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New addition to the shack!

This is the new setup on the guest operator side of the shack. It's the IC-7700 along with a Heil PR31 microphone. This microphone produces an awesome quality audio. I often use this station when I am operating on 80m. I made the connections from the IC-7700 to the Yaesu Quadra VL1000 as per ab4oj.com and now I can switch bands seamlessly from the IC-7700 to the Quadra VL1000. I would highly recommend you folks to try the new Heil PR31. This microphone (PR31) is small, compact and a great center-piece to the station while producing a superb quality audio. It has a very good cardioid pattern and excellent rear axis rejection, an ideal microphone for ham shacks.

 

 

My Antennas!

Optibeam OB 17-4 for 10-15-20-40

 

OB 17-4

The station uses the OB 17-4 for 10m, 15m, 20m and 40m. It has 6 elements on 10m, 4 elements on 15m, 4 elements on 20m and 3 elements on 40m. In the past, I use to have a TH-7 stack and with this new antenna setup, I havent missed a signal or the stack. This antenna has given me a new band to explore on 40m and been enjoying it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-square on 80m

I have been working on a 80m 4-square since last winter. The vertical elements are wire elements and I used a #10 gauge solid copper. The 4 verticals are hung from the75ft tall trees in the woods and you cant even see the antenna wires.

Vertical base

I use the DX Engineering radial base plate. Each vertical has around 45 radials. I used a 2ft long hardwood dowel in the center to anchor the plate and also the vertical element.

Spot the Vertical !!

The woods in the back pretty much camouflages the antennas and you cant see them unless you are 5ft away from it. This is during the winter and I can only expect to become even more invisible when the spring comes and the trees start getting leaves on them. Infact I myself have tripped on the radials a couple of times and not knowing they were there.

 

 

 

 

The controller !!

I use the DX Engineering 4-square controller. It's the one covered with the white garbage bag. I have left a 1ft opening in the bottom for ventilation and to avoid condensation. The upside down kitty litter bucket covers the 50 ohm dummy load for the dump power. All the phase cables, control cable and the main TX cable run through the ground around 2 inches below the surface.

Copyright © 2010 Ken Garg · W3JK NY