N1BUG Station

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This picture of the shack, taken December 31, 2010, shows the new monitor layout.
Quality isn't the best as it was taken with a webcam (N1BUG Cam) in challenging lighting conditions

This is a low budget operation. With the exception of one transceiver (bought with the proceeds from selling a 20 year collection of VHF/UHF gear), most everything is either home built (from scrounged and salvaged bits wherever possible), modified surplus, or resuscitated. The station is still in "recovery" from a direct lightning strike on my home in June, 2007. I was very fortunate! Although there was considerable damage, the irreplaceable items (transceiver, amplifiers, etc.) survived with only minor injuries!

Software

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. My preferred method of partcipating in the chat is KST2Me, because it has some nice added features and best of all eliminates the delays associated with page refreshing.

Note: Just to be clear, I despise all versions of Microsoft Windows. I run Windows only for ham radio activites (because unfortunately all the really good DXing/contesting software requires it). I use linux for everything else.

Band	Transceiver
160-10m	Yaesu FT-2000
6m	Yaesu FT-2000

Band	Amplifier
160-10m	N1BUG design homebrew 4CX1500B
6m	N1BUG design homebrew 4CX1500B

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
160m	100 foot shunt fed tower (6m 7el on top)	2
160m	Inverted V at 75 feet	1
80m	Inverted V at 103 feet	1
40m	Inverted V at 75 feet	1
30m
20m	Mosley TA-33 at 26 feet
17m
15m	Mosley TA-33 at 26 feet
12m
10m	Mosley TA-33 at 26 feet
6m	Homebrew 7 element yagi at 100 feet	2
2m
70cm
V/U OTA TV	Fixed 165°, at 82 feet	1
2.4G Wifi	15 dBi yagi pointed north, at 78 feet	1

Below is a map showing the arrangement of my antennas.
Color code for location of key items:

		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 somewhat 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 in 2011, I hope.

Last update April 2, 2011