I still can't seem to get tqslcert started. I put a fresh load of Mandrake 9.1 on, and with some help I got some RPM's fixed for Mandrake. But now I get another relocation error like I had on Redhat but this time it is about ssl. Here is the error:

[root@hnllhi1-ar1-4-65-062-161 w4mdl]# tqslcert
tqslcert: relocation error: /usr/lib/libtqsllib.so.0: undefined symbol: OpenSSL_add_all_algorithms
[root@hnllhi1-ar1-4-65-062-161 w4mdl]#

I am still very much a Linux newbie so maybe someone might be able to help me some more I hope.

Don't get me wrong, its not just LOTW, but LOTW got me back in lately. I am upset at there QSL Buro polices compared to other nations Radio Leagues, and that they seem obsessed with money making sceams over rocking the boat for issues that the major population of membership supports. It just seems that for every great thing the ARRL does for ham radio, it takes two steps back on other issues.

As for LOTW, you hit it on the head. It is just to big and crazy. And we are the kind of hams it needs to be succesful. KL7 and KH6 (and REAL DX for that matter) must use it to make it work well. An average ham may find it just fine, but it is just another headache for us. I was hoping to really use it as an easy way for others to confirm Hawaii. That is what is fun for me. Giving someone that new one.

This is my review of LOTW. Just wondering if anyone else is as frustrated as I?

Great idea but too late for the party. ARRL should have jumped in and created a better eqsl.cc with those chaps which is a much better system then this thing.

This whole program requires so much security that the pentagon is knocking on ARRL's door. WHY? IT'S A HOBBY!

The uploading .adi tool works great but the other program that deals with all the "signing" security features is full of fun for all.

I had to change from Mandrake 9.0 Linux to Redhat 9.0 Linux just to get the programs that this requires to be loaded first to install. After some callsign confusing problems ("W4" living in "KH6" land) we finally got the certificate loaded with tech support's help. After that I loaded my log which went smooth, BUT, I am in KH6 and I show up as KH6/W4MDL in everyones log, so here we go again. When trying to start the new cert, the program crashed and has never started again. Something to do with those other programs it requires.

Why does it have to be this complex?! So goodbye to my beloved Linux and back to windows for one LITTLE BITTY program. After installing windows for this thing, I found I can't even use my old cert files. I HAVE TO DO IT ALL FROM THE TOP!!!!!

I will continue to try to get this up for "the other guy" to get there Hawaii credit, but my ARRL dues are officialy going to eqsl.cc from now on. If QSL'ing is not important to you, its not worth the frustration. Thats maginified for Linux users.  

OK, I am fed up with windows and I would really like to fully switch to Linux. There is only one main thing holding me back. I use VQ Log on windows which is the closest thing to what I really want in a logger that I have found so far. (Although it falls short with no contest tool) After I look through some of the websites on linux software, all I can find is skin and bone loggers. Does anyone know where I can find something like this or close to this:

GUI or at least in a window - Very Important
DX calls are looked up when call entered- Very Important
DXCC Tracker - Very Important
File Backups in major file formats - Important
Be able to upload my old logs (ADIF or such) - Very Important
Major award tracker (CQ Zone, WAS)- Somewhat Important
Easy Install (RPM file)- Somewhat Important
Contest Plug In- Would be nice

Willing to pay for a good logger and it is an option.
(Note: I am running Mandrake 9.0)
Thanks in advance for any advise.

Thomas
KH6/W4MDL

OK, I am fed up with windows and I would really like to fully switch to Linux. There is only one main thing holding me back. I use VQ Log on windows which is the closest thing to what I really want in a logger that I have found so far. (Although it falls short with no contest tool) After I look through some of the websites on linux software, all I can find is skin and bone loggers. Does anyone know where I can find something like this or close to this:

GUI or at least in a window - Very Important
DX calls are looked up when call entered- Very Important
DXCC Tracker - Very Important
File Backups in major file formats - Important
Be able to upload my old logs (ADIF or such) - Very Important
Major award tracker (CQ Zone, WAS)- Somewhat Important
Easy Install (RPM file)- Somewhat Important
Contest Plug In- Would be nice

Willing to pay for a good logger and it is an option.
(Note: I am running Mandrake 9.0)
Thanks in advance for any advise.

Thomas
KH6/W4MDL

OK, I am fed up with windows and I would really like to fully switch to Linux. There is only one main thing holding me back. I use VQ Log on windows which is the closest thing to what I really want in a logger that I have found so far. (Although it falls short with no contest tool) After I look through some of the websites on linux software, all I can find is skin and bone loggers. Does anyone know where I can find something like this or close to this:

GUI or at least in a window - Very Important
DX calls are looked up when call entered- Very Important
DXCC Tracker - Very Important
File Backups in major file formats - Important
Be able to upload my old logs (ADIF or such) - Very Important
Major award tracker (CQ Zone, WAS)- Somewhat Important
Easy Install (RPM file)- Somewhat Important
Contest Plug In- Would be nice

Willing to pay for a good logger and it is an option.
(Note: I am running Mandrake 9.0)
Thanks in advance for any advise.

