‰  NOW 30 WPM  ‰  TEXT IS FROM NOVEMBER 2012 QST  PAGE 62‰

EFFORT, I WAS ABLE TO CONTACT WELL KNOWN AM ENTHUSIAST TIM SMITH, WA1HLR,
IN SKOWHEGAN, MAINE A DISTANCE OF 250 MILES.  TIM REPORTED AN S8 SIGNAL
WITH GOOD TRANSMITTED AUDIO.  A HALF HOUR QSO ENSUED, POINTED WITH LAUGHTER
AND APPRECIATION FOR THE NOVELTY OF A LOW POWER, HANDHELD AM TRANSCEIVER.
AT HOME, USING MY FULL SIZE DIPOLE ANTENNA, THE HT 7 RECEIVES WELL ENOUGH
TO PICK UP THE TYPICAL ATMOSPHERICS AND MAN MADE NOISES COMMONLY HEARD ON
40 METERS.  AMATEUR AM STATIONS ARE RECEIVED LOUD AND CLEAR, PROVIDED THAT
RECEIVED STATIONS ARE TRANSMITTING ON OR CLOSE TO 7R290 MHZ, THE HT 7S
SINGLE CRYSTAL CONTROLLED OPERATING FREQUENCY.  AT A MINIMUM, THE HT 7
MAKES A GOOD 7R290 MHZ MONITOR.  WITH GOOD CONDITIONS, I EXPECT TO MAKE
CONTACTS WITH MY DIPOLE ANTENNA BUT THE HT 7 IS DESIGNED FOR WALKING AND
TALKING.  I FOUND THE OPTIONAL WHIP AND ANTENNA TUNER A 57 INCH WHIP AND
MIRACLE ANTENNA DUCKER IL MODEL TUNER TO BE ADEQUATE FOR LOCAL CONTACTS.  I
ALSO DECIDED TO EXPERIMENT WITH A LOOP ANTENNA FOR WALKING AND TALKING SEE
SIDEBAR.  THE OPTIONAL 11R1 V, 4000 MA/H LI ION BATTERY PACK IS WELL WORTH
THE 45 PRICE TAG.  IT HAS A BUILT IN CHARGING CIRCUIT THAT PREVENTS
‰  END OF 30 WPM TEXT  ‰  QST DE W1AW  ƒ