My set-up:
My main rig for all HF frequencies is the Yaesu FT-2000. This is a fairly new addition, replacing the older FT-1000MP which I was using before. Although the 1000MP is a very good rig, I thought the FT-2000's better receive capabilities would be a good improvement during the occasional use of the Linear.
My second rig is the Yaesu FT-847 which, besides LF and HF also has 50, 70, 144 and 433 MHz capabilities. It is usually used with the supplied fist-mike due to the fan noise, but at times I may use an Adonis AM508E desk microphone with a two stage compressor.
The MFJ-962D ATU which has an AirCore Roller Inductor is rated up to 800W PEP SSB O/P (I should be so lucky) is usually used in the 'through or direct' position as my antennas are resonant on the bands I am usually working on, but if a fault does occur it is very handy to be able to make use of this tuner.
The Ameritron AL-811 Amplifier is used very rarely indeed, as a little patience while using 100 Watts is far more rewarding than QRO. Even during these 'flat' times it is still possible to work every country eventually, and I think that a reasonable resonant antenna is far more important than an amplifier.
The antenna presently in use for HF is the MQ-26SR, which is a 'miniature' six band Hybrid Quad antenna, mounted on a 35 foot wind-up mast. Please see fuller details by clicking on the 'MQ-26SR' tab located above on the right hand side.
For 40, 80 and 160 meters I use a loaded dipole which runs down the eaves of my bungalow and shoots off across the front and back garden, sometimes being no more that 2 meters above the ground. Theory tells me that this isn't very efficient, and indeed it isn't, but I have managed a distance of 6517 Kilometres with this wire antenna (however, I was very reliant on the other stations better set-up).