Thomas
KH6/W4MDL

Thank you everyone for your help. I am beginning to think it is in the coax somewhere. The way this think is, it has a balun with the coax ending with a male PL-259 near its base. From there I put on a Female to Female (PL-258 I think) and then to commercial 50ft RG-58 with the PL-259's already on. Like I mentioned before, It never seemed right before, but it worked. I guess I should try another role of coax and see if that helps. If no go, I will have no option but to find some local help with the right tools.

OK, so I have my first real rig, but having problems a lot. Setup is a FT-920 into a 5 band crushcraft MA5V vertical. From day one I could not seem to get the bands too tune up very well. I managed to get most between 2 to 1 and 1.5 to 1. The two lower bands 14Mhz and 18Mhz were higher just under 3 to 1. After struggling at the antenna, I used the auto tuner which seemed to work well. Lower bands still did not pack the punch I was expecting, but all bands would tune well below 1.5 to 1. All of a sudden today it seemed that the AF level was in and out, as if I was turning the ATT on and off. I went out to check the antenna, all seemed perfect. coming back in, my swr was through the roof. the auto tuner just keeps tunning all bands except 10M (which tunes good) at or above 3 to 1. I turn the Tuner off and I manage to still get mediocure SWR. Turn the tuner on, and its through the roof again. What gives? I can get better SWR with the Auto Tuner OFF??? Does that not rule the antenna out?? Help me please.

I am kind of new to contesting. I just moved to hawaii with the military and I would like to test the new setup in the contest. The rules are a little broad when refering to hawaii. How do multipliers work for hawaii? Do both lower 48 AND DX count as multipliers or just lower 48? Or Just DXCC? Can someone clerify for me? Thanks ahead.

Thomas
KH6/W4MDL

Ditto

Its sad what its becoming. Best of luck, but with all the ads, its a little to much. BYE BYE.

Moving to Hawaii with the Navy soon. Home ownership is not a good choice for now. Looking into other modes. I am looking into an FT-847 and am interested in patio style size antennas. I would like to start with the 27/14 FM birds with a mobile setup first. Will the little Arrow HT antenna take the higher power of a 50/100 watt rig?? Do they make a compact antenna for the larger rigs?? Intrest has also sparked new wonders. What will the RS HF birds give you that normal Skywave would not?? It seems that 15 and 10 already give good propagation to the world. Is it useful only during low cycle?? Will these compact arrow antennas work on the other SSB birds as well, or do I need more of a punch(AO-40/Oscar 10)?? Where can I get useful antenna project/kit info on the web?? Any clubs that I should know about? Any Elmer tips for me?    73, Thomas  W4MDL

Are there any set calling freqs for RTTY??

Is there any populer calling freqs for RTTY?

Is it just me?? I have read great reviews on all the hamsticks, but just can't get mine to work right. Maybe someone can assist me. I bought a 14Mhz and 50Mhz hamstick to get me on the bands I had yet to get up on. I started with the 20M and a RS Mobile Mag Mount. I could not get a match at any point on the whip, before resorting to cutting, I tried the 6M with even worse results. I tried on differant locations on my 95 Bonneville with fluctuating results, but none good. I fiquered it most be the ground with the Mag was not good, so I ran down to the local CB shop (only place in town with a trunk lip mount for that thread) and started to get decient SWR right away. Almost perfectly tuned on SSB 50Mhz area, and at 14.300 on 20M's. All is well yes? Wrong! 50Mhz bearly talks out and I hear feed back into the speaker, when I try FM up higher, it kicks the power off of the radio itself (IC-706MKII). The 14Mhz seems to be fine, but 59 stations have a hard time hearing my just as the 50Mhz, and if I speak up I get feedback into the speaker again, just not as much. I maintain good SWR, but looking at the power meter, I can understand why stations don't hear me too well, I am only putting out aoout 10-20 watts at 100watts setting. I run a Diamond (Resenator Style) on 7/21/28 with a trunk lip mount and it works awsome. Great reports. What gives? Just wondering if its the mounts, needs better grounding(but from a trunk lip???), or what? TNX for any help.

Thomas
w4mdl@arrl.net

Have a great time Kyle, and make sure to get a sked with me. Contact me at W4MDL@arrl.net before you go. I would love to get a QSL. It would be as fun for me as it would for you. I passed my novice back at the 93' Jambo while I was a scout myself. They could not pull me away from the chair.

73
Thomas
W4MDL
Petty Officer 2nd Class
USS ROSS DDG-71
Norfolk, VA