Unbelievable!

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Unbelievable!

fserota
I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished building
my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming, this is
the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am so
impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can hear
the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without blinking. And
the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature, that you
would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.

 

And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
Unbelievable!

 

Fred Serota, K3BHX

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Re: Unbelievable!

WE5ST
Love this:
"And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
Unbelievable!"

I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds, last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!

On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished building
> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming, this is
> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am so
> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can hear
> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without blinking. And
> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature, that you
> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
>
>
>
> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
> Unbelievable!
>
>
>
> Fred Serota, K3BHX
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Jack - WE5ST
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Re: Unbelievable!

Don Wilhelm-4
Well, it did not get 300 mpg, but the 1989 Mazda turbo MX6 that I
recently gave to my daughter lasted me for 22 years and had over 250,000
miles on it - it only got 24 MPG in normal driving, and 30 mpg on a long
trip.  Loved the handling and responsiveness of that car, and found it
hard to give up because I knew I could not replace those qualities.  
Even after 22 years, the upholstery was still in good condition.

So it is with Elecraft gear - there may be other "bells and whistles"
introduced by other manufacturers, but the performance of Elecraft gear
is here to stay.  Yes, I drink the Kool-Aid, but there is benefit to
that too.  I have Field Test K2 SN 00020, and it will have to be pried
from my "cold dead hands" - that is my "pride and joy" - and it is fully
upgraded to the latest level.  That capability is now expected for any
Elecraft product - other manufacturers want you to buy a new transceiver
to get the upgrades.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/21/2012 6:19 PM, Jack Berry wrote:

> Love this:
> "And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
> Unbelievable!"
>
> I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds, last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>
> On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota<[hidden email]>  wrote:
>
>> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished building
>> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming, this is
>> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
>> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am so
>> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
>> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
>> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
>> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
>> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
>> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can hear
>> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
>> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
>> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without blinking. And
>> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature, that you
>> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
>> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
>>
>>
>>
>> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
>> Unbelievable!
>>
>>
>>
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Re: Unbelievable!

Phil Hystad-3
In reply to this post by WE5ST
>
> I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds, last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>

Actually, I would think that Elecraft would just skip the old antiquated car technology and build a nice
transporter like in Star Trek.



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Re: Unbelievable!

kevinr@coho.net
I have asked (more than once in fact) for a new and improved TARDIS.  
Wayne demurs.
    Kevin.  KD5ONS



On 1/21/2012 5:48 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

>> I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds, last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>>
> Actually, I would think that Elecraft would just skip the old antiquated car technology and build a nice
> transporter like in Star Trek.
>
>
>
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>
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>
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Re: Unbelievable!

alsopb
In reply to this post by WE5ST
Like all things too good to be true, this posting about the KPA500 is a
bit unbelievable.  Like cars, YMMV.

My experience with the KPA500 is much different.  I suspect Jack only
operates SSB.

On CW expect the fan to come on after a few transmissions in under 30
seconds.  Levels 1, 2 and sometimes 3 are often heard when doing some
rag chewing at 500 W.  The temperature stays below 70C as it should.
RTTY is about the same with contest type operation.   Expect the fan to
operate as designed for these modes.

It is not an absolutely quiet fan. I doubt Muffin type fans can be more
quiet that what is used on the KPA500.  One would have to go to a
centrifugal fan like used on some of the really silent big amps to have
it "pin drop" quiet.

73 de Brian/K3KO



On 1/21/2012 23:19, Jack Berry wrote:

> I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds, last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>
> On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota<[hidden email]>  wrote:
>
>> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished building
>> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming, this is
>> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
>> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am so
>> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
>> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
>> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
>> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
>> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
>> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can hear
>> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
>> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
>> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without blinking. And
>> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature, that you
>> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
>> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
>>
>>
>>
>> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
>> Unbelievable!
>>
>>
>>
>> Fred Serota, K3BHX
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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>
>
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>
>



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Re: Unbelievable!

Terry Schieler
In reply to this post by fserota
< K3BHX:  "And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
Unbelievable!">

I can't speak for everyone Fred, but if this comment was a response to MY post, you certainly missed my point.  I was not critical of the KPA500.  I don't even have mine yet.  But, the listed features alone blow me away and I look forward to getting mine.  I hope you're not including me in your "all you guys can say...." post because that just isn't true in my case.  I simply posted my personal reason for wanting the buttons on the KPA500 to match the other gear within my "K-Line".

I love all things Elecraft and shout praises for the E-Team from the highest rooftop.  I'm sure I'll feel the same when I get my KPA500.  

