KK1D Shack

Last updated: January 1, 2009

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.

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 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, 27 years later the rhombic antenna poles are still visible in the 2008 Google Earth imagery. Look inside this KML polygon with Google Earth.

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.