KD8EZU My Ham Radio Station ( in the garage!!)

[mobay1517]

Ark,

Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment. OH YEAH the shack was damn cold until I stuff insulation in the roof attic upstairs. Now with a kerosene heater running it is is a 8 out of 10 for comfort. I don't bother the wifie or anyone else and I can talk loudly. Wish I had a "man Cave" like you :>(

[ArkAngelz]

Nice lash up. I started out in my garage, but November rolled in and it wasn't fun any more. I moved everything to a room in the basement. Longer feedlines, but MUCH warmer.

[mobay1517]

Caveman ,

Thanks for looking

It's hard with four older radio's but they're all restored and aligned

and seem to work very well

73

Randy

[504caveman]

hay keep that stashon up and runing AKAke5njd

[mobay1517]

Thanks for looking.

Yep! It's paid up and hope I never have to use it!

[dorslv]

Fire insurance paid up;-)

[skippers96]

Did you ever Contact the ISS before?

[mobay1517]

@skippers96 Thanks for looking.

No never been so lucky or skiled. It must be exciting!!

[mobay1517]

Repub,

Thanks for the reply, It's not much , and the main emphasis was ( and still is ) to be able to put out a decent signal, with very good COMMUNICATIONS quality audio ( as opposed to BROADCAST quality audio) and for it to fit into my limited budget. I've been very lucky to have radio's given to me by my 2nd elmer K6JB ( now SK) and found the others thru eham.com and good luck. I'm hoping in 2011 to be able to erect a Hex Beam and finally have a good antenna to match all the radio's.

[republicansarecool]

nice setup there!

73

I operate LPFM station 104.7

[mobay1517]

@republicansarecool

Sorry I did not respond earlier than this

Thanks for looking and great on the LPFM station!

[electrodemike]

Nice setup, this is something I may look at doing. Nothing overly fancy like you see on the net with dedicated rooms but just something simple that works, Good job! :)

[mobay1517]

@electrodemike

Mike,

Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment.

Yes! It's very simple and crude ( ping pong table, wires everyware, three old computers and two printers,along with an enormous scanner added recently), but for me it works. Gives me a place where I can go and not bother the rest of the family. I've tried to insulate the garage but we'll see in the coming winter. It is nice to have dedicated ham shack, but not always possible

thanks Mike....73

[504caveman]

nuthing like a kenwood TS44s i love my radio

[mobay1517]

@504caveman

Thanks for taking the time to look and commenting.

Yes. I too very much love my TS-440Sat. I've got it hooked up with a D-104 Silver Eagle and always can get thru pile ups. 109-121 watts out depending on the band. No dots of death or " button bounce" . I've never heard one on the air that did not sound good and also DISTINCTIVE, and I'm not just saying that because I have one. It's just a fact that they have a unique sound that when you hear another op using one you're amazed

thanks

[BAIPHOTO]

see his wife moved some bedding in to the shelves on the left

[DjDrewja]

@BAIPHOTO

How did you know????

thanks for taking the time to look at the video

[volvoman440]

Those older radios you have there are beautiful. I have an appreciation for the older radios. My first 2m rig was a Yaesu 225 RD, I bought it not knowing what I was doing. Ended up with a massive 2m multimode, it doesnt have any mod cons, but I love the thing.

I would recommend a big old rig to anyone that doesn't want to go pedestrian mobile.... 73 tony

[DjDrewja]

@volvoman440

Tony,

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

I simply L-O-O-O-V-E my older radios. Fully restored ( which was not at all hard to do) using kits from Ken Keminski at K4eaa.com.

I've always gotten good signa reports with them, and they are smooth and easy to use due to no menu's and large knobs. Wish I could afford to get back my FT-101E, TS-820, or afford a FT-102 or a Collins rig , but times are hard and I'm blessed with three great boatanchors.

Thanks again Tony

[shawnygz]

is it safe to say that behind the main radio is a rats-nest of wires

[DjDrewja]

@shawnygz

Shawn ..., thanks for taking the time to look at my video.

Oh Man you would not believe what a rats nest. Luckily no RF due to good grounding but ACK! what terrible looking wiring for KD8EZU

Take Care and thanks again

[TheUncleDougger]

Randy, what is that disgusting looking black POS on top of the REAL HF rig?