That said, the button color is a personal preference involving *esthetics*, not performance.  It's not a big deal.  And, it's an issue that someone else already found a quick and inexpensive fix for, should one want to change them.

OK, I'll button this up now.  ;o)


Terry, W0FM



-----Original Message-----
From: Fredric Serota [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 4:03 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] Unbelievable!

I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished building my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming, this is the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am so impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be, generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can hear the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without blinking. And the software gives you all the measurements, incl
 uding temperature, that you would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.

 

And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
Unbelievable!

 

Fred Serota, K3BHX



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Re: Unbelievable!

Barry Simpson
In reply to this post by alsopb
Hi Brian

My experience with the KPA500 exactly mirrors yours. After some fairly long
overs, my fan begins to sound a bit like a vacuum cleaner although nowhere
near as loud as my former linear, a Yaesu FL7000. I do not find any cause
for complaint. It is simply a fact of life.

I am also bewildered by people who say they never hear the fan in their K3.
Mine comes on almost from the start and I can always hear it, even with my
headphones on.

73

Barry Simpson  VK2BJ

On 22 January 2012 11:40, Brian Alsop <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Like all things too good to be true, this posting about the KPA500 is a
> bit unbelievable.  Like cars, YMMV.
>
> My experience with the KPA500 is much different.  I suspect Jack only
> operates SSB.
>
> On CW expect the fan to come on after a few transmissions in under 30
> seconds.  Levels 1, 2 and sometimes 3 are often heard when doing some
> rag chewing at 500 W.  The temperature stays below 70C as it should.
> RTTY is about the same with contest type operation.   Expect the fan to
> operate as designed for these modes.
>
> It is not an absolutely quiet fan. I doubt Muffin type fans can be more
> quiet that what is used on the KPA500.  One would have to go to a
> centrifugal fan like used on some of the really silent big amps to have
> it "pin drop" quiet.
>
> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>
>
>
> On 1/21/2012 23:19, Jack Berry wrote:
>
> > I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds,
> last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
> >
> > On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota<[hidden email]>  wrote:
> >
> >> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished
> building
> >> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming,
> this is
> >> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
> >> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am
> so
> >> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
> >> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
> >> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
> >> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
> >> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
> >> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can
> hear
> >> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
> >> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
> >> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without
> blinking. And
> >> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature,
> that you
> >> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
> >> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
> >> Unbelievable!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Fred Serota, K3BHX
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
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> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >
> >
> > -----
> > No virus found in this message.
> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4757 - Release Date: 01/21/12
> >
> >
>
>
>
> -----
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> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4759 - Release Date: 01/22/12
>
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Re: Unbelievable!

Igor Sokolov-2
Hi Barry,
I suspect your RX noise level there is very low. When I put headphones on
first thing I hear is 59 + noise on most of the bands. Sure enough I am
never bothered by fan noise of my K3.
All of the above is said to tell how much I envy you :)

73, Igor UA9CDC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Simpson" <[hidden email]>
To: "Brian Alsop" <[hidden email]>
Cc: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 1:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Unbelievable!


> Hi Brian
>
> My experience with the KPA500 exactly mirrors yours. After some fairly
> long
> overs, my fan begins to sound a bit like a vacuum cleaner although nowhere
> near as loud as my former linear, a Yaesu FL7000. I do not find any cause
> for complaint. It is simply a fact of life.
>
> I am also bewildered by people who say they never hear the fan in their
> K3.
> Mine comes on almost from the start and I can always hear it, even with my
> headphones on.
>
> 73
>
> Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
>
> On 22 January 2012 11:40, Brian Alsop <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Like all things too good to be true, this posting about the KPA500 is a
>> bit unbelievable.  Like cars, YMMV.
>>
>> My experience with the KPA500 is much different.  I suspect Jack only
>> operates SSB.
>>
>> On CW expect the fan to come on after a few transmissions in under 30
>> seconds.  Levels 1, 2 and sometimes 3 are often heard when doing some
>> rag chewing at 500 W.  The temperature stays below 70C as it should.
>> RTTY is about the same with contest type operation.   Expect the fan to
>> operate as designed for these modes.
>>
>> It is not an absolutely quiet fan. I doubt Muffin type fans can be more
>> quiet that what is used on the KPA500.  One would have to go to a
>> centrifugal fan like used on some of the really silent big amps to have
>> it "pin drop" quiet.
>>
>> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>>
>>
>>
>> On 1/21/2012 23:19, Jack Berry wrote:
>>
>> > I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our
>> > minds,
>> last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>> >
>> > On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota<[hidden email]>  wrote:
>> >
>> >> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished
>> building
>> >> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming,
>> this is
>> >> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
>> >> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I
>> >> am
>> so
>> >> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and
>> >> thought
>> >> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
>> >> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another.
>> >> My
>> >> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
>> >> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
>> >> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can
>> hear
>> >> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the
>> >> high
>> >> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
>> >> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without
>> blinking. And
>> >> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature,
>> that you
>> >> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up
>> >> with
>> >> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
>> >> Unbelievable!
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Fred Serota, K3BHX
>> >>
>> >> ______________________________________________________________
>> >> Elecraft mailing list
>> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>> >>
>> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> > ______________________________________________________________
>> > Elecraft mailing list
>> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>> >
>> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> >
>> >
>> > -----
>> > No virus found in this message.
>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> > Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4757 - Release Date: 01/21/12
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1416 / Virus Database: 2109/4759 - Release Date: 01/22/12
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
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Re: Unbelievable!

