AU-510 - I'm blown away!

I was first licensed in 1972 as a 5 wpm code novice. I started with a crystal controlled 50w tube transmitter and a halicrafters receiver. They were not interconnects so I had to turn off the receiver to transmit and turn it on 2-3 seconds before the end of my transmission. It was hard to operate and I lost many contacts because I could not always copy their calls due to receiver warmup.

My Dad told me if I passed the general he'd get me a better radio if I chipped in some money. So I worked around the yard, earned about $150 and I rode the bus from Santa Barbara to LA to take the general at the FCC. I passed! But you didn't get your license right away… You had to wait for the mail. Rode the bus home, my Dad met me at the bus station, I showed him my passing receipt. He put me in the car, we drove right back down to LA to Henry Radio. As we walked in a guy was returning some kenwood boxes. We asked what they were and it was the R-599 and T-599. Used open box we saved about $250 or so off the price and we loaded them up and drove home.

What a difference. Operating was now fun!

Fast forward to a busy life as an EE computer software developer. I think SDR and computer control is simply the way to go. I've had a 1500, a 6300, a 6500, a 6400, and a 6600. Being in an HOA my best antenna is an 80 meter loop but its still not great. So a little power helps.

I did some work for 403A and got a free PGXL and TGXL and for a number of years I've been oping at about 350 watts with these three devices.

Finally sold some stuff and got the Aurora. I'm blown away. This long weekend I operated it pretty much all day Saturday, Sunday and most of the day Monday. I did lots of CW, a ton of FT8 and the thing is not even warm. For my antenna's sake I'm only at about 350 watts but I have pushed it a few times to 500 for fun.

Sorry for the long post but this radio is the answer to so many things for me. What an amazing piece of gear. Thank you flex radio!