Pass the Test > Extra
so what else does extra get you besides a bit more availability in the bands?
austinrob:
Yeah, I have my general ticket. Contemplating my extra. decided to go ahead and get a vanity call though now. Figure a call ending with "WTF" might break through some pileups just for curiosity sake. If I test for extra, I'll look into a 1x2 or a 2x1 call, but for now I'm just trying to stay active on the air.
(hard to stay motivated sometimes when you can't buy a bunch of new equipment or build new antennas, and you have an S7 noise floor)
idial1911:
--- Quote from: austinrob on February 21, 2012, 02:10:56 PM ---Yeah, I have my general ticket. Contemplating my extra. decided to go ahead and get a vanity call though now. Figure a call ending with "WTF" might break through some pileups just for curiosity sake. If I test for extra, I'll look into a 1x2 or a 2x1 call, but for now I'm just trying to stay active on the air.
(hard to stay motivated sometimes when you can't buy a bunch of new equipment or build new antennas, and you have an S7 noise floor)
--- End quote ---
What do you have now?
austinrob:
Right now it's a Kenwood TS-430 (mid-80's model) with a BHI ANEM inline with the audio to try to eliminate some of the noise. I built an offcenter fed dipole (windom) similar to the one listed at http://rogertango.com/articleread.aspx?idnumber=64229534
I'm not sure if the noise is the lack of IF DSP on the rig, or just my neighborhood. I'm limited to lower profile antennas because of an HOA. (moved here before I got into HAM) I'm contemplating building a vertical for 20m or 30m, but I won't be able to do many radials. I've modeled an elevated 1/4wave with 2 downward sloping radials. It will be omnidirectional, not incredibly efficient, but resonant, and relatively invisible (single 14ga wire up into the trees with radials on the fenceline.
I'm contemplating new gear, it's just hard to spend that kind of cash. Looking at the IC-7000 with it's good IF DSP reviews. Also good for mobile use on 2m/70cm. I'd use it 2m/70cm in the car mostly and HF in the house.
idial1911:
The 7000 is my backup rig, great little radio. There have been many days lately where s7 noise floor is normal, but you should also be able to filter out of some of that.
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