As the first of the month comes around, its usually time for me to check-in on the section CW net(s). One of the net managers sends in his reports as NTS-style traffic, and he refused to use e-mail. It's a traffic net and the monthly reports should be passed as traffic — and I agree with that.
Taking reports on one of the CW nets has been a learning experience for me. The only traffic I've ever handled was on phone, so the CW traffic net procedures and all was new territory for me. I've enjoyed it a great deal, and its sure helped my CW skills.
I'm listening to the Hallicrafters Collector's Net on 40 phone right now, using the FT-890. I've really enjoyed operating the rig, and other than a couple of minor things (like the sidetone frequency), its a very good rig overall.
I have yet to list the FT-757GXs, perhaps I will this weekend. I'm still considering having the best one aligned, but wonder if its worth it. I've seen these rigs sell for some huge prices, but that's not so unusual for popular rigs. Heck, the FT-101 series sell for big bucks on eBay, and I'm not sure I get the reason (unless its due to using them on 11 meters?).
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I'm still wanting to buy a Yaesu FT-2000, and have the cash on hand for both the rig and DMU. It just is tough to plunk down that kinda dough, particularly when I have a shack full of great gear. Yeah I know — never attempt to rationalize the purchase of new ham gear; I just think the XYL might notice the new rig and wonder what happened to the PROIII.
They were running an FT-2000 at the Central Kentucky ARS Field Day, along with a couple of FT-990s and some others.
Of the rigs I had the opportunity to listen to during my FD tour, several seemed to stand out for working under contest conditions.
An IC-7000 I listened to sounded very good under contest conditions; the IC-706MkIIG I operated in Lexington was another good performer in crowded conditions. The Ten-Tec Orion II on CW sounded very good, but the op didn't think it was worth the price tag. I was very impressed by a Yaesu Ft-897D and its ability to pull out signals in the crowded band.
The worst sounding rig I heard was an Alinco DX-70T; not that it had bad audio, but the crush of signals simply overwhelmed the rig's receiver. It reminded me of the FT-757GX, but still wasn't as badly overloaded as the 757 would be in a similar situation.
I saw a couple of contesting workhorses that I think are the staple of Field Days everywhere — the IC-746/PRO and the Kenwood TS-440S. Both are good perforrmers, particularly if outfitted with the appropriate filtering.
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KEYING CHANGES. My operating desk is mish-mash of bugs and rigs; right now I have the FT-890 sitting on top of the TS-430S (with a towel between them, naturally). My iambic paddle is on top of the stack, so long-winded QSOs aren't very comfortable at present.
The key I'm using is the HAMCO Scotia, the precurser to the Vibroplex Brass Racer. The Scotia is the only iambic I can find in my collection that's correctly wired for the FT-890. I've not used the key a great deal since I've owned it, but have pressed it into service of late and enjoyed using it.
My plan was to make the FT-890 my library rig (receive only). I listen in our library during the winter and tend the wood stove til the wee hours. But I may have to make this a transmitting station too, given my enjoyment of the rig. We'll see ….
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Not much else to report, so I'm QRT … 73 … de ky4z … dit dit