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-=> Randall Schad wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

 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.

 RS> I'm relatively new -- just got my ticket 3 years ago while I was off
 RS> work for an extended stretch due to surgery -- and this seems to be the
 RS> norm. It's a "win" to pass all three exams in one sitting, or
 RS> something.

 RS> I did Tech and General to get started, then got my feet wet for a few
 RS> months before upgrading to Extra. Even now, I'm still learning A LOT.
 RS> Massive credit to the welcoming guys in the local club who keep us
 RS> actively learning and honing skills.

I did tech with the intention of doing general for HF later, but went
ahead and did both the same day. My wife did tech only because her 
interest is not 'talking' but doing weather. She likes to chase storms,
or at least used to... Lots of stormy water under the bridge - medical
issues now, with us and her mom, etc.

 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.

That's what I'm looking to LATER after playing with the fan dipole I have
now... 

 RS> I found a template for a loading coil that I intend to print this
 RS> weekend. Wrap the coil around that template, wind up another 49:1
 RS> transformer, and hopefully have a vertical very similar to that Comet
 RS> to keep in the truck for mobile HF.

Interesting!!! Let us know how that goes!


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