TGO David

Scott, you wouldn't happen to have a SWR meter handy would you? If so, I might like to take you up on some assistance when my gear gets here.

I agree with this.

Sent you a reply. Sorry for the delay!

You know, I don't know why I didn't think about this sooner but I've actually got a new Samsung netbook that I won at a conference a while back. I loaded it up with XP rather than the stripped down Windows 7 Starter that came on it. I could probably be persuaded to sell it for a reasonable price. I originally thought I'd just use it when I was on-call, but keep carrying my full-size laptop that work issued me instead.

Technician only asks very simple questions about CW. They don't actually expect you do know the alphabet or anything like that.

Cool, thanks for the advice. I'll start looking into those models.

Thanks guys. I'm back to thinking about radios again. I was all set on the Yaesu 7900R but now I'm thinking that maybe the 8900R would be a better choice for the long term since I'm 99% sure I'll be going back and taking the General exam. Thoughts?

I don't like Dell anything. Every IT shop I've been a part of has used them at one point or another and eventually switched to something else. Dell's laptops are notorious for LCD and hard drive failures.

I'd shop around and find someone wanting to sell previous-generation MacBook, as you'll probably find one for not a whole lot more than you're wanting to spend on an underpowered Windows netbook. I've seen the last generation (silver key, aluminum body) MacBook Pros going for under $800 in some auctions. I'm a Windows guy 8am - 5pm M-F but I'm a diehard Mac fan after hours. It's nice to have a laptop that just freakin' works without constantly screwing around with bad apps and malware.

Studied a little bit on Thurs and Fri. Took the test this morning. Passed Technician with 31 out of 35. Guess I could have done better with a book or something, but this will get my feet wet. They offered to let me take General but I didn't want to waste $15 on the test not knowing what sort of questions I might see. Turns out this was a smart move as I only scored 63% on the practice test I took cold-turkey when I got home. 74% is a passing grade, so I need to polish up on the HF specifics for Amateur radio. Just ordered the ARRL General guide book and will see about taking the test for it next month.

This is why I love this place.

You should have told her how tacky it was. Because, I'd have liked an AAR on how it played out. You telling a woman bad enough to get her neck tattooed how tacky it was, I mean.

Hmmm. Probably because they have carfax, kbb and autotrader sized-budgets paying for carfax, kbb and autotrader sized server farms.

Nope... but I do have a Battlemug.

Server overload has become a problem again. I am working as hard as I can given time constraints to get us moved to a new server before June.

Define glitchy and finicky?

You're not wearing your Junior Moderator badge... so... no.

As I told Straightshooter... I'm open to this idea provided enough people are interested and provided it is capable of generating sustained traffic. In other words, it needs enough posting interest to keep from drying up.

If you don't want to spend a lot, then any of the heat activated finishes will do alright for your needs. I'd go with either Norrell's Moly Resin or Cerakote. I still only prefer Duracoat for plastic bits and pieces.

Question: Are any of the other sites you guys frequent also running the exact same version of vBulletin that we are here? Version 3.8.5. If not, it may very well be a software related issue that you just aren't seeing elsewhere, and is specific to something about your setups. All of which would be moot soon once I complete the software upgrade that I've been a little more open about mentioning lately.

There are conflicting reports on this one, but I carry my Form with me both as a regular size, laminated copy in my range bag and as a reduced size laminated copy in the pistol grip storage compartment of my AR itself. Why? Even if the BATFE doesn't require you to have the Form on your person, we are all too aware of the fact that police officers simply cannot know every aspect of every law on the books. Further, while some officers are enthusiasts just like you and I, there are still others who do not care much about guns and then others who simply do not like them at all. I carry my Form for the chance that an officer is present and inquires about the legality of my weapon. I'd rather be able to show him "ze papers" on the spot than have him temporarily confiscate the item (or detain me) until I can obtain them from the safe deposit box. Just makes life less complicated.

Again, I know you don't want to hear this but we have over 7,000 members and over 1,000 unique registered visitors a day. Only a few people have reported experiencing the issue you are suffering and none of them have reported suffering it after clearing browser cookies or some of the other usual fixes. So, questions about your setup: 1. What operating system? What patch level (i.e. service pack) 2. What browser? What plugins? 3. What antivirus software? Firewall? Anti-spyware? 4. What internet provider?

No, I agree it would be nice to have. I'll definitely look into it once the software upgrades are done.

You sir, are a man of discriminating tastes.

Congrats! Wishes of health and prosperity for the young lad!