Hi everyone,

I've decided that I'd like to get a Yaesu FT-891 HF+6m rig and a Yaesu ATAS-120A screwdrivewr antenna for my home station. I live in a tiny
Section 8 apartment and while technically I am not allowed to put up
antennas, I do have a large aluminum access ramp professionally mounted to
the front porch for my mobility scooter. My property manager knows I'm a
ham, am EMCOMM trained, and am involved with SKYWARN so she doesn't mind if I have a few small antennas on it.

I have a copper J-pole and the ATAS-120A is small enough to put on the ramp
and not draw too much attention.

However, living solely on SSDI and a small VA (veterans' disability)
pension doesn't lend itsself to saving much money so I am considering
selling all of my extra RF gear I don't use to try to put away to get the
radio and antenna.

I've been off the air since April 2019 and I sure miss being on the air.

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean

... To a cat, "NO!" means "Not while I'm looking".

--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Hello Sean!

18 Apr 26 20:12, you wrote to all:

I've decided that I'd like to get a Yaesu FT-891 HF+6m rig and a Yaesu ATAS-120A screwdrivewr antenna for my home station. I live in a tiny

I have heard that the FT-891 is a good radio. I have the FT-857D (2) and the FT-991 and an old FT 747GX. One of the FT-857D radios is used for packet radio forwarding, currently on 40 meters as well as 15 meters. If you are into digital modes, you can get a DigiRig and play on HF packet using VARA HF and other packet modes.

Section 8 apartment and while technically I am not allowed to put up antennas, I do have a large aluminum access ramp professionally
mounted to the front porch for my mobility scooter. My property
manager knows I'm a ham, am EMCOMM trained, and am involved with
SKYWARN so she doesn't mind if I have a few small antennas on it.

It's good that she allows for that. You can only do what you can.

I have a copper J-pole and the ATAS-120A is small enough to put on the ramp and not draw too much attention.

I also have a copper J-pole and a couple of others made of steel. One is for 70cm only, another two for 2m. I don't believe I have any dual-band J-poles. I also have the ATAS-120A, but I need to take it apart again and see what the issue is with the motor. Likely a loose connection.

However, living solely on SSDI and a small VA (veterans' disability) pension doesn't lend itsself to saving much money so I am considering selling all of my extra RF gear I don't use to try to put away to get
the radio and antenna.

As I approach retirement, I realize that I will likely have to stop buying things I want and only save to get the things I need. I really don't buy what I want any more, either. The company was bought out last year and the new owners have cut down on any overtime. I'm OK with that, I really value my time at home. (Although as I type this, I am at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area in one of the campgrounds) I have a dual-band VHF/UHF vertical and a random wire, mostly suitable for 40 meters. I've been checking my Winlink email through the W6RAY-10 RMS, as well as the packet BBS on both 40m (VARA) and 70cm and 2m AFSK 1200 bps packet.

I've been off the air since April 2019 and I sure miss being on the
air.

It's about time. I know of your health issues of late and wish you the best. If I was a bit closer, I would come help you get back on the air. I don't see us getting back that way any time soon. We visited my son and his family in 2020 and 2021 in northcentral Arkansas (Fulton County), which isn't too far away from Johnson City, TN (compared to California). Hopefully, you can find at least one local ham to assist you with your station.

... To a cat, "NO!" means "Not while I'm looking".

That is SO TRUE! We have 4 cats and a dog, and you get on to them for something, and as soon as they think you aren't looking, they start it again.

73 de Ray Quinn
Home QTH Visalia, CA
DM06ii


... A Smith and Wesson beats four aces.
--- GoldED+/W64-MSVC 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: Ray's Road Node | Somewhere in California! (1:214/23)

Ray Quinn wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

I have heard that the FT-891 is a good radio. I have the FT-857D (2)
and the FT-991 and an old FT 747GX. One of the FT-857D radios is used
for packet radio forwarding, currently on 40 meters as well as 15
meters. If you are into digital modes, you can get a DigiRig and play
on HF packet using VARA HF and other packet modes.

My good friend Justin KE4PCX has a FT-891 and really likes it. He also has
a DigiRig and highly recommends it. I am just wanting a small, simple set
up though I'd like to get a small (400W or so) HF amp just because.

I love digital modes. I like PSK31, Olivia, Feld Hell, RTTY, and a few
others. been olff the air since 2019 so I'm a bit rusty.

It's good that she allows for that. You can only do what you can.

As of May 5, I'll have lived in this apartment for five years and it doesn't look like I'd be moving any time soon as there's no Section 8 housing
available that's open in my area.

I do keep to myself though I am neighborly and do know my neighbors.

I also have a copper J-pole and a couple of others made of steel. One
is for 70cm only, another two for 2m. I don't believe I have any
dual-band J-poles. I also have the ATAS-120A, but I need to take it
apart again and see what the issue is with the motor. Likely a loose connection.

I have a Yaesu FTM-3100 for 2 meters and an older Motorola radio for GMRS
and 440. I even have an Azden 220 radio as my club has a 220 repeater also.

My club (I am a founding member): https://www.netrc423.org

It's about time. I know of your health issues of late and wish you the best. If I was a bit closer, I would come help you get back on the air.
I don't see us getting back that way any time soon. We visited my son
and his family in 2020 and 2021 in northcentral Arkansas (Fulton
County), which isn't too far away from Johnson City, TN (compared to
you with your station.

