Just having gotten a 590, I love using the mic up and down keys 
when finding functions or numeric values within menus.  The box 
you talk about sounds very cool.  Jim WA6EKS

----- Original Message -----
From: Butch Bussen <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:24:18 -0700
Subject: Re: Has anyone here ever built a project from QST?

I wish I had the skill to build such a box.  Do you recall value 
for the
resisters?
73
Butch
WA0VJR
Node 3148
Wallace, ks.


On Wed, 22 Oct 2014, Steve Forst wrote:

 Mike,

 Not from QST, but if you are in tinkering mode, an external box 
with
 extra pf keys  is nice to have for the 590.    Colin from this 
list had
 built one for his TS-2000  maybe 10 years ago, and I  did one 
about a
 year and a half ago.  Since both use the 8 pin round mic 
connector, it
 is interchangeable between the 2 radios.

 While the 590 has 2 pf keys on it, it is always nice to have 
more.  When
 you set up the pf keys to give voice announcements  in TX like 
swr,
 comp, and alc, it kind of uses up the 2 keys.


 A couple of momentary push button switches, microphone in and 
out, and
 some resistors, and you are in business.

 BTW, if you have a mic with up/down buttons (even the stock hand 
mic)
 and can do without the up/down function, the 590 lets you 
reassign them
 to act as pf keys.

 Good luck with the new radio.

 73, Steve KW3A


 On 10/21/2014 6:56 PM, Mike Duke, K5XU wrote:
 I'm just curious.

 I have applied a few of the Hints and Kinks through the years, 
and I
 own a Tuna Tin 2 that someone else built.

 However, I have just recently bought the steel tape measure in 
order to
 build the vertical from the August, 2014 issue.