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 ______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa@hotmail.com ======================================