TID: Mystic BBS 1.12 A48   
   MSGID: 1:226/44 d4e89d7f   
   TZUTC: -0500   
    SD> I've dealt with those also.  The Extras I know here are pretty seasoned   
    SD> except for a few new ones we have in my club that did the "three steps   
    SD> in one day:" route who are still getting experience.   
      
   I'm relatively new -- just got my ticket 3 years ago while I was off work   
   for an extended stretch due to surgery -- and this seems to be the norm. It's   
   a "win" to pass all three exams in one sitting, or something.   
      
   I did Tech and General to get started, then got my feet wet for a few months   
   before upgrading to Extra. Even now, I'm still learning A LOT. Massive credit   
   to the welcoming guys in the local club who keep us actively learning and   
   honing skills.   
      
    SD> Glad to meet another antenne fan (or would that be "fan antenna"?).   
      
   Okay, this one made me giggle. :)   
      
    SD> Right now, my living situation does not allow wire antennas but I have a   
    SD> 40-foot long aluminum access ramp for my mobility scooter I use to mount   
    SD> antennas.   
      
   I'm fortunate to have a couple acres where I can stretch out a 75m EFHW (or   
   put up a 40m dipole if I really wanted.   
      
   I used to have a loaded dipole hung inverted V off my TV antenna mast. That   
   was my first "real" antenna, and I'm still surprised at how well that   
   performed. Very little directionality.   
      
    SD> I am saving up to buy a Comet CHA-250HD "vertically-oriented dipole" HF   
    SD> antenna.  It uses a big coil to eliminate the need for radials.  It's   
    SD> $479--not cheap when you're on Social Security--but well worth it to get   
    SD> on HF easily.   
      
   I picked up a new 3D printer recently (only $200 or so), and that's really   
   opened up a whole new world. Printing little bits and connectors and mounts   
   and housings and what not.   
      
   I found a template for a loading coil that I intend to print this weekend.   
   Wrap the coil around that template, wind up another 49:1 transformer, and   
   hopefully have a vertical very similar to that Comet to keep in the truck for   
   mobile HF.   
      
   73!   
   Randall   
   WZ8Q   
      
   ... "Road work ahead" ... I sure hope it does!   
      
   --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/32)   
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