[2m] how to make the most of 2 meters?

[Jim Cameron]

Hi  2 meter group,

 I have  been   thinking  I have a Dimound 510 at 50 feet works good for FM. there is not allot of  simplex in my area on FM  but there most are on SSB. I  am  looking  for   2 meter all mode. I have made one contact a few hunred miles away simplex last summer on FM ,  that was cool.
Right now Im using a IC28H. My shack is pretty humble conpair to most. Ive been trying to make the most of 2 meters with what I have. So I thought I would try and get some traffic on this list by posting a few 2 meter goals I have and hopefully get some feeedback.

I posted this a while ago but in case you missed it or don't remember.
In the shack better said the living room desk, I have  a  Icom IC28H 2 meter FM rig Powered by a Aston RS 20A.  Antenna sysytem is as I said above a dual band Diemind 510 with RG8 feed lineto the rig. abiut 85 or 90 foot run. Works  great on repeters and when I can get some simplex it does good. I also listen for the 2 meter beacons. Have not heard one yet. 

So hear is the 2 meter goals

I am looking for a 2 meter all mode rig. 

I would like to get set up for packet. all I need is a TNC

I am wondering whats out there for SSTV, RTTY, PSK31. So Im looking into a interface. Simpler is beetter an Im on disablity and like homebrewing. As I unstand just a TNC wont work, but I heard there was Multi mode TNCs. There is a couple  of guys that work 2 thats have I heard about SSTV and the like I am just not set up tp get in there.

I made a paddle im working on a keyer, I dont know what on 2 for CW but I am told its there, I just can never seems to hear it. 

I was thinking to to build a rigid 2 meter dipole and put it on a rotor on the tower. I am  getting a few junk tv antennas to build a 2 meter yagi for SSB on the all mode 2 meter rig. 

As I said Im on disablity In in a wheelchair so I need help from time to time with the tower.  So I was trhinking a pre amp maybe place were i could work with it and a amp  I cant go higher with the tower. Well thats all for now, hopefully I can drum up some traffic. I would enjoy hearing what other  members think about and have done to make the most of 2 meters and how it worked as well as thinks that did'nt work so well.

73
KC9PXZ
JImmy C
Norwalk, Wi.
EN43qt