WRPL700

Mark: This is very helpful Thank you. You may not realize it, but you are somewhat responsible for me being a ham now. About a year or so ago you and I talked about using a 102" whip for CB radio DX. I finally converted that into a horizontal dipole with a Procomm dipole mount and another 102" whip. I had to lengthen them a little. Since getting my ham license, I have cut the whips down a little and they work great for 10M and since my radio has a tuner, 12M. So thanks for all the help.

I guess I hit a nerve, huh? I am relatively new at HF ham radio, so this weekend was quite a shock to me.... yes there is always a few contesters here and there, but wow this last weekend was way, way over the top. And yes I did more that sit in the radio room.... I rototilled our garden and cleaned up the yard. Good enough for you???

So, can anybody explain contesting to me??? This weekend 10m and 20m (not sure about 17 or 15) was just plain jammed full of folks contesting. What a zoo, if you ask me. Hard to squeeze in enough space for normal use..... Contesters were stepping all over each other. I did manage some QSOs on 20M and a few on 12M. I guess if a contester wins a new radio, it makes sense...

This is good to know. I will be printing this out and putting it in the box with the manual for future reference.

So, are end fed half waves directive broadside like center fed half waves?

Very nice. Since I am new at this..... these are end fed correct?

That's pretty cool. Is that a BNC connector? This kind of tinkering is beyond my current ability or patience...

Yep, that is what I am using, a G90. Great little radio. Love the tuner.

That is for sure. I am all about home made as much as possible. Attached are a couple of pictures of my 10 meter antenna on a 30' pole. Made from two 102" SS whips cut 2" inches shorter and attached to a Procomm DP4MFPL dipole mount. I have been able to talk to guys in Italy and Germany, all with 20 watts out. This is a great hobby.....

Thanks guys. Very much appreciated.

The hamexam.org flashcards were a really big help to me (I just passed my General class test this Saturday). Thanks for the tip!!!!

Well, After studying my butt off for several weeks, I took the test Saturday for General class and passed (35 out of 35). I do have to say thanks to the guy who gave me the link to hamexam.org where you can do flash cards of the questions, it really helped!!! Now on to new bands... maybe I will try out 17 meters or 20 meters in the coming weeks.

I had a blast this weekend on 10 meter dx. I was able to talk to people in Italy and Bavaria and a lot of contacts to Texas as well. All on 20 watts and a dipole at 30 feet high. What a fun hobby.

Thanks to all of you for the kind words and encouragement. I am studying for the General test and will be checking out the two links provided by you guys. Thanks again!!!

When I passed the Tech test (35 out of 35) they did offer me to take the General test but I chose not to because I had not studied for it.... Kind of wish I had taken it just to see how I would have done.