My “Ham Shack” Nov 2010

Let me start by saying I really hate the term “ham shack.” “Ham” makes us sound like a bunch of porkers (which admittedly, does describe a good portion of the amateur radio community – self included… see hamsexy). Then you’ve got “shack.” When you think of the word shack, it doesn’t exactly convey imagery of well constructed facilities that you’d like to spend a lot of time in, does it?

In any event… I got my technician license back in June of this year, many thanks to Rowan Hawkins KC2KPI. I opted for a vanity call sign as the one the FCC assigned me (KC2YPI) was very close to my friends Rowan, and JustBill KC2YPJ. So, now I’m N0BDW (that’s November Zero Bravo Delta Whisky).

I’ve been addicted ever since. I currently own 5 radios… 3 handhelds and 2 mobiles.

Pictured from left to right is the Motorola JT1000 (field programmable), Motorola HT1000, Wouxun KG-UV2D and last but not least is the Icom IC-228H mobile (along with it’s super over-kill Pyramid PS-36KX power supply). The Motorola HTs are single band 2M 16 channel radios w/ 5W output. The Wouxun is a dual band 2M/440 with 5/4W. The Icom does 2M at 45W. I picked up the Icon and it’s attached power supply at the RaRa auction last week. So far I’ve been very happy with them and it’s great having a “base station.”

These are the antennas that I use while inside. The far left is very small, so you have to look closely. It’s a rubber duck that is essentially just a 50 ohm load. But it’s nice because I can wear the attached radio on my belt without getting stabbed in the ribs. Next is a 2M homemade J-Pole that I made with much help from the folks at Interlock Rochester. This is attached to the Icom. The other is one that is normally on my car, in use for APRS… it’s the Micro-Trak VHF Antenna V3 from Byonics. More on the car soon. The antenna happens to have an SMA connector on it which is what the HTs use, so sometimes I bring it in and hook it up to those. The J-Pole and the feed line for the Micro-Trak antenna are held to the window with suction cups. I wish I could mount an antenna outside but it’d be difficult with my current living situation.

I’ll put up details about the car install soon (which includes the one radio not pictured above). I’ve been meaning to do a video on the installation so maybe this will be my motivation to finally piece some clips together.