KK1D Shack

Last updated: November 24, 2009

2009 shack.   Alinco DX-70TH transciever, Ten-Tec RX-320 and JRC NRD-525 receivers, with Falcon audio patch panel, keyer, Dentron MT-3000A and MFJ-1279 computer interface.   Antenna is a 140 ft dipole, fed with ladder line.   The computer, out of sight off to the left, is a dual core 64-bit Athlon running Fedora Core Linux.   Main radio software is fldigi 3.11, grig, and other hamlib applications all built from source code.   Don't worry, there are still some boatanchors in the basement shack.

Main listening post, circa 2004, with two R-392s, HQ-145X, SP-210LX, R-391, and NRD-525.  All are fed from the same antennas using receiver multicouplers, and all can feed the same speakers using an audio distribution system.

Shacks from the past....

1985, Nicolosi (Sicilia) Italy, on the southern slopes of Mount Etna.

1981, Nimitz Hill, Guam.  Icom 720A, roof mounted triband vertical and long wire antennas.

  I still use the radio desk in the right hand photo 25+ years later....

The 720A was also operated fixed-mobile from the car.   At Polaris Point in Guam's Apra Inner Harbor, there was a large HF rhombic antenna that was "orphaned" when a typhoon destroyed the station building.   Put the 720A on the front seat, bring a itty-bitty balanced tuner, and use alligator clip leads to hook up to the original feeders.   Working the states was never a problem, and it was pretty awesome on long-path off the backside, too.

Amazingly, 26 years later the shadows of the rhombic antenna poles were still visible in the 2008 Google Earth imagery inside this KML polygon   However, the latest imagery, and a check by a co-worker who visited the island in November 2009 confirm that the antenna is no more.

1978, Niantic, Connecticut. R-392, HB CW TX (out of view), Commodore Pet (8K w/ 32K RAM expansion), external normal/CW keyboard.

1976, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  R-392, Kenwood Twins, combo keyer/active audio filter, AN/GRA-93 CU-1696 and 180-S1 antenna tuners.   Antenna was a 400 foot long wire.

1972, Camp Androscoggin, Maine.   The Heron Bunkhouse Gang and me in the shack.   The Hallicrafters SX-117 and HT-44 were mine.   Many camps required radio counselors to provide their own gear.   This camp had some other gear, like the Multi-Elmac AF-67, and a Heathkit DX-100 around as well.   Antennas were multiple dipoles and a long wire.

1969, East Catholic High School Amateur Radio Club, Manchester, Connecticut, in the Physics Lab alcove.   This is where my ham radio career started 40 years ago.   The station had both novice (Eico 720 and Hammarlund HQ-110) and General/Advanced/Extra (Heathkit SB-101) rigs.   The antenna was an end-fed long wire antenna with simple L tuner.