On Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:32:09 -0600, "Irv Finkleman"
wrote:

I actually asked permission. It is because I have always been
fair and honest that I am known as 'Fairly Honest Irv'.

If caught, I usually ask for forgiveness. It's easier than asking for
permission. I've gone by various names, none of which involve being
honest.

I couldn't take any test equipment or the Fluke 77, but
I luckily picked one up for $25 at a flea market.

I liberated my Fluke 75. Great DVM.

That's pretty common here in town. If an antenna is being
raised, even digging the hole for a tower, there is usually a
good turnout of the younger more able hams. Some say
that hams aren't like they used to be, but for the most part
I find them a good crowd.

The local help is mixed. In general, a work crew can be organized,
but it's not like it was 20-30 years ago. The problem is that the
bulk of the ham population is aging and thus unable to do many of the
dumb and dangerous things that are considered normal for younger hams.
I gave up tower climbing at age=50 and steep roof climbing at age=60.
If I can't find a way to not trip over the coax cables and walk into
the guy wires on my roof, I may need to give up flat roofs.

When dealing with 100ft+ trees, I hire a professional tree climber. I
also have him prune the tree at the same time. I have two stainless
sailing blocks (pulleys) up in the trees for raising wire antennas.
Unfortunately, the rope used to raise the antenna rotted and broke. If
I can find an excuse, I'll hire a tree climber to replace the ropes.

I wouldn't even loan it to my mother, had she been a ham,
but I've carried it to a few hams but did the testing myself.
It cost more than most of my rigs!

The MFJ-259B sells for $240 from various dealers. Your FT-817ND sells
new for about $600. Either you overpaid, or you're getting a sweet
deal on the radios.



--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558