[Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon!
Kevin Shaw
kmshaw at tampabay.rr.com
Tue Dec 6 23:24:15 EST 2005
Craig,
>> What prompted you to get back into the fray?
Well, a few months ago I received a QSL card from Canada in the mail by
mistake. Looking at the card, I started thinking about the old days. I
haven't been on the air since around 1981 or so.
Then, a week or so ago, the subject of Heathkit (of all things) came up in a
discussion with my wife. I can't remember what we were talking about.
Anyway, I was curious to see if Heathkit was still in business (in some
form) so I got on the internet and started searching. Heathkit is no more --
but I did find the Elecraft website during my search. I did some research
and I was impressed with the reviews on the K2. QRP CW sounded interesting
to me so I checked to make sure my license was still valid (yes!). Then I
went online to join the ARRL again and to order the "Operating Manual" and
"The ARRL Handbook" to bone up on what has changed in all these years.
This afternoon I ordered the K2 with the auto tuner and RS232 interface. It
should be here on Thursday.
I still need to get some QSL cards made up and find a suitable power supply.
Then I need to tackle the issue of an antenna. It needs to be something I
can attach to the solar panels on the roof. I thought about attaching a
dipole of some form to the pipes with cable ties. It should be almost
invisible to the eye (deed restrictions :( ). Plus the fact that we have all
woods out back makes it very unlikely anyone will see it. I just hope it
works decently :)
Kevin
-----Original Message-----
From: Craig D. Smith [mailto:craig at powersmith.net]
Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 11:22 PM
To: 'Kevin Shaw'
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon!
Kevin ...
Glad to know that I'm not alone with this reentry into ham radio. The K2
looks like a great rig and I think we will both enjoy building and using
them.
I installed a stealth random wire antenna up on the ridgeline of my roof as
others in the neighborhood were installing Xmas lights (think I got away
with it). Seems to work OK on receive, and hopefully will be able to make
some contacts with it. I used to be a CW contester at heart, so may get
frustrated with the antenna situation here, but should be fun anyhow. They
have QRP divisions, now they just need to have an "indoor antenna" division
too ;>)
Also plan to install radials in the back yard (definitely invisible!) and
make a tripod mounted vertical that I can put out on special occasions
and/or after dark. The new automatic tuners should make this type of thing
easier than it used to be.
Plan to order my K2 with the auto tuner, noise blanker and 160 meter option
and then get the DSP filter and perhaps SSB later in 2006. Look for me in
Sweepstakes next November for sure!
What prompted you to get back into the fray?
Best Regards
... Craig
Craig D. Smith
PowerSmith Consulting
1009 Alder Way
Longmont, CO 80503
phone: 303-678-7958
email: Craig at PowerSmith.net
web: www.PowerSmithConsulting.com
<> -----Original Message-----
<> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
<> On Behalf Of Kevin Shaw
<> Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 7:52 PM
<> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
<> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon!
<>
<>
<>
<> >> After 18 years of inactivity and a lapsed license,
<> >> I've joined the ranks of hamdom again.
<>
<> I too am in the process of getting back into ham radio after about 22
years.
<> I plan on ordering a K2 in a few days and trying my hand at some CW.
<> Hopefully I won't be too rusty :)
<>
<> >> I'm looking forward to a fun construction project,
<> >> the challenge of working QRP CW with extreme antenna
<> >> restrictions from my HOA
<>
<> I have the same problem here. We have solar panels on the roof for the
<> swimming pool. I was thinking about attaching a dipole to the pipes that
run
<> along the roof. The pipes are long enough for a DX-CC dipole and should
be
<> almost invisible. It's less than optimal, but it's better than nothing.
<>
<> 73s
<>
<> Kevin Shaw
<> N8IQ/4
<> Trinity, Florida
<>
<>
<> -----Original Message-----
<> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
<> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Craig D. Smith
<> Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 3:17 PM
<> To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
<> Subject: [Elecraft] I'll be joining you soon!
<>
<> After 18 years of inactivity and a lapsed license, I've joined the ranks
of
<> hamdom again. Took elements 2, 3 and 4 on Saturday and now am waiting
for
<> my new (and much longer) call from the FCC.
<>
<> I started exploring what's new in amateur radio a couple months ago, and
my
<> most exciting discovery was Elecraft and the enthusiasm and support of
this
<> Email list. I like the product designs and the prospect of building and
<> servicing my own equipment like we did "back in the day". I wasn't sure
if
<> that was still a practical possibility, but with Elecraft it certainly
is.
<> Without Elecraft, I probably wouldn't have taken the plunge again.
<>
<> Just treated myself to a new Weller WESD51 soldering station with all the
<> trimmings - decided that my 1966 soldering iron wasn't going to be
optimal
<> anymore ;>) By the way, for purchasing such things as soldering and
<> rework equipment, hand tools for electronics, and all of the kit
<> construction supplies you can imagine, I can highly recommend HMC
<> Electronics in MA. www.hmcelectronics.com (www.hmcelectronics.com)
<> Reasonable prices, great service and free shipping. I believe they still
<> have a special 20% off sale on the major Weller stuff.
<>
<> The K-2 goes on order right after Xmas.
<>
<> I'm looking forward to a fun construction project, the challenge of
working
<> QRP CW with extreme antenna restrictions from my HOA, and eventually a
KX-1
<> for those hiking trips next summer.
<>
<> See you soon
<> . Craig
<>
<> Craig D. Smith
<> Longmont, CO
<>
<>
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