1: Station Equipment
HF transceiver: Yaesu FT-1000D
Amplifier: Yaesu VL-1000
Standby HF transceiver: Yaesu FT-1000D
UHF VHF and 6 Meter transceiver: Yaesu FT-847
The antenna farm is being
dismantled and will be moved to the new qth at Lavington. It is not known
how much of the antenna system will be re-erected.
2: Antenna Systems
160 Meters
1/4 wave vertical consisting of a self-supporting AM broadcast antenna.
Elevated radial system
Feedline: Approximately 290' of 1/2" hard-line to main
junction box.
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
80 Meters
4-square using 4 Delhi 64' self-supporting towers mounted on custom build
platforms to allow for an elevated radial system.
Phasing box by Comtek, Model ACB-80
Feedline: Approximately 305' of 1/2" hard-line to main
junction box.
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
40 Meters
Tower #2: 180'
of 21" face guyed tower with steel guy lines broken with insulators.
Antenna #1
Hygain Discoverer 7-2 with 7-3 option. 3 element linear tuned beam at
185'.
Yaesu GS2800 rotor.
Feedline: Exactly 175' of 1/2" hard-line with 15' pigtail of RG213 at
antenna.
Antenna #2
Hygain Discoverer 7-2 with 7-3 option. 3 element linear tuned beam at
95'.
TIC General Inc. Model 1032 ring rotor with dual drives.
Feedline: Exactly 175' of 1/2" hard-line with 15' pigtail of RG213 at
antenna.
Phasing System: Array Solutions Stack Master.
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
30 Meters
No plans at this time
20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 Meters
Tower #1: 180'
of 21" face guyed tower with steel guy lines broken with insulators.
Antenna #1
Hygain TH11DXS, 11 element log periodic design at 185'
Yaesu GS2800 rotor
Feedline: Exactly 175' of 1/2" hard-line with 15' pigtail of RG213 at
antenna.
Antenna #2
Hygain TH11DXS, 11 element log periodic design at 125'.
TIC General Inc. Model 1032 ring rotor with dual drives.
Feedline: Exactly 175' of 1/2" hard-line with 15' pigtail of RG213 at
antenna.
Antenna #3
Hygain TH11DXS, 11 element log periodic design at 65'
TIC General Inc. Model 1032 ring rotor with dual drives.
Feedline: Exactly 175' of 1/2" hard-line with 15' pigtail of RG213 at
antenna.
Phasing System: Array Solutions Stack Match
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
Tower #3:
24" face self-supporting 60' commercial tower.
Hygain TH6DX 6 element tri-band beam at 60'.
Ham IV rotor
Feedline: Approximately 260' of 1/2" hard-line with 6'
pigtail of RG213 at antenna.
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
3: Feedline System
Tower #1; Stack Master to Main Junction Box: two 140' runs of
1/2" hard-line.
Tower #2; Stack Master to Main Junction Box: two 490' runs of
1/2" hard-line.
160 Meter Vertical to Main Junction Box: one 290' run of
1/2" hard-line.
80 Meter 4-square to Main Junction Box: one 305' run of
1/2" hard-line.
Main Junction Box to Ham Shack: two 190' runs of 1/2"
hard-line.
Remote Antenna Switch: RatPak by Array Solutions
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
4: Remote Control
I am now active with a remote base control system from the
home qth in the evenings. The system consists of Skype software for the
audio for voice over internet protocol. Radio control is accomplished with
the use of TRX Manager software. This allows for band and frequency
adjustment, ptt, filter selection, split operation, rotor control of both Yaesu
rotors and much more. Presently working on remote control software for the
TIC ring rotors. Also looking at software for switching the 4 square and
selecting antenna combinations of the stacked beams. Email me if you have
any questions.
5: Mobile Equipment
Mobile rigs in 2003 Chevrolet Pickup (VA7VR-14 aprs)
Yaesu FT-100 primarily
for HF and 6 Meters and backup on VHF and UHF
Kenwood TM D700A primarily for VHF, UHF and APRS
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
Both radios were spit mounted. The FT 100 RF deck was
mounted under the back seat and the TM D700A RF deck was mounted under the cup
holder tray in the main center console. The GPS V Receiver was installed
in the overhead console. The remote GPS antenna is located in one if the
clearance lights on the roof.
Mobile antennas: ATAS 100 for HF - 6 Meters
2 X Diamond SG7500 for VHF and UHF
Mobile rig in 2002 Chevrolet Corvette (VA7VR-11 aprs)
Kenwood TM D700A
Mobile antenna: Diamond SG7500 Dual Band
Click on thumbnail for full size view.
The control head is mounted just above the center console just
below the DVD/Navigation display. The APRS GSP is installed in the center
console storage compartment. A 6" diameter plate of 1/8"
aluminum was glued to the bottom of the trunk lid and the antenna base was
installed through it for added support. The radio was mounted to the trunk
side of the latch support column located between the seats. The GPS
antenna is just above the back of the radio.
Latest Updates
November 29, 2001. The station is up and running locally
now for almost a month. First indications seem very
promising. Have worked about 116 countries with mostly
S9+ reports. On-air tests with Europe have indicated about 5-6 db gain
when using 3 TH11 beams over any individual TH11. I have been having so
much fun on 10-20 meters that I haven't tried out the other antennas as
yet. Will have lots of time this winter to do that.
January 01, 2002. 160 countries worked. No sign of
second 40 meter beam.
April 01, 2002. 210 countries worked. 100+ on 10 meters,
60+ on 12 meters, 100+ on 15 meters, 70+ on 17 meters, 100+ on 20 meters,
30+ on 40 meters. Second 40 meter beam has arrived. Hope to install
it as soon as the snow is gone.
July 15, 2002. APRS activated from antenna farm.
October 19, 2002. Finally go the second 40 meter beam up and just
waiting for delivery of Stack Master phasing box from Array Solutions.
Should be operational in a couple of weeks.
November 15, 2002. Phasing box installed on 40 meter stack and ready
for testing.
August 9, 2004. Have been busy repowering the boat with diesel engines
and have had very little time for ham radio. I am a bit behind on QSL
cards but will get caught up as soon as the boat gets done. I am looking
forward to winter so that I can work the airwaves again. 254 countries
worked to date.
Future Plans
I will be experimenting with other antennas on the HF
bands. Maybe a rhombic or a log periodic or other mono-band beams or
quads. I am also looking at 6 meters somewhere down the line but nothing
finalized as yet. Eventually, I will also try some EME as that has always
intrigued me.
Building The Temporary Ham Shack
If you have some interest in construction
principles, you may want to check out the shop construction pictures.
