More than a hobby, it's a lifestyle! Life. Life saver. Something like that.
I had a significant antenna disaster in a December 2020 storm. I was very fortunate to be able to rebuild in 2021. Although I am fortunate to have a very capable station, it has taken over 30 years to get to this point. Much of it is either home built (from scrounged and salvaged bits wherever possible), modified surplus, or resuscitated.
Software is very important in what I do -- namely DXing and some contesting. I use DXLab applications for logging, transceiver control, spotting, distance/bearing calculation, award progress tracking, and many other functions. I cannot say enough good things about DXLab! I would be lost without it! I also find DX Atlas to be invaluable. It interoperates wtih DXLab.
I usually have Loop Recorder running, which is how I captured all of the DX sound files on this web site.
For contesting I use N1MM Logger+.
I often hang out on the ON4KST Chat pages.
Note: Just to be clear, I despise all versions of Microsoft Windows. I run Windows only for ham radio activities because unfortunately all the really good DXing/contesting software requires it. I use linux for everything else.
| Band | Transceiver |
| 2200m (QRT) | Homebrew transmitters, receivers / QRP Labs U3S beacon |
| 630m (QRT) | Homebrew transmitters, receivers / QRP Labs U3S beacon |
| 160-10m | Yaesu FT-2000 |
| 6m | |
| 2m | Yaesu FT-2000, Q5 Signal L144-28 transverter |
| 2m FM | Icom V-8000 |
| 135cm | Yaesu FT-2000, Q5 Signal L222-28 transverter |
| 70cm | Yaesu FT-2000, Q5 Signal L432-28 transverter |
| Band | Amplifier |
| 2200m (QRT) | Modified W1VD Class-D |
| 630m (QRT) | GW3UEP/K5DNL/N1BUG Class-E |
| 160-10m | N1BUG design homebrew 4CX1500B |
| 6m | N1BUG design homebrew 4CX1500B |
| 2m | Modified N4PZ GS-35b |
| 135cm | BLF278 driver, Harris Platinum 1kW TV SSPA |
| 70cm | none |
| Band | Antenna | Tower |
| Low band RX | 4 reversible Beverages covering 8 directions, 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°. Lengths between 542 and 587 feet | |
| 2200m (currently down) | 90 foot vertical with top hat, resonated by variometer at base | 1,2 |
| 630m (currently down) | 90 foot vertical with top hat, resonated by variometer at base | 1,2 |
| 160m | 100 foot shunt fed tower (TX-11DX at 98 feet, OptiBeam OB1-4030 at 108 feet) | 2 |
| 80m | Inverted V at 104 feet | 1 |
| 40m | OptiBeam OB1-4030 at 108 feet | 2 |
| 30m | OptiBeam OB1-4030 at 108 feet | 2 |
| 20m | Hy-Gain TH-11DX at 98 feet | 2 |
| 17m | Hy-Gain TH-11DX at 98 feet | 2 |
| 15m | Hy-Gain TH-11DX at 98 feet | 2 |
| 12m | Hy-Gain TH-11DX at 98 feet | 2 |
| 10m | Hy-Gain TH-11DX at 98 feet | 2 |
| 6m | Homebrew 7 element yagi at 105 feet | 1 |
| 2m | Homebrew 13 element yagi at 120 feet | 1 |
| 2m FM | in transition | 1 |
| 135cm FM | Home built K1FO-22 at 115 feet | 1 |
| 70cm FM | Homebrew K1FO-40 at 110 feet | 1 |
| 5.8G Wifi | 24 dBi dish pointed north, at 90 feet (network link to repeater site) | 1 |
| Shack | ||
| Tower | ||
| Beverage | ||
| Beverage feed box | ||
| Beverage reflection transformer |
Three Beverages are end fed; one is center fed to reduce the length of feedline required.
The aerial photo is outdated. In 2010 many trees were taken out in the area between the towers and around the N/S, NE/SW Beverage feeds as part of my antenn farm "weed removal" project. More weeds to be eliminated eventually, I hope.
Last update January 4, 2022