The good thing is that when I get the equipment, I have friends who will
help. Arkansas isn't that far from me, probably 6-7 hours.

That is SO TRUE! We have 4 cats and a dog, and you get on to them for something, and as soon as they think you aren't looking, they start it again.

Cats would make great politicians...

73 DE KS4TD,
Sean


... A black cat crossing your path means the animal is going somewhere.

--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Re: Re: New statoion
By: Sean Dennis to Ray Quinn on Thu Apr 30 2026 20:17:59

I even have an Azden 220 radio as my club has a 220 repeater also.

You sure it's a 220? I can't find any reference to that model. The closest I came was the 2200, a mobile unit. I had an Azden HT in the '80s, so I was curious if that was the model I had.
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* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

Mortar M. wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

You sure it's a 220? I can't find any reference to that model. The closest I came was the 2200, a mobile unit. I had an Azden HT in the '80s, so I was curious if that was the model I had.

Positive. It's an Azden PCS-4200.

https://www.rigpix.com/azden/pcs4200.htm

(I should take a good picture of it and send it in to that site.)

73,
Sean


... Tomato paste: what you use to fix broken tomatoes.

--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Re: Re: New statoion
By: Sean Dennis to Mortar M. on Sun May 03 2026 14:18:14

Positive. It's an Azden PCS-4200.

Yeah, that isn't the same as an "Azden 220".
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* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

Hello Sean!

Sorry for the loooon delay. Life has been busy of late.

30 Apr 26 20:17, you wrote to me:

My good friend Justin KE4PCX has a FT-891 and really likes it. He
also has a DigiRig and highly recommends it. I am just wanting a
small, simple set up though I'd like to get a small (400W or so) HF
amp just because.

I would like to get an amp as well. All of my radios are 100 watts or less. It can be plenty if the conditions are good and you have a good antenna system (including feedline, etc).

I love digital modes. I like PSK31, Olivia, Feld Hell, RTTY, and a
few others. been olff the air since 2019 so I'm a bit rusty.

I believe I have mad one or two contacts on PSK31 a few years ago. I have ONE contact using FT8.

As of May 5, I'll have lived in this apartment for five years and it doesn't look like I'd be moving any time soon as there's no Section 8 housing available that's open in my area.

I hope you find something suitable for you. We've been in your situation before, actually living with family. Yech!
We were fortunate and finally moved into our own house on July 29th 2016 at age 53. We will be celebrating ten years as well as having it halfway paid off. (20 year loan) I can remember it very well. We (my wife and I) loaded up the entire house into a U-Haul and drive across town and unloaded the entire house. My parents showed up just in time for my (then) 73 year-old dad helped me move the couch and refridgerator. The temperature reached 109 that day. Yes, one hundred and nine degrees. But, as they say, "It's a dry heat." Additionally, I am fortunate that my parents are still here and healthy.

I have a Yaesu FTM-3100 for 2 meters and an older Motorola radio for
GMRS and 440. I even have an Azden 220 radio as my club has a 220 repeater also.

I'm not familiar with the 3100. I looked it up just for curiosity sake. Last November, we (the radio club (www.tcarc.net) assisted the family of one of our members (SK), who was a retired radio technician for the National Park Service. He had radios, repeaters, parts, and more things that I can't even begin to remember and the family donated it to the club. He and his former subordinate are responsible for us having the prime repeater site in the Sierra Nevada at over 7500 feet.

My club (I am a founding member): https://www.netrc423.org

I can't bee a founding member of our club. It started in 1956, a few years before I was born. We just celebrated our 70th anniversary with a Special Event Station, with the call W6T. I wasn't able to participate, but was able to at the recent Field Day (WA6BAI). If you go to the website above, you can view the repeaters we have at that site. Too many to list here.

In the 1980's, I was a founding member of a PC users group, now disbanded.

The good thing is that when I get the equipment, I have friends who
will help.

That is good. However, lately, we have been helping disassemble stations due to them becoming a Silent Key. Some good news is there is some young hams that seem eager to learn and some looking for Elmer. Mine, sadly, passed on Tax Day 2020 due to complications with diabetes, with which I am all too familar. :-(

Arkansas isn't that far from me, probably 6-7 hours.

I checked the distance, out of curiosity. Roughly 10 hours and 630 miles. My wife wants to visit a museum in Kentucky and, while there, I'd like to visit the very small town of Visalia, KY - the namesake for Visalia, CA. Another place we'd like to visit is the Grand Ol' Opry in Nashville as well as the old Ryman Auditorium. I don't really see us doing that any time soon.

Cats would make great politicians...

Skunks do too.

... A black cat crossing your path means the animal is going
somewhere.

So true. As I type this (I'm at my work QTH), I have to place the keyboard on one of the pull-out trays on this old desk because the shop mascot, Susie, is taking her nap where I usually have my keyboard. A stray that was hiding inside the shop. She finally started coming out of hiding because one of the other drivers was feeding her from his lunch. Now we ALL take care of her and she is so spoiled. The boss' wife paid for to get her spayed and get her shots.

73 de Ray Quinn
Visalia, CA USA
W6RAY / WRKZ506
DM06ii


... A Smith and Wesson beats four aces.
--- GoldED+/W64-MSVC 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: "Ray's Road Node | Somewhere in California! "! (1:214/23)