[mobay1517]

@TheUncleDougger

Which one?

[sparky42]

I only have a 1 car garage ,but I can see now that a 3 would be better.1 for the XYL's car , 1 bay for my truck and 1 for the fun stuff ! and keep all the lawn mowers and things in a seperate shed. nice equipment you have there.cool video , easy to watch .

[mobay1517]

Sparky,

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment. The radios were either gifts or bought for just a little money and were in very good condition. The FT-857D was perhaps the most expensive as it is my first and ONLY new radio. My station works very well with just 100 watts and using the G5RV and a home made 2 element wooden yagi for 10 meters. The older TS-830's are just phenomenal in how well they work. Great beginners rigs and about $400 on ebay they work better than some new rigs.

[kc9fsh]

When you built your Black Widow CW key did you do any finishing to it? I'm trying to see how other people have their keys finished before I start assembling mine.

[mobay1517]

No.

I would do any finishing ( pollish first then coat with clear fixative or clear gloss enamel BEFORE completion. Just remember to clean off the enamel used from the ball bearing holes and any contacts.., that's VERY important.. The instructions will show tell you. I still LOVE my Black Widow keyer!!

[KC0TLV]

thankfully my other half is also a ham, so there's no argument about ham gear in my house!

[mobay1517]

What a lucky man!!

Guess there's no problem getting help when the " antenna farm" needs planting also

Lucky, lucky , lucky

Thanks for the comments

Randy

[KC0TLV]

Mobay - See if you can get your wife interested in Ham - it worked for me :) Brought the other half along to field day, and acted as a driver while I operated radio for a public service event, and the other half was hooked and 3 months later had the Tech ticket :)

[bunker2k1]

wow you can tell who the man of the house is when 1000s of dollars of radio eqt is in the garrage, i told my wife its simple radio eqt goes in house dont like it get over it . well i said it nicer than that lol but i have a room just for my rdio station

[mobay1517]

I wear the pants in my family!!

Until the wife gets home. I actually like the privacy of the garage ( too cold in winter and too hot in summer for anyone to bother me!) plus it's near my workbench.

Thanks for commenting

Randy

[xaldin08x]

am wanting to start a radio station can you approximately tell me how much it will cost for all the equipment NEEDED to start

[mobay1517]

You will need usually a transciever that is not too old and can transmit on HF ( 1.8. - 29 Mhz) which are the most popular radio bands and have long distance communications possible . A TS-440S, a older Kenwood radio like a TS -830S will cost about $400- $500 USD. Get a G5RV antenna and tuner. try to contact a local Amateur Radio club or individual in your area. They will be able to help a lot and may load you a transciever to get you started in the Ham radio hobby. Best of Luck

Randy

[KC0TLV]

xaldin08x - this is not that kind of radio station - it's not a commercial broadcast station - if you are interested in Ham, first check out what Ham Radio is by going to the Amateur Radio Relay League's website and then you can check places like Ham Radio Outlet, AES or Burghardt amateur radio supply and spec out your own gear.

[seafury]

That just screams FUN. Kudos on the great equipment... but it always seems like there's always such an investment in the radios, but never for comfortable chairs. Yours looks like its got like an inch of padding, and that makes for a sore behind after a while :P Upgrade to leather! :D

[mobay1517]

Seafury,

I am indeed Laughing Out Loud. Yes! I really need a better chair. Most expensive radio I have is the FT-857D which I bought new. The others were either gifts or sub $400.00 boatanchors. With a little fixing ( just a little ) they work fabulously well. Thanks for your comment. It has has made my day!!

73

Randy

[mobay1517]

William,

Thank YOU for taking the time to reply. Just wanted people to know that even in a garage, an ham shack is a place of fun. I'm wondering if you're the William that does DXing and always has a strong signal? I hear him often on 20 meters. Anyway WIlliam all the best !

73

Randy

KD8EZU

West Virginia

[newtownards1]

hi,great video,also great radio equipment you have all you need,i enjoyed it very much thankyou for up loading it,best regards from william,73s n.ireland