[amsat-bb] Re: Wish List, The Ideal VHF/UHF Sat Rig

[Edward Cole]

At 01:39 PM 3/1/2010, Alan P. Biddle wrote:
>When I retired 4 years ago, I had a long list of things to do, get, or build
>on my ham radio To Do list.  After looking at the Flex 5K, I realized that
>well over half of them would be rendered moot by it.  Since virtually none
>of my operating is on HF, I have been waiting (and waiting, and waiting,)
>for the V/U module to be ready.  While waiting, I have gathered a few tools
>to go with it, including a GPS disciplined reference oscillator, so I will
>never need to wonder about what frequency I am really on.  It looks as if
>that time is almost here, and I will be able to retire my venerable FT-847.
>Who knows, I may even start working HF again.  And it will feel good to buy
>American again.  The last purely US Rig I had was from Hallicrafters.
>
>Alan
>WA4SCA
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Nice if you can afford it.  My advice is do not wait until retirement 
to buy that dream radio.  Living on social security and medicare does 
not provide for new toys!  I am stuck with having to convince my wife 
to let me spend $3K of my 401K for ham radio...haven't worked up the 
courage, yet.  We decided to withdraw $8K to payoff her new Toyota 
Sienna van so we are not having to come up with $600 car payments 
each month for another couple years.

I have figured out that interest on my 401K will just be enough to 
pay my income tax on my social security...wow!

What is my dream radio?  Elecraft-K3 (dual-Rx) with new DEMI 2m & 
70cm xvtrs.  I can't even think about a F5K (dual-Rx).
I do have an SDR-IQ, FT-847, and FT817.  Figured that selling the 
FT-847 would (maybe) pay for the new xvtrs.

Reality...I probably will have to quit ham radio when the FT-847 dies :-(


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
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