There is very little likelihood of 29.6 not remaining an FM calling frequency. In Europe, as in the USA, this is a useful frequency to monitor for band openings as locals often use 10FM for local working up to around 20-30 miles. There are also some 10m FM repeaters around this frequency. 10m is a fascinating band and for the next 5 years or so will be getting better and better as sunspots start to rapidly climb. See you on the band one day!

Check out the 10m webpages on my site http://www.g3xbm.co.uk

73s
Roger
G3XBM

Let me recommend the 5W QRP Elecraft K1. I bought mine as a kit early in 2007 and got it with the auto-ATU and coverage of 40, 30, 20 and 15m bands although other choices are possible. Unlike the larger K2 this is a very small CW only rig. The instructions for building are first class and the finished rig works a dream, even in the crowded and noisy 40m band here in the UK. I have lost count of the DXCC countries worked with the rig but it is over 50 now in casual operating and 100 DXCC countries is almost a certainty next year after I retire and have more time. BTW, I only use a simple, low, 15m long wire, so nothing special at all by way of antennas. The rig has good styling and ergonomics and is a professional piece of kit with nice features like digital display, built-in keyer, beacon message memory. See http://www.elecraft.com or my own website http://www.g3xbm.co.uk for more information.

73s
Roger G3XBM

Go ahead and buy the best little radio on the market. I've had mine since 2001 and enjoyed using it greatly. Working worldwide handheld DX is such a thrill and I've even managed to work across the Atlantic on 6m sporadic-E last summer with just a small vertical antenna! It is perfect for local ragchews on 2m AM/FM and does a good job as a receiver on the new 501kHz LF band. If I had to sell all the ham gear I have and keep just one rig it would be my little FT817. In over 40 years in the hobby it has been the best purchase I've ever made.

73s
Roger
http://www.g3xbm.co.uk

An alternative has to be the Yaesu FT817. This is a small portable transceiver for all bands, all modes, 160m - 70cms, 5W and works great from home or hilltops (hand portable).

Waters and Stanton in the UK were still selling the little MX15 and MX20 rigs until recently - check them out as they export.

73s
Roger
G3XBM

Can't speak for the USA but in the UK it is unlikely to appear until 2001 sometime at a price of £799 UK pounds. One issue may be that they still have to get FCC and CE approvals to release it in both markets I think.

It will be some rig when it does arrive!

I've often wondered how far way people have received ham QSOs on a simple crystal set. Typical sensitivity of a good modern crystal set is about 500uV minimum discernable signal and this must suggest reception of strong AM or even the mumble of amplitude detected SSB could be received at some range in good conditions.

My best ever was G4PJ (on AM) 4 miles away on 160m back in 1967. Share with others what YOU'VE heard by way of crystal set DX in years gone by!

BTW, on BC bands you can definitely hear worldwide (VK and VU broadcast stations heard on a crystal set with 4 components in 1991).

73s Roger G3XBM
http://www.geocities.com/rlapthorn

Yes, QRP on SSB is great fun. QRP DXing on AM is even more fun! My most successful band for SSB is 28MHz where with 1W pep and a wire dipole I've managed 5 continents and goodness knows how many DXCC countries. On AM (try 29-29.1MHz) I've only managed 3 countries with 5W so far (W,VE and UT).

Good luck!

73s Roger G3XBM