I've been checking in on some of the CW nets the last couple of nights, and the more I use the Brass Racer the more I like it better than my Bencher(s). Thanks to the magnets, you can adjust the tension on each paddle to suit the feel you like.
Of course, this means its got infinite adjustments, and brother, you can wear yourself out trying all of them. The main difference between the Scotia and the way the Brass Racer are set up is in paddle spacing. The last user of the Scotia used washers to increase the spacing between the paddles, which I really kinda like. The paddles have a different shape too – the drop down a bit like the K6JW paddles that Vibroplex sells for its Iambic key. Because the centerline of the paddles are a little bit high from the surface of the operating desk, the Scotia paddle has a little bit better feel because more of the paddle fits between your fingertips.
The paddles on the Scotia are replacements that look to have been nicely fabricated from some very high quality PC board material. They're stiff but as thin as those on the Brass Racer.
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I have been hearing an influx of new Generals onto 75 meters on the frequencies I listen to, and there's been some serious Elmering going on. A lot of the new guys on HF are clinging to their old CB beliefs as far as radio operation, and some of them are learning lessons the hard way.
One fellow tonight was complaining that his Ameritron AL-80B was only putting out 400 watts. On questioning by some of the other guys on frequency, this fellow — a new General — was not tuning the amp. He said someone at the factory told him to set the Plate and Load controls all the way to the right and never touch them!
It took a lot of coaching from others on the frequency to convince him that the controls were adjustable for a reason, and that he should tune the amplifier for max output and cut back the drive to reduce output. It turns out that he really didn't have a clue how to tune the amplifier. The amplifier wasn't operating efficiently and it could shorten tube life, so I think he got the lesson.
Another new General was off frequency about 200 Hz. I don't recall the rig he was using, but it was simply indicating off by about 200 Hz. They couldn't convince him that his radio readout was off slightly; he insisted his radio was correct, and that everyone else was wrong!
I heard true diplomacy too – one of the old timers finally convinced the guy that perhaps his radio's digital readout was incorrect, explaining that as radios age, its not uncommon for there to be some drift. It's the old “00” syndrome again.
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While cleaning out a box of “stuff” in the shack I found my long-lost Yaesu FT-11R HTs. I have owned the pair of HTs for a number of years. I really like this model, and have kept them at-the-ready in the Yaesu drop-in charger, which keeps them charged and ready.
But last year I took them out and packed them with me, and they wound up in a plastic bag at the bottom of a box of assorted stuff. I haven't seen them in months, and I had given them up for lost or stolen. In the months since I've bought a couple of other HTs, a Yaesu FT-50R compact dualbander, and a new Yaesu VX-170. The 170 uses the same battery pack as my older Vertex VX-150, so that makes it very convenient to own since it can use the same drop-in charger.
So now I'm overrun with handie talkies. I used to have two, now I have five. I had considered selling the FT-11Rs but I have the programming software for them, and know them so well … they're comfortable old friends, so I'm going to keep them and save the others as backups. I have dry cell cases for the other HTs, but not for the FT-11Rs, so perhaps the other HTs can be for secondary use.
I charged both FT-11Rs and realized that one of the batteries is about shot. I ordered a replacement pack on eBay, about $27, which isn't a bad price. I may have to buy a second one just to keep a spare handy.
I'm not sure why, but the FT-11Rs are incredibly popular HTs, and one of the highest priced accessories for those HTs is the drycell AA case. I have seen them sell on eBay for upwards of $50-60! Apparently there weren't many made and damn few floating around now.
An HT that I've really gotten a lot of good use form is the VX-150. It's a mil-spec 2M HT, and built like a damn rock. After using the VX-170 vs. the VX-150, I've actually considered buying a second VX-150 as a replacement to the two FT-11Rs.
I like having two HTs available, and I particularly like to have the others on standby with dry cells. Funny thing — I bought an ADI AT-201 2-meter HT I bought probably 10 years ago, it was one of three different ADIs I bought very cheaply several years apart. The first was one called the Sender 145, the second was the ADI AR-147. Those two earlier HTs are MIA (probably stored in a box, neither model had CTCSS, which makes them nearly useless today).
The ADI-201 was in the same bag with both of the FT-11Rs. The ADI HT battery pack died years ago, but I used a 6-cell AA akaline pack on it. Well when I discovered my hidden cache of HTs, guess which one still had battery power?? The AD-201 and the akaline cells! It had been at the bottom of the box for many months, but didn't miss a beat.
I don't count the ADI as one of my “usual” HTs for years I've had it as a loaner of sorts. I lent it to new hams who got their tickets in my classes.
It's late, and time for bed. G'nite to tall … de KY4Z … dit dit …….