W7SX is ex-WN9RAT, WA9RAT, WA9RAT/HR2, and SV1/W7SX. Licensed since 1966, DXCC Honor Roll, 2x5BDXCC (>200 on each band) + 160 meter DXCC, 5BWAZ (200) ARRL Life Member, ARRL Technical Advisor. e-mail: w7sx@live.com

LANE COUNTY, OREGON GRID SQUARE CN84

QSLing: I answer all QSLs via the bureau or direct. Please include SASE for direct, otherwise the return will go via the bureau. I still keep a paper log, but I answer all LOTW QSL requests. Simply send the request via e-mail and I will enter the QSO on LOTW if you are in the log.

The top photo shows W7SX in the Pinot noir vineyard (yet another hobby). I also built the log home from trees we cut on the property. To the right is the homebrew tower, TH6DXX and homebrew 6 meter Yagi. We also have a 4-wire antenna farm for the low bands.

We are located in the heart of Oregon wine country. The QTH is located at the top of Demming Ridge with 200 foot drops to both the east and west. To the north is a more gradual downward slope, the southern take-off angle is about level.

Main interests include working DX, especially on low bands, designing and building antennas, antenna tuners and other equipment. I answer all QSL cards, keep in contact with old freinds and enjoy meeting new friends on the air. Our QTH is about 20 miles west of Eugene, Oregon in the Coast Range Mountains and about 40 miles from the Pacific Ocean. I recently got on 6 meters and am finding many new adventures on the magic band, working Sporatic-E, and, hopefully soon, F2 DX. I just qualified for DXCC Honor Roll, and am only one QSO/QSL from CWDXCC Honor Roll.

This photo shows the complete operating position including two 6 foot racks containing two GS35b Russian triode 1.5kw homebrew amplifiers, one for 160-10 meters, the other a monoband 6 meter amp, wire antenna and tuner selectors, selector switches, and 8 high power tuners for instant QSY. The entire station is homebrew except for the K-3, four Johnson Matchboxes, and a rebuilt TH6DXX. Eight tuners are homebrew, along with the wire antenna farm, homebrew self supporting steel tilt-over tower that I welded together, a control and selsyn motor direction indicator for the prop pitch motor rotator, the 4-square RX antenna for 160/80 together with the 8-direction control box using passive phase shifters. Three foot-operated switches control the tower rotor and a foot-to-transmit switch that can control any combination of rigs and amplifiers. .The racks also contain a serious stereo system when the bands go dead.

The next photo shows W7SX at the feedpoint of the European Curtain-Zepp in our back garden. The curtain-Zepp is essentially a mini-Bobtail wire curtain for 160 and 80 meters and an extended double Zepp for 40 meters.The Curtain-Zepp for 40, 80 and 160 meters (for Europe, the MIddle East, and East Africa) was described in February 2010 QST. Also published a paper on vertical antenna radiation resistance in June/July 2009 QEX, Maximizing Radiation Resistance in Vertical Antennas, and over 60 additional articles and papers in both professional and amateur publications. Recent additions have included the construction of a full-wave reflector loop in back of the Bobtail for Europe, providing about 6 dBi at 15 degree take-off at 30 degree azimuth (right down through central Europe).

These two photos show details of the homebrew 160-10 meter amplifier.

This photo shows the interiror of the homebrew controller for the 4-square 160/80 meter receive array. This direction selector is somewhat unique in that it uses passive phase shifters rather than transmission line shifters. Shown in the picture is my old Corsair II.finally divorced for the K-3 this year.After a 25 year marriage with the Corsair, the separation has been a difficult emotional and logistic challenge, but it will be best in the long term.

This photo shows the detail of the prop pitch motor (I was told off a WWII B-24) mounting at the base of the tower. The permanent gin pole is securely bolted to the base under the rotor. The two inch mast runs the length of the tower.The selsyn motor is driven by a velcro strap and provides the direction indicator system (an identical selsyn motor in the box in the shack). T-11 exterior siding is bolted to the base of the tower with one side hinged for access, and a small roof overhead to prevent direct contact with rain and snow.

The homebrew steel tilt-over tower (design and welding by W7SX) with old TH6DXX and a homebrew 6 meter Yagi. The tilt-over feature negates the climbing of the tower and makes for easy antenna adjustments on the ground. An automotive wench serves as the power for raising and lowering the tower. This photo also shows the Oregon State Tree, the Douglas Fir in some detail. Its nice living in a section of the world covered with 140 foot antenna masts!