Back home where it belongs.

When I was first licensed in the late 90s I saw this radio and thought it was very cool so for some time I set out to buy one. I had an opportunity in 2004; to buy one brand-new in the box. But about a year and a half later; sadly I sacrificed it to buy another radio and it's been bugging me ever sense. I'm thrilled to report now; after sometime I now have one back in the shack. In fact I did not mind that it took almost three hours yesterday to set it up and get it running again.

To finalize the installation this morning another ham came by to assist in programming the radio; via computer. Happily this process only took mere seconds. As many of us known setting up a radio by hand takes hours or days. You got to love technology when it works.

I know for some time now this radio has been receiving bad reviews due to bad display issues but this is now the second radio; of this particular model and still no display problems. Oh I should mention I also have the remote head kit; the DFK-4C and I have no intention of letting that go. The remote idea comes in so handy. I can now say that radio speaking my check is complete.

Good things come to those who wait.

Lets see cents about 2003 my back and my backside have sampled about five different chairs; while sitting at the computer and/or the ham shack. And for about a year now I have been very selective about the kind of chair the two body parts mentioned above most satisfied and about three weeks ago I found just what I wanted. And to sweeten the deal it was $100 off, so timing was good and I just couldn't resist. And to emphasize again my back and my backside are thrilled.

My feet, legs, and knees however weren't very happy last night for a few hours because it took three hours; yesterday afternoon to put the thing together by myself. Here's a picture of it, personally I would like a more detailed picture because this one does not do it justice it looks very so damn comfortable. I now have a real motivator to play wow again; ha ha!

Can't be all bad.

Even though I don't have all my antennas in full operation, I'm not doing so bad on the HF bands. In fact in the last few days I have been doing quite well on 24 MHz with an 18 foot vertical antenna 28 feet in the air. I logged my first contact to northern Spain on that band. I think I'll be pretty proud of that for awhile, don't you?

With all this fun I've been having on 21 MHz, 24 MHz, and 28 MHz I've managed to send out a total of 18 QSL cards this week to a few states and further abroad. I'm still not complaining, yet I sure would love a break in the weather for the rise of one more antenna.

It sure does feel good to be back on the HF bands again with frequency and the reliability of good equipment; it's been a long time.