Well, after many years of putting it off, I finally got my tech license about a   
   week ago.  (Call sign KK4GBC - I'll probably get a vanity call since that's so   
   hard to remember and say on the air)   
      
   I bought a really cheap (but surprisingly good) HT called a Wouxun KG-UV3D that   
   does 2 meters & 440, and has dual VFOs so I can monitor the local repater while   
   it scans other nearby repeaters. (It's a Chinese knockoff of a Yaesu FT-60)   
      
   I'm not really "new" to ham radio per se, as I've been a listener to both 2   
   meters and HF for a number of years (I own a shortwave radio and a "police   
   band" radio from the 70s), plus my older brother is an Extra class ham (WB7TVS)   
   and influenced me to become an electrical engineer 20 years ago.   
      
   So I'm looking forward to getting my General license real soon and this spring   
   (after I get a new roof on the house) putting up some HF antennas and getting a   
   good HF rig. Any pointers as to what kind of moderately priced and moderatel   
   sized HF antenna (10 meters, possibly 20 & 40 meters as well) that you'd   
   recommend? Also, what kinds of HF rigs should I be on the lookout for? Both new   
   and used.   
      
   To paraphrase a common quote: "Long time listener, first time ham"   
      
   *** Diamond Dave (Dave Perrussel) KK4GBC ***   
      
      
   --- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32   
    * Origin: Diamond Mine Online bbs.dmine.net (1:275/89)