It's been an interesting few days here in our radio community.
I can safely say that everyone was universally as stunned as I was to learn of the W4OLG's death last Friday. I don't know if the club sent flowers or not, I only know there was some discussion or what to do. Without someone — like Charlie — who was “a do'er” of ideas, I don't know if anything was done. Charlie was a multi-tasker, but not even he could order his own flowers.
I attended his visitation Monday evening. I met my nephew and another ham leaving as I arrived, and I was the only ham there by that time. Charlie had many friends, and most of those in attendance were folks I didn't know.
I ran into some people I did know — most of them were associated with the local EM group. I met Charlie's son Huston and talked at length with him, as well as Joyce, his significant other.
I hate going to funeral homes, particularly alone.
I did not attend his funeral Tuesday morning. I was at the radio station down the street from the funeral home when they left for St. Joe's cemetery. There are a number of people wondering who is going to take up the gap left by his loss, in the club, in EMA and I'm sure in other areas he worked.
Over the weekend I checked in on 3950 and talked with his friends and talked with them about Charlie. They had heard he had passed away, but had no other details. I later e-mailed them a link to the newspaper obituary. I signed them in on his guestbook at the funeral home before I left.
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I mentioned sometime ago about the prices trending upward on eBay. The trend seems to still be “up,” and the sale of one of my FT-757GX's is proof.
I described what I knew about the rig; I used it for a week on CW and it was worked fine. It had some initial drift, but once warmed up it was fine. The case was in good shape, but not pristine. Apparently two or three bidders got in a bidding war, because the final prices was nearly $450!
For another $100 or so, you could buy a brand new FT-450 with capabilities only dreamed of when the FT-757GX was designed. I was stunned, half believing the sale price was a typo by a bidder. Who would pay that much for a 25 year old radio?
I was promptly paid and shipped the rig out. So far, so good, though I've wondered if I would get this rig back once the buyer realizes he overpaid.
I also sold the Drake R4A I bought that worked for about 4 minutes from a cold start. I described the symptoms, and made it clear it was a decent radio but I didn't want to fool with fixing it. It brought more than $60 more than I paid for it as a “working” receiver.
I had a weak moment and listed the Kenwood TS-430S that I've enjoyed listening to in the shack. I had a Buy It Now of $350 on it when I put it on about midnight; it sold in less than 11 hours.
I have some other stuff packed away in the attic that I'll probably sell soon. I have National NC-200 and NC-500 HF transceivers; a Swan 350C, and a couple of spare Hallicrafters SR-150 transceivers I picked up years ago at a good price. One of them needs the T/R relays rewired; the rig came from a Florida college station, and apparently there were issues with the T/R relays. The rig is pristine other than the botched relays. I also have a Hallicrafters power supply for the SR-150/160 that needs to have a filter cap replaced. That's not a tough fix, particularly since I have a couple of working examples to compare it to.
Of course, attic diving is best done when the temps are cooler. And fortunately, I went in a year or so back and arranged the boxes of ham gear in one general area, so its not like there's a lot of excavation needed (beyond a box or two of Christmas decorations).
Rather than spend the cash I've gained from conversion of my radio assets, I think I'll reserve it for the tower I've been wanting to install. About 40 feet of Rohn 25, braced against the house. I would like to put up the HyGain Thunderbird I got from Oak Bailey umpteen years ago (after checking it out thoroughly), as well as 5 elements on 50 MHz. Other than concrete, I expect the biggest expense to a a rotor.
I have the real estate for a 160-meter or 80-meter loop, only I need to put up supports, at least two. The loop could terminate at one of my chimneys, but due to the power line running to the house on the north edge of the property, the loop could only extend out to the south of the chimney. One support could go to the southeast corner, the other to the southwest, which would create a flat triangular type loop.
The tower will be the quickest thing to do. I have the tower and antenna. Add the concrete and rotor and turn gently, hi.
Enough of this, I have important check on parts to rebuild the Hygain Thunderbird.
73 … dit dit