Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010, 10:45 p.m. — It’s Christmas Eve Eve, the day when years ago, Terry Meiners radio show always broadcast his famous “Christmas Eve Eve Parade Parade.” The fictional event was held on the equally fictional Spud Street in downtown Louisville, located famously “a block north of River Road,” placing it squarely in the 
Ohio River! But this Eve Eve, we’re wrapping presents, scheduling schedules and trying to figure out who goes where and when.
I don’t have myself a Christmas gift coming from eBay this year; I did do some eBay Christmas shopping, but for my family members. In fact, I’ve told myself that before I get another rig I’m going to sell some things I have in order to both raise funds and make room. At this point, I’m interested in a Yaesu FT-817ND, and I think once I get the holidays past me, I’m going to put a listing on QTH.com and see if I can find someone willing to take my pristine FT-450 w/autotuner in trade for an FT-817ND with accessories. The FT-450 resells on eBay for more than most 817s, but I might be willing to make an even swap for the 817 with a battery, case, and whatever other accessories I can get. I would love to get a Signalink USB to go with the 817.
That’s my wish list, anyway.
I probably should wish for eBay buyers with loads of cash, all itching to buy something I have. Turning some of my goodies into cash is high on my list; I’m not likely to buy a new rig, unless I hit the jackpot and buy an IC-7700, or the FTdx-9000D.
FTdx-5000 THOUGHTS. I wouldn’t likely buy an FTdx-5000; after a closer look at the front panel, I’ve decided its just a little bit screwy in how they’ve laid it out. The keypad for changing bands or entering a frequency is located to the right of the main display; the mode selection to the right of that, and a group of six more buttons (including the noise blanker) to the right of those. Frankly, I think the front panel of the FT-2000 makes more sense and the display has much more information than the FTdx-5000. After seeing the specs on the on-top-of-rig spectrum display, I know darn well I’m not going to spring for either.
Instead of a new rig, I have other needs I should attend to; for starters, a 220v line to the shack for an amplifer. A separate 110v line wouldn’t hurt; heck, maybe two independent circuits at that?
Outside, I would love to put up my 40-feet of Rohn 25G; I have a couple of tribanders I could put up; I have an old Hygain TH-7, as well as a 3-element tribander of some other brand (I forget!). Both are used, which leads me to consider steering clear of them. I think my tastes really lean toward a simple Cushcraft A3S or a Mosley TH-3. I would like to put a selection of VHF/UHF yagis on the tower as well.
Spending money on those would require liquidating some “stuff,” and it might thrill my bride, because the sale of the “stuff” wouldn’t mean replacement stuff would be coming back in its place (at least inside the house). Hmmm….!