Hi Paul,
Sounds like you had more nice stuff than I have had, nice.
I know it can be hard to resist buying at swap meets, especially things that sparkle with LEDs and have knobs, you did well. 
No, I haven't tried FT8, I'll have a look.
I have my HF wires down while I have the excavator in the bush doing clearing, but can't wait to set it up again.
I assist with the local repeater gear, since I live on the mountain just beneath the summit where we have our repeater site hut crammed with all sorts of VHF and UHF, including DMR and other digital modes.
Local club site: http://www.vk7taz.net/
The weekend was busy with JOTA/JOTI.
I was thinking on the code for OP, it wouldn't take a lot to come up with what he wants, but as you say, it does take away the joy of learning. If he can come back with the code he has, then as you say, we are in a better position to help.
Maybe we can make contact on HF or DMR someday ?
Paul - VK7KPA