Great write-up as well as N7USU's suggestion for wi-fi.
Question: Even though it would be less secure, am I also correct that you can do this without changing password up front?? Couldn't you VNC into the new pi, and then do the password change later using the graphical interface? That way you wouldn't need to remember the hex equivalent for 'foobar" (e0fd0472492935da), or whatever password you choose, right?
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73 de N5RKE
G.A.(Jerry) Minor