I’m planning on updating this Blog at least once a week or so. We’ll see how it goes – as it goes. Maybe more, maybe less, who knows?

Today, I’m chomping at the bit for the UPS man to arrive. It would have been the perfect day to play radio as it’s overcast and a little cooler than yesterday, but no FT-990 yet, so no Ham Radio.

The New (Used) Rig:  I’ve been watching and searching for a decent used rig the last couple of weeks. I found a used Yeasu FT-990 on eBay a week or so ago and it seems to be just what I’m looking for. I’ve noticed that FT-990′s go anywhere from about $700 to as high as $1,200+ depending on whether they’re AC or DC, what filters and accessories they’re equipped with, and also what condition the rig is in. For some reason I found (and bought) this one (DC model, with MD-1 mic) for $550. What was weird about it, I was the only bidder. All the others I’ve seen (I mean ALL) have 10 – 20 bidders by the time they sell. I have no idea why this one didn’t attract bidders, but I’m not complaining. The Ham that I bought it from also took my offer of $75 for the 35A power supply he was using, so for $625 I’d say that’s a pretty good deal from the looks of it.

I found a SP-6 with LL-5 Phone Patch on eBay yesterday for $140 “Buy it Now”. So now we’ll have the matched set when everything finally arrives (IF everything arrives safely). Seems when the word “FRAGILE” is stamped on the box anymore, it must be some secret truck driver code meaning “kick the shit out of it” anymore. We’ll know Wednesday if the rig and PS make it in one piece (or not).  Next week on the SP-6 to learn its fate.

Thanks to my friend Eric (KØKE) who had a booth at the local Hamfest here a couple of weekends ago. He found a pristine Heathkit SB200 before the doors ever opened to the general public. He worked the deal and stashed the amp for me until I got in the door. In this world, It still pays to know people. It’s not what you know, but who you know.  Case in point, another friend Hank, WØZU had a brand new MD-1 at the shack and said to give him $30 for it. Well hell, brand new MD-1′s don’t grow on trees, so I gave him $50 and that was still a deal. I saw a comparable Kenwood microphone at the Hamfest and even though it was scratched up and obviously well worn, they wanted $100. Now I have two, go figure.

More on the FT-890 that made it here but never made it on the air (US Postal Service dropped it on it’s nose) and more on the antenna situation in the next post.

73,

NØUN