Phil Hystad-3
In reply to this post by Barry Simpson
On KPA500 fan...

My fan will only kick on after a somewhat sustained signal.  This occurs at about the
one minute mark for SSB and maybe about the same for CW but my CW transmissions
do not always cause the fan to switch on.  I monitor the temperature too and it seems
to run cool.

Note that the efficiency of heat removal has a lot to do with not just external
air temperature but also the density of the air which of course is affected by
humidity too.  And of course, the availability of surrounding air currents that
help to cool without the fan.  My KPA500 is in a fairly open room where the
average air temperature is about 68 degrees.

phil, K7PEH

On Jan 22, 2012, at 11:58 PM, Barry Simpson wrote:

> Hi Brian
>
> My experience with the KPA500 exactly mirrors yours. After some fairly long
> overs, my fan begins to sound a bit like a vacuum cleaner although nowhere
> near as loud as my former linear, a Yaesu FL7000. I do not find any cause
> for complaint. It is simply a fact of life.
>
> I am also bewildered by people who say they never hear the fan in their K3.
> Mine comes on almost from the start and I can always hear it, even with my
> headphones on.
>
> 73
>
> Barry Simpson  VK2BJ
>
> On 22 January 2012 11:40, Brian Alsop <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Like all things too good to be true, this posting about the KPA500 is a
>> bit unbelievable.  Like cars, YMMV.
>>
>> My experience with the KPA500 is much different.  I suspect Jack only
>> operates SSB.
>>
>> On CW expect the fan to come on after a few transmissions in under 30
>> seconds.  Levels 1, 2 and sometimes 3 are often heard when doing some
>> rag chewing at 500 W.  The temperature stays below 70C as it should.
>> RTTY is about the same with contest type operation.   Expect the fan to
>> operate as designed for these modes.
>>
>> It is not an absolutely quiet fan. I doubt Muffin type fans can be more
>> quiet that what is used on the KPA500.  One would have to go to a
>> centrifugal fan like used on some of the really silent big amps to have
>> it "pin drop" quiet.
>>
>> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>>
>>
>>
>> On 1/21/2012 23:19, Jack Berry wrote:
>>
>>> I'm with you Fred. I wish Elecraft made cars. They would read our minds,
>> last for 20 years and get 300 mpg!
>>>
>>> On Jan 21, 2012, at 4:03 PM, Fredric Serota<[hidden email]>  wrote:
>>>
>>>> I don't usually say much on these lists. But I have just finished
>> building
>>>> my KPA500, and I have to say that in my almost 50 years of hamming,
>> this is
>>>> the most incredible piece of equipment I have ever had. Now, I am not
>>>> related to Elecraft in any way. They don't even know who I am. But I am
>> so
>>>> impressed with the quality of components and the engineering and thought
>>>> that went in to this little package that I may sell my other amp (name
>>>> starts with the first letter of the Greek alphabet) and buy another. My
>>>> other amp is so noisy, the fan runs so loud and the "QSK" relays
>>>> clickity-clack" when sending CW. The KPA500 is as silent as can be,
>>>> generates over 600 watts without any noise at all. The only time I can
>> hear
>>>> the fan is when I shut down the amplifier, it turns on to bleed the high
>>>> voltage to make it safe if you want to poke inside. No other piece of
>>>> equipment I have ever had does that. It follows the K3 without
>> blinking. And
>>>> the software gives you all the measurements, including temperature,
>> that you
>>>> would ever want to know. And the satisfaction of breaking a pile up with
>>>> half the power I usually run, puts the fun back in operating.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And all you guys can say is you don't like the color of the buttons.
>>>> Unbelievable!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Fred Serota, K3BHX
>>>>
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