6M and HF:

Station is comprised of a Kenwood TS-480HX, powered by a pair of Alinco DM-330MV Switching Power Supplies, single coax fed to a Lightning Bolt 2 Element 5 Band Cubical Quad at 60' feet on a Tri-Ex W-51 Tower. Rotator is the Yaesu G-800DXA fitted with an IdiomPress Serial Interface Card for Computer Control. Alternate Antennas are: an 82' Alpha Delta DX-CC Multi-band Dipole and 140' Cobra UltraLite Sr. Folded Dipole. Both are flat top configurations at 49 feet, and suspended NE to SW.

Station Operation & Control:

Entire Station is controlled by Ham Radio Deluxe Software (Thanks, Simon!!) see: http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/, for Rig and Rotator Control, Logging, GoogleEarth Mapping, DX Cluster Spotting and Reporting, BandScope, Satellite Tracking, SWL, and more. Additional Software: Kenwood's ARCP-480, DX Atlas, IonoProbe, Band Master, and Ham CAP. All running on a HP 830 D Pentium Dual Core PC, 3GHz, 3GB RAM, 750GB Drive, Win XP Pro, w/ Wireless Keyboard. Wireless control of the PC and of the entire station (including wireless tuning) are accomplished via the outstanding Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=us,enand Ham Radio Deluxe. A Keyspan Bus Powered 4-Port High Speed USB Serial Adapter http://www.keyspan.com/products/usa49wg/ connects Four (4) RS-232 Serial Devices (Rig, Rotator, and two (2) Rig Programming Cables) to a single USB Port on the PC to make everything work seamlessly.

The Digital Modes:

The Digital Modes are worked using Ham Radio Deluxe Digital Master 780 (DM780). DM780 has replaced PSK31 Deluxe and is bundled with Ham Radio Deluxe -- all for FREE. The station's digimodes operation has recently been enhanced with the installation of a TigerTronics SignaLink USB External Integrated Sound Card device, effectively freeing the PC's internal sound card for other uses. Prior to the SignalLink USB's installation, an LDG RCA-14 Breakout Box (essentially a Patch-Bay-in-a-Box) was used to facilitate the wiring connections between the TS-480's Mini 6 Din Data Jack and the PC's Soundcard. This is absolutely the easiest and most flexible way to connect the TS-480 to a PC!! No fussing with soldering or fabricating tiny mini-din connectors, no jumpers, no hassle!! Just plug and play -- the way it should be!! The TS-480 requires no special interface and its connections are fully isolated, so set up is a breeze. The included LDG high quality Din Cable handled the radio side of the connection, with high quality common RCA patch cables fitted with RCA to 1/8" stereo mini phone adapters (Radio Shack P/N: 274-0378) handling the PC Soundcard connection. When LDG's Mini 6 Din cable is plugged into the LDG Box, the signals appear on its output RCA Jacks 9 through 14. When that same cable is connected to the TS-480's Data Jack, signals from Pin 1 (TS-480 AF Input) and Pin 5 (TS-480 AF Output) appear at the LDG's RCA jacks 9 and 13, respectively. RCA patch cables are connected to the LDG's RCA output jack 9 (TS-480 AF Input) and RCA output jack 13 (TS-480 AF Output) with their other ends connected using RCA to 1/8" stereo mini phone adapters to the PC's Soundcard Output and Input jacks, respectively.

Ham Radio Deluxe Support Forums:

As one of the HRD and DM780 Test Team Members and Forum Moderators, I invite you to visit the HRD Forums at: http://forums.ham-radio.ch for the most update, accurate and complete information regarding HRD and DM780. The current Ham Radio Deluxe Suite Version 5 is truly outstanding!!

Microphones, Headsets & Speakers:

Mics are Dual Cartridge Heil GoldLine GM-5 (Pro and HM-5), and Dual Cartridge Heil HM-10 (HM-5 and HM-4). Headset/Boom Mic is HM-5 version of Heil Pro Set Quite Phones. Other Headset is a Sony MDR-V6. Speakers are a pair of Yamaha DM-01 Powered Speakers, and a Motorola 13W External Water Resistant Remote Speaker Model Number: Motorola HSN4039A (non-powered) for outdoor, field or backyard use when the TS-480's internal Control Panel speaker isn't being used.

VHF & UHF Base Operations:

The station is also equipped with a Kenwood TM-D710A Dual Bander providing VHF+VHF/VHF+UHF/UHF+UHF operation as well as EchoLink, APRS, and built-in AX.25 compliant TNC. The TM-D710A rig offers 50 Watts output on both bands. Matched to a Comet CA-2x4 MAX Ultra High Gain Dual Band Base Antenna (rated at Gain/Freq of 8.5dB @ 146Mhz and 11.9dB @ 446MHz) the station puts out a really nicesignal! The Comet CA-2x4 MAX is 17.7 feet in height. It has been up (mounted just above the apex of the roof) since August of 1992, and is the predecessor of the current Comet GP-9 dual band base antenna. The antenna has, for years, proven to be a very durable performer, used for most of that time in conjunction with and to increase the effectiveness of the HTs -- that is before the TM-D710A arrived!! The TM-D710A also serves as an outstanding Cross Band/Locked Band Repeater!

Handie Talkies:

HTs are several Kenwood TH-F6A tri-banders, and Motorolas. Also with assorted Diamond, Comet and Maldol, PrymeHT Antennas,BNC to SMA adapters, Cigarette Lighter adapters, batteries, etc.

