I did it a couple of years ago, it isn't difficult.  Just following the instructions you will get off the internet.  My soldering skills are fair at best.  Cheers, Jim  ZL4JB & KB8MPQ

Good day,
I have the same sized lot with a 100 yr old house, but no trees.  I was given an HF2V Butternut vertical.  I put it up and buried the radial wires.  I just took a machete and cut lines in the grass and tucked the radial wires in the grass.  I used fencing staples to hold the wire down.  It took not time at all to lay the radials.  The grass will grow over top of the radials within 2-3 weeks and after a month you won't see anything - especially at this time of the year.  And you won't trip over anything cause you stapled them down and tucked them into the grass slit.  A good vertical antenna (Hustler or Butternut) will get you on the bands and doens't look bad at all.  I was worried about the neighbours, but not one comment.  If you tuck it in back by your trees, it will blend in on the very first day.  And the vertical will really put out those low angled signals that will really work the DX.  They really work great.  You won't believe the signal they put out into the far reaches of the earth.  The radials are important though.  Anyway, good luck and good radio.  
JIM  ZL4JB & KB8MPQ    

I use XMLog.  It is free, very simple and I have not had any problems using it during the past 3 years.  I use N1MM for contesting and simply import an .ADI file from N1MM into XMLog.  Works fine.  For simplicity, look at XMLog.  I am a believer in the KISS idea.
Cheers, JIM ZL4JB & KB8MPQ  

I second a vote for the Begali Simplex.  Very good price for an excellent paddle.  I have had mine for 1 1/2 yrs and have never regreted buying it.  It is a beauty and a beauty to operate.  73 -
JIM  ZL4JB & KB8MPQ

Check into your local ham club.  Get to know the people there and you will surely find someone with some surplus HF equipment.  The beauty of that is you can trust the equipment you get as you will know the people that are selling it.  I am sure you can try it out too before buying it.  It will be a win-win for you.  Good luck!
JIM  ZL4JB & KB8MPQ

Go for the Bengali Simplex.  You will never regret buying one.  They are beautiful pieces of work and they are great to use.  I went from a straight key to the Bengali and have never regreted it.  Have a read of the reviews here on Ebay.  I have had mine now for 1 1/2 years.  Can't go wrong with it.  Good luck  73
Jim ZL4JB & KB8MPQ

I am a lefty and used to use my striaght key with my left hand.  When I switched to a paddle I made myself use my righthand and have not had any problem since.  I find it handy to be able to write if I have to with my left hand while being ready to send code with my right.  I thought us lefty's should stick together so I tohught I would give you 'my two cents'.  Good luck
JIM  ZL4JB &  KB8MPQ  

I live in New Zealand and often send money to my son who lives in the US.  I send it by wire transfer.  All you need to give the Aussie is your bank account details, name, account number and the like) and he will 'wire' the money into your account.  It is actually a transfer of money from his account into yours.  He will also have it transferred into US$ on his end so you will get exactly what you asked for.  It is simple and very reliable.  Good luck.
JIM       ZL4JB  &  KB8MPQ

I am also artistically challenged.  I can't draw a decent line without a ruler.  But I did make my own QSL card using Powerpoint and then took it to a printer and had them print up 500 or so cards.  I found the price to be very reasonable.  They turned out very good, with nice colors and with all of the info that I wanted on it.  It is easy to add clip art showing what every it is that you want to add to it (fishing, hiking, cars, etc.).  I would recommend trying that if you have access to Powerpoint.  You have nothing to lose and muc to gain.  Good luck.
JIM         ZL4JB  &  KB8MPQ

I recently acquired a Hustler 4 BTV antenna.  I was thinking of buying the 30m add on kit.  Any one try this add on for either the 4BTV or 5BTV and if so can you offer any experience?  Is it worth the effort, do you give up any performance by adding it?  Any help is very much appreciated.  
Cheers, JIM    ZL4JB & KB8MPQ

If IRLP strikes you fancy, then go ahead and give it a go.  Work all 50 states using the IRLP and get some satisfaction from it.  That is all that counts in the end.  You don't need anyone's approval here.  Ham radio is all about personal achievement.  There are plenty to things that interest some, but not others.  I once thought it would be 'cool' to chat, really have a talk with someone from all 50 states on IRLP here form NZ.  It isn't too difficult, but I wanted to do it just to do it. It gave me something to work towards.  You go for it and don't worry what anyone else thinks.  That is my $0.02.  Good luck getting the ham license, you won't regret it.  I'll would be happy to have a chat on HF or IRLP.  73's -  
JIM
ZL4JB
KB8MPQ    

I also wanted a nice, basic logging program.  After reading the reviews on this website I downloaded XMLog.  It is basic, does the job and simple to pick up and run with.  I have been using it for about 1 year and have had no problems with it at all.  Give it a try, it is free and you have nothing to lose.  I think you will like it.  
JIM
ZL4JB
KB8MPQ

Good day all,
I have an interface from Donner's Digital folks and am trying to use it to receive morse code with CWGet.  I thought it would help in those high speed CW contests - it couldn't hurt.  I am using a Kenwood 440 with my computer.  I have used the interface for psk31 with Digipan - no problems there.  But I am not having any luck thus far getting CWGet to copy anything on the bands.  Has anyone used this interface with CWGet, or is there some simple point I am missing, or can I not use the interface with CWGet?  Any thoughts and opinions and ideas would be much appreciated.    
73's
JIM
ZL4JB

Hello,
I am a surveyor living in New Zealand.  I agree with the previous poster.  My two cents are that most likely can not have anything overhanging your neighbors property.  I would have a talk with your city/council representative and find out what the code/zoning requirements are for such things.  As the previous poster said, there may be an nominal offset from the boundary that is required.  That should be your first stop before going to see a lawyer.  Get yourself in the know first before seeking other advice.  But definately gather the information, even if your neighbor never says anything.  
JIM
ZL4JB

W2LJ,
I really like that advice - become a 'MOCAD' ham.  That, and really only that, will help to increase one's cw speed and comphrehension.  Plus it is a bunch of fun too.  Two thumbs up on that simple advice, I think I will try myself!  
JIM  ZL4JB