I am using the SX100 with a Johnson Ranger/Thunderbolt combination on 75M AM with a Johnson TR switch interface.   The SX100 loses sensitivity on 75 meters intermittently.  (Seems to be more so on 75 meters than other bands).  An exceptionally strong signal can sometimes get through but the sensitivity is extremely poor.   Sometimes tuning around to other frequencies results in a momentary restoration of sensitivity.  I tried changing most capacitors in the front end of the SX100, and thought many times that the problem was fixed, only to have it return.   Has anyone had this problem?   Could RF be leaking through the TR switch and killing the front end of the SX100?

Many thanks and 73
Steve WA2DTW

The problem is when you have a multiband antenna that requires an antenna tuner or transmatch, it is necessary to tune the antenna itself, on the air. So it is important to tune up in the vicinity in a non-busy time and at reduced power before turning on the amp and tuning that into a dummy load, and to write down settings for various frequencies.  I agree that plus or minus 3 kc shouldn't generally make much of a difference, but on 80 or 160 meters the tuning might be more critical.

73
Steve WA2DTW

Thanks, Eric
I had this rig in the early 1960's, when I was quite young.  Stupidly I got rid of it in the '80s.  So this was too tempting to pass up.
73
Steve WA2DTW

Many thanks, Alan.  Glad the rig will work without it.
I can live without VOX.  
73
Steve WA2DTW

Recently re-acquired a Multiphase 20A exciter (I had one as a child).   There are a few tubes missing, but also something called QT-1 in an octal socket.  It is not clear from the manual or schematic what "QT-1" is.  Does anyone know?  Is it something that can be built or replaced?
Thanks and 73
Steve WA2DTW

Ranger II.

73
Steve WA2DTW

While on the subject of radials- I would like to ground-mount a multiband vertical on the edge of my property.  The radials would all have to extend more or less in the same direction (perhaps along a 45-50 degree arc).  I cannot extend radials out in all directions, because of physical restrictions.
Would this likely be OK?
Thanks and 73
Steve WA2DTW

In the middle of the furious contest activity I tuned onto 30 meters and called CQ.  Nobody was on.  30 meters is a refuge for those who don't want to participate in contests.  Also 17 meters during the day.

73
Steve WA2DTW

I must say that this surprises me.  I would have thought that the consensus would be that the straight key was better for beginners, since it is simpler, and one learns how to form the letters.  So if you start with paddles, why go to a straight key at all?  And why go to a bug?

I started with a straight key.  Then progressed to a bug (paddles didn't exist). Then to paddles.  There was a significant learning curve from straight key to bug.  Less of one from bug to paddles.  I crack out the straight key for SKN, or to use a simpler rig. I fully endorse the SKCC.

Admittedly, haven't cracked out the old vibroplex in many a year.

I guess the bottom line is- with a straight key you can send at any speed up to about 20-25 wpm.  With a bug, it is difficult to send slower than 20 wpm.  And with paddles, you can send at just about any speed.  When you master paddles, your code is perfect.

I second both.
Many thanks to Steve WB2WIK for his numerous informative posts.
And many thanks to the vets for our freedom.
73
Steve WA2DTW

KB9UMT
No, Don.  I am not trying to cause trouble, nor am I anti-contest.  But you must admit that on contest weekends (i.e. most if not all weekends) many of the bands become unusable for those not participating.  The WARC bands are seen as a refuge.  While the "digital QRP weekend" may not strictly meet the contest definition, it comes rather close.  So some of us may become more vigilant when it appears that limits are being pushed, because the next step may be a 30M CW or digital sweepstakes.   30 meters is a unique band, which will indeed become more crowded as the sunspot cycle progresses.
73
Steve WA2DTW

Sounds like a contest to me.
How is this different from a contest?

I bought the book and the Wilderness NorCal 40A kit at the same time, with the intention of building while reading the book, chapter by chapter.  I figured that I already had a QRP rig (FT-817) and would learn some electronics while building.  

Soon, I lost patience and finished building the rig before completing the 2nd chapter of the book.  The rig is loads of fun, and I marveled at the QSO's I could make at 2 watts, with such a seemingly simple box that I had the satisfaction of building.  And it is not difficult to build, and QRP Bob at Wilderness radio is very helpful.

The book, though, is a different story.  There are some real gaps for those who have not seen trigonometry in the past 40 years.  And it is not very logically written.  The book was a disappointment.  But the rig is great.

Many thanks to all who replied.
Can someone explain what "unique" means, and why this would penalize a contestant?
73
Steve WA2DTW

Is it OK to participate casually?  i.e. reply to CQ Contest calls, exchange the required info, but not really compete or submit a log?  Does this apply to some contests but not others?
73
Steve WA2DTW