NC7M's Antenna

My latest antenna adventures

72' US Tower

Top 4 element 15m

Center 4 element 20m

Bottom 2 element 40m

Delta Loop 80m 

110' Verticle Loop 160m

The antenna was up just in time to operate W1AW/7 September 3 - 9 2014. I talked to more than 1800 people during the event mostly CW. Though SSB allows for more greetings, CW pile ups are flat out fun.

   NC7M's Shack

My 18' X 18' shack has a raised floor 24" above the concrete. All of the coax and control wires run under the floor in wire trays through 5" holes in the shack to two operating configurations, either multi - two for contesting or into the center for single operator contests and everyday use. Here is the SO2R/everyday configuration. The radios are identical and amps are close in style. This makes recognizing device controls easy on the brain. There is a lot going on in the shack, radio devices and control settings should be the least of your worries.

 I color coded each band.  This visually helps me identifying coax switch positions, and amplifier dial settings. Notice the white circles around the left amplifier knobs, (Made of outdated QSL cards from a previous QTH) I used colored pencil lines for CW and colored pen lines for SSB. The lines are made where the plate/load pointers will line up for best power output for that mode. As you can see the coax going into the switch has been marked with colored electrical tape. This same tape color code is used for the long runs of coax under the floor and out to the antennas. When you’re on a creeper scooting around under the floor, trying to find the correct coax in the yard or looking up the tower this is a terrific visual aid and helps prevent mishaps with so much wire.   

Hope I have a chance to work you sometime and if I am already in your log, THANK YOU.

 

I am the ARRL 7th District QSL Bureau Chief. If you need help with bureau information please e-mail

7thareaqslbureau@gmail.com

ARRL 7 District QSL Bureau Address:

ARRL 7 District QSL Bureau 

Willamette Valley DX club

P.O. Box 5993 

Boring, OR 97009-5993 

 

The 7th Area QSL Bureau only handles INCOMING QSLs. To send your cards via the bureau please visit www.arrl.org/outgoing

FOR MY DX FRIENDS, SENDING ME A CARD VIA THE BUREAU IS LIKE SENDING IT DIRECT. Please use the bureau it is much less expensive for us both.USA please send Self Adressed Envelope, no stamp is required.