I'm a newbie at SDR here. Are there any basic, simple SDR shortwave receivers out there?  I'm thinking of purchasing the Sangean 909X shortwave receiver, but then got to thinking, it would be cool if there were a decent SDR type radio for a couple of hundred dollars I could try instead (just to try my hand at SDR technology).  Thanks.

I have very limited real estate around here due to a small lot and power lines traversing my backyard (going to house).  Thus, I have not been able to get on 80 or 160 meters at all all these years.  Getting on those bands somehow, is on my 'bucket list'.  I was looking at an 'Isotron' type antenna, but cannot believe it would get out fairly well.  Are there any coil loaded vertical, spiral wound, or loop solutions I should look at?  Thanks.

I'm having the same problem with my 50 foot run for 6m.  We've had a LOT of rain and moisture this season!  What is a good coaxial cable to use for 50MHz (50 foot run)?  RG-8, 213, or 9913?  Not sure what I should go with to feed my PAR Omniangle.

I need an extra IC-718 power harness so I can quickly unplug my IC-718 (have the current harness hard wired to power buss) and use it portable or 'backyard portable' with a battery or solar source.

Thanks Bill!  Those links look like exactly what I was searching for.

Mosley.  Very well made yagis.

I wish to slightly upgrade my modest 100w 'barefoot' station setup.  I live in a small lot, with power lines along, and crossing into my back yard going to the house.  Consequently, I can't safely mount an antenna back there.  I currently run a small, light Mosely TA-32 Junior tribander chimney mounted at about 25 feet.  I mainly use my GAP Eagle (eave mounted on side of house away from power lines) for 12 and 17m.  I would like to take the GAP and TA-32 Junior down, and put up a 30 or 35 foot lightweight crank up mini tower (or crank up pole) where the GAP currently is, and top it off with a Mosley TA-33 Junior WARC, or a Hex-Beam, so that I may have one feedline for 10 thru 20 (including 12 and 17m).  Who makes very small, lightweight, crankup poles or towers designed for lighter beams?  Thanks in advance.

Good thread. Are the Icom 756 series (original, Pro, Pro2, Pro3) considered well designed rigs for 6m?

Thanks for the replies!  I figured that performance between the 2 might be similar, being that they are both 2 element directional antennas.  The Mosley has traps, but a Hexbeam design has folded elements.  Both are probably compromises to some extent, which may 'equal out' the 2 performance-wise.  I'll probably stick with the lower profile and lighter TA-32JR (don't have much space here, especially with power lines running along the length of the back yard property line, and across the back yard to the house), as it's been in operation since the late 90's, and served me well mounted on the chimney.  I just have to take it down and check the traps (clean them out if needed) and attach fresh new coax to it (I dread this since my soldering skills are horrendous).  In addition, I have a feeling 12 years or so may be close to the coax's lifespan even though it looks OK.  On the other hand, I do like the fact that the Hex has 12m and 17m (some even have 6m capabilities).  I use my GAP Eagle vertical on 12 and 17, and it works quite well, but I can't help thinking how much better some gain, less noise, and front to back capabilities would be on these bands.  I looked at the TA-33JR WARC model as well, but I think it only provided 1 element (like a rotatable dipole) capability on 12 and 17.

Too bad SteppIR doesn't make a lightweight 2 element 'Junior' type yagi covering 20 thru 6m for those of us with postage stamp lots that roof mount our smaller yagis! 

I am debating getting rid of my TA-32JR, and trying a Hexbeam for 20 through 10m.  At the 25 to 30 foot off the ground level, which would be a noticeably better performing antenna?  Power handling is not an issue for me, as I always run QRP through 100w.  Thanks!

I used to be able to find those colorful airmail envelopes (for DX QSL's) almost anywhere a few years ago, but lately neither Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, etc., or my local stationary/card store carries them.  So I used regular white envelopes, but the clerk at the Post Office told me I should use airmail envelopes next time!  Where can I find these damn things?  Thanks.

Have you considered a 10m loop type of antenna?  I think PAR makes a 10m 'omniangle'.

Don't have experience with the 'ZeroFive', but the smaller GAP's (Eagle DX, Titan) are very good multiband solutions if you have very limited real estate (like a small 'postage stamp' lot) because they use smaller counterpoises rather than long radials, and they receive and get out quite well for what they are (except for the lowest band that they are designed for, where performance is limited).  I've found that they work best when mounted at least a few feet above the ground level or higher (mine is about 10 feet above ground).  Tuning my 'Eagle DX' took a little less than an hour, and i've had mine up since 1997 with no issues (no maintenance whatsoever, and no guys- it's mounted against the side of the house with a special bracket on a 15 foot mast sunk into ground with cement).  They are very well made and stand the rigors of mother nature when assembled properly.  I worked DXCC with mine in less than a year (operating liesurely from time to time) running 100w 'barefoot'.  Not that this really matters, but aesthetically, to me, they look like 'works of art' to boot!  I am quite happy with mine overall.

I live for sunspots and F-layer activity on the higher bands (never had room for 80m or 160m wires).  During past cycle peaks, I ran lower powered 10m transceivers (like the 25W Radio Shack HTX series) and converted CB's from my VW, using a pruned 'Wilson' magnetic CB antenna, and my results were incredible!  JA's, ZL's, VK's, no problem from my driveway.  South America and Europe was a cakewalk.  Some of the best fun i've had in the hobby so far...