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Welcome to my Virtual Shack Tour...
My Shack is setup to be very convenient for ease of operation. I can operate 2 HF radios at the same time
and antenna switching will allow any of my HF antennas on any two radios with the flip of a few switches.
Everything is 100% operational, and in top condition, if its not, I fix it as I enjoy repairing and restoring
the older radios. I really enjoy collecting and operating my Drakes, and they are operated daily.
I can also operate 2 VHF/UHF radios @ the same time, so it is very functional. It is always changing, so come
back often to check it out.
Hi, I am Alan - W4LGH, and my buddy here is WingField.
I hope you enjoy the virtual tour . My Shack is a mixture of OLD and NEW Equipment,
as I get a real blast our of restoring and operating the old stuff, especially my Drakes!
If I am in here on the air, Wingfield is usually somewhere close by! He is a 33lb
Orange Tabby, and loves to play ON the radio. Some of you may have heard him as 3rd party traffic.
I think he'd get his own license, but because of his PAWS, he has a hard time mastering a CW key.
You are also welcome to send me a photo of YOUR shack, and I will post it on my "Other Shack" Page.
Wingfield The "HamCat"
Playing "ON" the radios again!
This is an older photo, but to cute to replace!
The Shack from a different Angle.
Another interesting Angle View of Main Operations
Special QSL received from Barney W4GBO
This is one Special QSL for sure, and will be enjoyed for many years to Come! Thanks Barney!
The "Big Tube" (Shack Nite-Lite)
View from the operators position.
Did a little re-arranging today and added the NEW FT-2000 w/ SP-2000 Speaker
CAD XLR-2200 Studio Condenser Microphone.
(Audio from this Mic and EQ is fed to both the FT-2000 and The Drake TR-7A)
HRD Computer Control of the FT-2000
Behringer 10Ch. Line/Mic Pre-Amp & EQ
Behringer DSP-110 Digital Audio Processing
Fully programmable Digital Noise Gate & Compressor w/ Limiter
Newest edition to the Shack.. Yaesu FT-2000
Yaesu FT-857D Now in my Mobile!
Close up of the AOR ARD-9000 Digital Voice Controller
AOR ARD-9000 & MFJ-1260 to Manually Switch Analog/Digital
When running in Digital Mode, the unit will auto switch between analog & digital mode
but since I have a Special Audio setup, I can switch manually between modes.
My DrakeVintage Radio Collection!
Is this a True Drake Fan or what?
The BLUE Glow of the Drake 4-B Line On-Line.
(Now fully restored and fully operational and used daily!)
Have been using this radio just about every evening on the OPEN 20M band!
Drake Side of the Shack, including the Drake L-7 Amp!!
Built new shelves to hold it.
Close up of my Drake TR-7 & MS-7 Speaker
This TR-7 has been updated to a TR-7A with original Drake parts!
Close up of the Drake TR-3 / MS-3 Speaker
(Along with a Rare Drake RCS-4 Remote antenna switch and another 4B System )
My Newest edition to my Drake Collection... A Pristine L-7 Amp
(Now both amps are Drake!)
The Drake L4B Covered.
Cover came with Amp, but thinking about getting more of them.
Drake L-7 Amp now on-line as Main Amp!
Modified HV PS for 3200Volts!
Very rare Drake RCS-4 Remote coax switch!
Not Drake, but a nice vintage radio!
1964 Vintage National NCX-5 HF Transceiver, now on-line!
The Receiver is pretty Hot on this ole NCX5
Couple of REAL Antique Radios
From Left: 1946 Pilot Tuner FM, 1931 Motorola AM, both play fine.
The Shure Mics too! 522 and the good ole 444.
Working Side of the Shack.
Tektronix Dual Trace/Trigger / Wavetek 3006 RF Generator / Bench Freq. Counter
And the "HAM CAT" watching over things!
