Primary radios
- Yaesu FTDX10
- µBITX
- Heathkit HW-7 QRP rig
The station
The Shack
A practical mix of modern HF capability, VHF/UHF coverage, QRP gear, favorite paddles, and just enough computing power to keep the digital modes moving.
Inside
Radios and supporting gear.
Every part of the station has a job. Some equipment is current, some is classic, and all of it is here to be used.
Local coverage
- Icom 2730
- Tram 2m / 440 MHz vertical
Tuning and power
- HW-201 amplifier
- MFJ antenna tuner
- Daiwa SWR and power meter
Outside
A deliberately simple antenna system.
The HF wire covers 80 through 6 meters. It runs through a tree to the far support, approximately 20 feet at each end and 40 feet at the center.
It tunes where I need it across the working bands except 160 meters. On 75 meters I use the manual tuner; elsewhere, the FTDX10’s internal tuner usually handles the job.
Antennas
- 80–6 meter end-fed wire
- Tram 2m / 440 MHz vertical
Keys and computers
The human side of the station.
Paddle collection
They all get used, but the Vibroplex Blue Racer and my other Vibroplex paddles remain the favorites.
Mac mini & Raspberry Pi 4
The digital modes run on a Mac mini or Raspberry Pi 4. The microphone is rarely invited. Neither is Windows.
On the bench: the µBITX
My µBITX has already received its share of upgrades. The next planned addition is a built-in digital SWR and power meter—another useful reason to keep experimenting.