicit speed limit.

Hello Godifredo,

DXpedition operators go "fast" because they can contact more people that way.  I think it's completely appropriate.  They will run as fast as they want until the QSO rate no longer supports it.  Speed is one thing that makes running a pile-up fun (as long as it's not too big) from the other end!

73,

--Ethan, K8GU.

If price is not a major consideration, you might try this:

http://www.bright.net/~kanga/kanga/dk9sq/mast.htm

Other manufacturers make them (they're essentially heavy-duty fishing poles); but, I'm very happy with my DK9SQ from N8ET.  I wouldn't put anything beyond the last meter, so you get about 9 meters (27 feet).

You can purchase hefty base extensions (rather pricey) in 1-meter lengths or roll your own from whatever material you have around.  I'd just stick it on a piece of PVC pipe (be careful of UV deterioration), a fence rail, or piece of TV mast.

The SW40 is a nice little rig.  I have one sitting around somewhere that I haven't used since Dave Benson was NN1G...

Since my advice against starting with a QRP rig was disparaged, I'm sure my suggestion of a key will be as well.  Starting with a straight key will stunt your growth.  I agree with Eric, just go right away to a keyer and paddles.  And, get a REAL key that has some heft to it.  You can usually find a Bencher on the used market for $25-$50, if you look at hamfests or ask around your local club.  Somebody might even give/lend you one.  

You'll appreciate the weight, especially when you're learning to send.  I have a Paddlette that I absolutely despise because it's too darned small!  Even after improving my technique so I don't "slap" the key so much, it still is a pain.

Although QRP radios are functional and fun, I don't think they make a particularly good first HF rig.  You may find low power frustrating if you're not used to HF operating.  If you do go with a QRP rig, get one for 40 or 20 since these bands are usually open to somewhere and you can put up a decent dipole antenna without a lot of space.  The kits are generally easy to build.  But, you may find it beneficial to have a "working" receiver to align them.

QRP rigs aside, I'd look for something older by Ten-Tec like one of the Omni series or maybe a Kenwood TS-830 or TS-930.  These will set you back closer to $300-$500.  But, you'll have some power and the capability to grow beyond the QRP radio if that's not your thing.

Listening to (and sending) fast CW helps me.  I've tried to listen to it while doing other things like reading or driving.  But, it just doesn't work.  I have trouble paying attention to people talking when I'm reading or driving, too.  I think it might just be the way I'm wired.

It took me forever to learn the code.  Mostly due to the fact that I wasn't committed rather than any particular study habits.  I made one CW QSO on the way from 0 to 20 wpm.  But, as soon as I discovered CW contesting, that changed.  You may learn better if you can tie learning the code to some activity that you already want to do.

Good luck and have fun!

I agree, the TS-830S is a UFB rig.  Check out the Inrad filters available here:

http://www.qth.com/inrad/

You might end up with as much money in filters as the radio.  But, it's money well-spent, in my opinion.  Inrad filters occaisionally pop-up in the used market, too, although most people like them so much that they don't sell them.  I have the 400/400 and 2.1/2.1 in one of my TS-930's and the 500/500 Kenwoods in the other.  

The Inrad filters work very well and I plan to replace the 500's with 400's as soon as I can find some used ones.

But, you may want to get the radio and play with it a bit before deciding which filters you want to get.

I owned (non ND) one for about two years...kinda sorry I sold it and bought a second TS-930S for two-radio contesting.  I sure don't miss the teeny-tiny knobs and menus, though.  I have "average" size hands and found it a little too small for my likes.

It's a fun little radio for portable operation and hunting-down noise sources.  Better 2nd radio than first radio, too, in my opinion.