Mobile FM Operations:

Mobile FM Rig is a Kenwood TM-742AD w/ 2m, 220 and 440 modules, feeding a Diamond SG-7500 multi-band antenna on a motorized Diamond K-9000LRM Luggage Rack Mount. Speaker is a Kenwood SP-50B center mounted between the headrest support posts on the top of my driver's seat back. Most of my UHF/220/VHF activity is on the exceptional PAPA System http://www.PapaSys.com (Thanks, Cecil!!) covering Southern California. So when in Southern California give a call, or, dial IRLP Reflector Node 9358, or directly via the IRLP Hollywood Node 3190.

HF Mobile Operations:

HF mobile is equipped with a Kenwood TS-480SAT on a AA6A custom mount w/ a Hi-Q Cap Hat accessorized (Thanks, Charlie!!) High Sierra Sidekick Antenna (Thanks, Jim!!) using N2VZ's Turbo Tuner (Thanks, Bill!!). A pair of Diamond K-9000LRM brackets (Thanks: Wayne Bauman, Diamond Antennas) with a custom fabricated 3/8" aluminum plate fitted w/ a Hi-Q Giant Quick Disconnect (GQD) and Large Safety Spring supports the Sidekick antenna atop the BMW X5's driver's side factory roof rail. A Vanco Stainless Steel 4" medium duty safety spring and FireStik K-1A internal locking push and twist quick disconnect support an exceptional 16" Hi-QCap Hap (clover style) on a Hi-QExtender Rod (12"). Another K-1A quick disconnect atop the Cap Hat's Hub mates to the SideKick's stock 3' whip. The Mount and Antenna are grounded using Electric Motion Company'sMicroBond (#6 AWG) PVC jacketed eyelet grounding rope. Take a look at close up photos at: http://www.GreensteinLaw.com/AA6A/HFMobile.

Field Portable Operations:

For backyard, portable or field use of either TS-480, two 100' CAT-6 Cables have been prepared to allow the TS-480's RF Deck, power source and antenna to stay where they are in the shack or the car.Using these CAT-6 Cables, the rig's Head Unit (w/ built in speaker), and the Mic, are easily extended 100' from the RF Deck. It's a fully functional setup and has come in very handy, both, as a vehicle extender, and, for fixed station operation from the backyard. For more information see the article with the details at: http://www.eham.net/articles/11471.

For off the grid or emergency operation, a Honda EU-2000i Generator provides clean pure sine wave auxiliary power. Fitted with "The Upper Red Cap" Extended Run Time Fuel Tank System from http://www.MidwestHuntAndFish.com (Thanks, Jessica!!), the generator can safely run uninterrupted for up to several days without refueling! This exceptional fuel system replaces the Honda's plastic gas cap with an Aircraft grade CNC machined Aluminum fuel cap hence the name "The Upper Red Cap". Leak proof brass fuel fittings are used on, both, The Upper Red Cap, and on the marine grade auxiliary fuel tank. The auxiliary tank adds Six (6) Gallons capacity and a convenient fuel gauge. Also provided is a heavy duty factory pre-assembled marine grade fuel line with in-line priming bulb.

Health & Fitness:

For the past several years I've been actively getting back into top level fitness. The results I've achieved with POLAR® heart rate monitor training computer gear, inspired my prolific and open advocacy of their products. Consequently, I recently accepted Polar's appointment as a POLAR® USA Ambassador! Polar's site is: http://www.PolarUSA.com

Polar® heart rate and fitness assessment technology delivers unparalleled insight into the human body, from valuable training guidance and feedback, to enabling individuals to improve their fitness level and sports performance. Polar® training computers are the number one choice among consumers worldwide. Polar® technology is also key to the success of leading fitness facilities, professional, college and youth athletic teams, corporate wellness facilities, health insurance providers and thousands of physical education programs around the world.

As a Polar® USA Ambassador, my role involves promotional special projects, group and community activities, sports, race and charity events, and fundraisers. Polar® product demos, inserts, and giveaways, in-store, company and health club clinics, and mentoring Polar users are also involved. These activities communicate the benefits of Polar® gear, and that heart rate monitoring optimizes your health and fitness, weight loss, and conditioning results, regardless of the sport, exercise or type of workouts.

To discover more about how Polar® gear helps you train more effectively to achieve your health and fitness goals, and how Polar® gear donations, inserts, or giveaways may enrich the value of your group, company, community, or organization's charity events, fundraisers, tournaments, and more, please get in touch.

License Credentials:

• GLAARG VE Accredited, August 26, 2006.
• Obtained Call AA6A, January 7, 2006.
• Obtained Call AK9G, November 30, 2004.
• License Upgraded (Extra), November 3, 2004.
• License Upgraded (General), June 18, 2004.
• Obtained Call K6RSG, September 21, 2002.
• Originally Licensed (Tech) as KD6OGL October 6, 1992.

Informative Links:

• Kenwood In-Depth Manual TS-480 Series - http://www.kenwood.com/i/products/info/amateur/ts_480/pdf/TS-480_manual_E.pdf
• Ham Radio Deluxe User Forums - http://forums.ham-radio.ch/
• The PAPA System website - http://www.PapaSys.com
• Robert Greenstein LinkedIn Profile - http://www.LinkedIn.com/in/RobertGreenstein
• Polar® Heart Rate Training Products - http://www.PolarUSA.com