Several years back, I purchased a Yaesu FTDX1200. Later, I was able to acquire a Yaesu Quadra System (1000w solid-state amp) and a Mosley triband yagi. For a couple years, I was running my dream station! I loved the big look of the FTDX1200. I had a custom 3 speaker external audio setup on the rig, a SignaLink, and a Heil PR-781. I devoted the whole room to being a dedicated Ham Shack!
At some point, life got busy. I was not very interested in playing on HF as much and when I did it just seemed too easy (yet cumbersome to deal with all the wires). Then, my wife and I started planning to move. The housing market being as it was meant we got a good offer quickly and with a quick closing date. The new place is in a subdivision with the dreaded HOA.
Instead of being worried or upset, I see this as an opportunity. I got rid of the tower and yagi, the Quadra System, Heil mic and boom arm, and traded the FTDX1200 for an ICOM IC-7300. I've been very impressed with the IC-9700 and since the perfect match to that rig is the 7300, I decided that would be a simpler and cleaner way to go. When we get moved, I'll experiment with antennas and I'm planning a home office with radios rather than a dedicated ham shack. I'm just using the 9700 and 7300 with their stock mics, and internal speakers. The funny part is...so far, I'm loving it. I've had just as much fun and am looking forward to the challenge of figuring out the antenna(s) I'm going to need at the new house.
73 fer now de W4LSG sk
