This if for those of my readers who are licensed Amateur Radio operators (I guess that limits it to you, Kevin).

Today I received the Buddipole I ordered last week. This evening, I went out on the deck and set it up, connected to my FT-897D. I managed to hear a fellow in Eugene, Oregon (I'm in Virginia, don't forget) talk to a buncha folks, but the coast-to-coast propagation on 40 meters (7227 MHz, specifically) made him an attractive target, and I couldn't break through the pile-up.

But I remain undaunted. I'll be setting up my portable station again soon (probably tomorrow) to see who I can talk to ("with whom I can talk" for the gramarians out there). I'm interested to see what this unique antenna can do for me.