while built my first crystal radio in the mid 50's, my first AM transmitter in the late 50's and I got my first Novice license in the late 70's I wouldn't call myself an Elmer. I've been away from Amateur Radio for the past 10 years or so (ergo the expired call sign) and missed the latest/greatest digital/DSP/etc. revolution.

I recently decided to get back on the air and like you just passed elements 1 & 2 and am currently studying for element 3 (General).  

Personally my current approach is less 21st century and more a traditional oriented one. Rather than buying an 'appliance' that does everything for you via software & keyboard and displays stuff on cold looking LCD's, I'm relearning the fundamentals by using rigs that you actually have to tune, with lots of knobs to twiddle with in order to pull that signal out.  I dragged out my bencher & homebrew keyer, threw up a 30 year old 40mtr dipole, retubed my HQ-180A, bought a used Yeasu FT-101ZD (mostly for sentimental reasons since it was my first HF rig) and an IC-751A for CW work. The cost of everything, including power supplies, speakers & a second shiny chrome bencher key were less than $1000.

I suppose I'm provincial in my approach but for me Amateur Radio is more about education, tradition & courtesy than bragging rights over having the 'latest/greatest' high $$$ rig.

Thanks All... EXCELLENT info. Unless I come across a 'deal I can't refuse' I think I'll just stick with a manual approach for now.

And roger the slinky being a less than optimal antenna. I guess I fell for the idea of having a "100 ft long dipole in 30 ft of space".  The loop sounds intriguing so I took a look at cebik.com for more info. Not sure I have access to the entire attic perimeter tho (1/4 is taken up by a 'cathederal' ceiling). I'll have to climb back up there and check (Arrrgh... A pox on homeowners associations).

I'm thinking of picking up an automatic ant tuner but I've never used one and am clueless about them. Is it as convenient as it sounds?

Since I live in a condo I have an 'attic dipole' (center tap 'slinky' type) and my rigs are an IC-751A & Yeasu FT-101ZD. I currently swap the antenna manually depending on which radio I decide to use (yea, a coax switch is sometime in my future too). Think an auto tuner would benefit me more than a manual tuner?

What does one look for in an autotuner (other than how many watts it handles, etc.) to make sure it's a decent tuner?

Anyone know of a similar site and/or forum for the IC-751(A)?

I live in a condo with the usual outdoor antenna restrictions (e.g. "you can't"). I'm stuck with either stringing up a dipole, etc. indoors and/or in the attic.

I'm trying to figure out how I might obtain a good ground as well (beyond the 3rd wire A/C ground). Complicating the problem is I live in an area that has limestone bedrock about 1 foot below the ground. Driving a copper rod into the ground dang near takes a jackhammer to get below the stone. The only 'commercial' ground I have is on the A/C compressor which (unfortunately) is on the other side of the building from my 'shack' room.

Can you bury a ground rod horizontally? Any other suggestions how I might obtain a decent ground plane?

I allowed my 1979ish Novice license (KA4LSU) to expire and I'd like to get a replacement for my orig license.

I'm studying to get relicensed but (while it seems I could) I'm not trying to avoid taking another code test. I'm a CW only nut and need to get back up to speed anyway

I just would like to have the orig license on my wall. I've sent a 605 requesting a duplicate ($0 fee) to Gettysburg. Is that all I need to do?

well, "problem" solved. I just couldn't resist buying an FT-101ZD that has been stored for the last 15 years from an Extra (N6RF) for $350 (!). This was the exact rig I had before and remember it to be a decent, fairly bulletproof & relatively 'easy to use' xceiver. I probably won't stay with it forever but it'll get me started on the cheap and will at least make for a great backup later.

Thanks for all the good advice/recommendations tho... soon as I get re-licensed I'll be sure to look for ya'll on the air!

-Mike

Given the almost unanimous recommendation re: Ten Tec, I guess the next thing I should do is forget what I remember about Ten Tec, take them serious and start thoroughly researching the various models and figure out which one might best fit my wants/needs.

It's not I'm a technophobe by any stretch. I'm sure I would come to love the 'state of the art' in digital HF gear (not hearing the relays click is appealing .

Thing is, even if I COULD afford the likes of an Omni V plus (etc.) I'm not sure I 'deserve' one yet... Since I'm basically starting over I almost feel like I should 'pay my dues' by twiddling knobs before I can earn the right to push buttons. Silly me, I'm sure but that's the old straight key in me talking I guess

So where might one find a good source of used, vintage Ten Tecs (besides eBay . Not many hamfests going on around my area that I could get to (since I'm working a lot during the holidays).

Wow... lotsa Ten Tec fans out there. I only remember Ten Tec for their home brew enclosures and a fairly decent antenna tuner (in said enclosure). Guess they've come a long way in the past 20+ years.

Thing is, looking at their website I find everything looks like it's all got a silicon heart & software brain. I guess I'm just getting old and set in my ways... I mean I still listen to SW on a Hammarlund HQ-180 that takes 30 minutes to settle in after it's turned on.

Well OK, I'm not THAT analog when it comes to sending tho... I do like digital freq displays but I prefer fluorescent/LED versus this nefangled low contrast (& slow) LCD stuff

>There are many solid state rigs that will meet your >requirements for good CW operation. The IC-765 is a >good rig but may have too many of the bells and >whistles that you say you don't want.

It's not that I'm not wanting the bells & whistles, just not in so many external 'boxes' stacked around the xceiver.

>I see that your callsign KA4LSU is not in the FCC >database, so I assume you are about to take the exam
>(s) to be re-licensed. I wish you well.

yep, my callsign expired many years ago (but I can probably still send it in my sleep . I'm currently studying for tech + (while brushing up on my code) but am finding I probably should just go for General class since it doesn't require 13 WPM anymore

Has anyone successfully used aviation style headphones (e.g. David Clark, etc.) for amateur radio?

I'm getting old and my hearing isn't what it used to be so it seems to me they would be ideal due to their exterior noise reduction capabilities (not to mention the boom mike).  Or is the freq response, impedance, etc. 'wrong' for amateur radio use?

Anyone like, have a success story with a particular brand/model?

As a former brasspounder ready to get back on the air I'm looking for advice about something to replace my (now long gone) Yaesu FT-101ZD.

I live in a small condo with limited space for the station & antenna so a good 'barefoot' design that doesn't require a lot of outboard accessories/space to be operational is preferable. It'll be used primarily for CW.

I'm not interested in the latest/greatest CAT 'appliance' tho. I like real meters and tube finals. Rather, I'm primarily interested in an older model transceiver I can find on eBay or a hamfest.

Given the above I'm zeroing in on the ICOM IC-765 but I'd appreciate any other suggestions anyone might have for a great 'CW-centric' xceiver that will work well with an antenna installation typical of a condo/apartment dweller.

Thanks