Tektronix 2213 60Mhz Dual Trace/Trigger Scope
Wavetek 3006 10kc-550mc RF Generator
Sinometer VC2000 2.4Ghz Frequency Counter
Close up of FT-897 & FT-857D Radios
Used as main 2M, 6M & 70CM transceiver, also Backup HF
JetStream JTPS45 45 Amp Switch Mode Power Supply
This is supplying 13.8VDC to Everything!
My newest project, Multi-Radio/Amp Keyer.
One Footswitch controlling Multi-Radios/Amps. Completely Isolated using relays.
This design can be expanded to control as many radios & different amps as needed.
Portables ( YAESU VX-170 & VX-1R)
Any Antenna to any Radio Control for HF and VHF/UHF
Assortment of Power Meters
Including Drake W4 & JPS Audio Processor
Final HF Power Metered thru Drake WH7 ,switched RCS-4 Remote Switch
New to the Line-Up.. a VFD Digital Meter w/3000Watt Sensor.
This is hooked to the Drake L4B. See Next Photo..
1360Watts w/55Watts of Drive..Not to Bad!
Notice PLATE CURRENT meter, only showing 700ma, will go over 800Ma, but not needed.
Classic D-104 Station Mic
This D104 is now wired to my National NCX-5...seems to match up pretty good.
Comet GP-15 Tri-Band for 6M, 2M & 70CM
One of my HF Antenna 80-10Meters, Inverted V abt 50' @ Apex
Also have a Cut 40-Meter inverted V for Southcars , a Fan-Dipole
for 12/17-Meters & a Spi-Ro D-58 hooked to the Drake 4B Line.
Also have the New Buckmaster OCF 7-Band 3000W Dipole , and it works Great!
Full compliment of Instant Backup Power.
2-100AH-RESV Sealed 12Volt Marine Batteries, 2-400watt AC inverters, 45AH Solar Charged Storage.
Both 100AH batteries are maintained with automatic "Float" Chargers.
For longer backups, a 8000watt generator can supply the entire house.
Fully Mobile/Portable or for Emergency Operations
Yaesu FT-817(SOLD) So now we will do this with the FT-857
w/internal Batteries / Ant Tuner / Long Wire Antenna / Tools / Plugs & Cables
Limited Edition #184 Miniature CW Key from Morse Express
(Would like to collect more of these ,not only are they beautiful, they are very functional!)
Ameritron AL-80B HF Amp
(Now is the Standby Mode)
Oregon Scientific WMR-968 Wx Station.
This system feeds the LIVE Weather to the website.
Misc and Special Event Certificates.
Southcars NCS Award.. Visit us on 7.251Mhz / Southcars.com
Southcars is in operation everyday 7days a week from 8-10am & from 12-2pm Eastern.
We run the BUS on Saturday's from 12 to 1pm Eastern.
Station Clock - Sync'ed w/Atomic Clock in Boulder
Photo of our LOCAL RADAR Software, tied into NWS
This gives us LIVE real time radar updates!
FT-857-D Setup in the mobile operation.
(Made my own Separation Cables & Mounted in Console )
Flush Mounted into the SUV's Console, Very easy to get to!
Still using the ATAS-120A Antenna on a K400 Mount.
This install was NOT without it's electrical problems. RF was getting back into
the radio, not allowing it to tune properly. Some ferrite chokes in strategic places, a direct ground
to the car body, and a .01 DC bypass Cap was added, for good measure.
That seems to have taken care of the RF problem. DC hookup is temporary.
Using an ATAS-120A for HF-Mobile Operations
The ATAS-120 is a Super Performer for 40 - 10Meters
ATAS-120A on the Motorcycle?
I had to take this photo. Actually I went and picked up this antenna on the bike.
It was tied on to the Sissybar for transport, but I did get some looks from people.
The QTH in St. Augustine! See any Antennas?
You have to comply with those CC&R's! (hihi)
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed the virtual tour of my Ham Shack,
and that you'll VISIT our page displaying
some of our buddies Ham Shacks as well.
73 de W4LGH
Updated 03/03/08 @ 0430 UTC