This is what I consider my
primary operating position. Here I have easy access to the two computers and
the most modern gear.
Equipment in the left-most stack, from bottom to top:
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The small red unit on the bottom
is the Edirol Firewire Audio Capture unit, which works like a sound card but
with much higher quality. I actually listen to music from iTunes
on the PC through my audiophile-ish stereo and find it quite adequate.
The SDR IQ SDR (software defined receiver) I have uses this to
output its audio.
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On the first (lowest) shelf is an ICOM 756PRO, which is my most-used, "go to", rig.
I am well aware of its IMDR limitations. But that doesn't
usually bother me all that much. However, I'm sure it will become
progressively more of an issue as the
sunspots pick up, along with activity and signal levels. Until
there is another radio with all the convenience of the 756PRO and 100 db
IMDR, this will probably remain my "go to" rig.
I like its spectrum scope, tuning feel, controls, voice recorder, CW
messages, built-in CW keyer, and its general capabilities. Other
than its IMDR, there's not really anything about it that I don't like -
except maybe I'd like to have better computer control with zillions of
memories and better control over scanning.
Sometimes I also wish it had 200 watts output. But now I'm nitpicking.
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Above that is a
Collins 51S-1 RE.
This unit is in CCA Excellent condition. It looks and works
perfectly. For those who care, it does not perform as well as the
756PRO in any category. But I still love it. It is most
commonly set to 5550 Khz etc, where I listen to transatlantic air
traffic control. I also use it just to tune around and see what is
happening. I run across quite a few numbers stations this way.
For whatever reason, I prefer to use the 51S-1 when I'm tuning around
the non-ham frequencies. I suppose it's the feel and rate of the
tuning knob and its overall sound. The tubes are happier when I
use it a lot and it will make some strange noises if I don't use it for
a few weeks. I'm glad I got it. I'm planning to give it a careful
tune up sometime soon, just to see if I can tell any difference.
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Next up, on the third shelf, is another
Collins 51S-1
RE. This unit was in CCA Excellent condition until a spot on the case turned a bit off-color on the top
- right above V12, which is the audio output amp (a 6BF5). This
tube runs very hot in all three of the 51S-1s that I have, but this one
was way hotter than the rest. I need to open it up and see what is
going on. But in the meantime I run it on 107VAC and put a muffin fan on
it. It may be possible to clean up the discoloration and return it
to real CCA Excellent condition. Other than that, it works just
like the other one - which is to say, great!
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Next, going up, on the forth shelf is a brand new RACAL RA6790/GM
that was made a couple of years ago from brand new spares. Works
fine and I usually use it to monitor aviation frequencies or something
else of interest. I don't usually use it as a ham receiver and I
don't like just tuning around with it. This has to do with the
tuning rate and the look and feel of it. So when there is a
particular frequency I want to monitor, I'll key it in directly and
monitor away. The ISB is interesting too.
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Just above that is a RACAL RA6790,
which usually works fine but has just recently failed. So it goes
onto my fix it list. Before it quit, it worked fine and I
actually like its audio a bit better than the that of the other one.
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Up top is an Alpha 87A, which is my "go to" power amp. I use it
all the time and love the auto tune capability. This is a famous
amp, or course, that needs no real comment. The only problem I've
had with it is that the blower bearings have gone out. I have a
new one and just need to make time to replace it. In the meantime
it's quite noisy.
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There is a Collins 312B-3 speaker on top of the Alpha, which isn't currently being
used. Nowadays, I listen to everything through the 312B-3 located just above
the main computer screen. But its day will come again I'm sure.
It, and all the other 312B-3s that I have are in perfect condition.
Equipment in the center stack, from bottom to top:
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At the bottom is a 21" LCD computer screen for the primary
computer system. On that screen
when this photo was taken is PowerSDR, which is the user interface for the Flex 5000 Software Defined
Receiver. There are two other windows open, which are the UIs for an ICOM PCR2500 and a PCR100.
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Just below the LCD screen are a couple of little things. The little black box just to
the left of the keyboard is a HEAR IT DSP audio filter, which is
sold in this country by GAP Antenna products. It works pretty
well, but has a couple of quirks. If you leave it on with no
signal for several hours it oscillates. When it oscillates it
overheats and kills itself. Both units I have had burned
themselves up. Too bad because it is a nice filter. Under certain conditions, it makes a big difference.
One of my favorite uses for it is to get rid of the hum that is present
on the audio of virtually all the boatanchor receivers. This makes
listening to them as smooth as silk. The unit on the right end of
the keyboard is a Top Ten Devices antenna selector switch.
Just to the right of the keyboard, right behind the mouse, is a
Bencher key.
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Just above the LCD screen is a Collins 312B-3 speaker, which has been re-coned.
I like
these speakers because they are not too big, they look good, and
they sound pretty good. I've used many others and have settled on these.
It is in perfect condition. I drive it with a homebrew 32 input audio mixer which mixes the audio
from all the receivers in the shack. I no longer have to have as
many speakers as there are receivers or, alternatively, to worry about switching
a speaker to whichever receiver I happen to want to use. I can
listen to as many receivers as I want at the same time.
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To the immediate right of the 312B-3 speaker is a Collins 312B-5
Station Control, which is a remote VFO (actually a PTO) for the
KWM-2 and includes some other functions. This allows the KWM-2A just to
its right to operate "split" mode. It also includes a phone patch and
a wattmeter that measures either Forward or Reflected power up to 2kw.
This is a Winged Emblem unit, which isn't quite as sought after as the
Round Emblem units. These units are valued such that they
typically sell for as much as the KWM-2 itself! This is a nice unit and this one has
a wonderful feel with its weighted knob.
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Just above the speaker and 312B-5 is
an audio processing "strip" called a Pro Channel - made by ART
(Applied Research and Technology). It has a mic amp, Optical
compressor, and 3 band parametric Equalizer. I use it when I mess
around with various mics. The usual mic I use is a Heil boom set.
But sometimes I use the other desk mics you see scattered around the
shack and most of them sound better with a some audio processing.
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Above the Pro Channel is a Kenwood
SM-220 monitor. These are popular and they sell for relatively
high prices, but they are well worth it. It displays a trapezoidal image that
indicates how well the power amp is being operated. Using this, you
can easily make sure you are not overdriving either the mic gain, the
compressor, or the power amp. Very nice to have. Everyone
should have one. In fact, it should probably be a law!
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Just to the right of the SM-220 is a
Palstar AT-AUTO, automatic antenna tuner. This unit works
very well. There are some frequencies that it absolutely cannot
match with my G5RV, but I don't really blame the tuner. Normally it
matches very well. You may
have begun to suspect that I don't like to tune up, since I have an auto-tune
amp and an auto-tune tuner. I don't mind tuning up, but
sometimes there's no time to be lost in getting onto a DX station and
these two units make it fast and foolproof.
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Above the SM-220 is a Heathkit HW-101 transceiver. Interesting I
guess, but I'm not actually sure why I have it. I have no real
emotional connection with it.
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To the right of the HW-101 is
a Flex 5000 Software Defined Radio. This is a 100 watt
Software Defined transceiver that is the latest item from Flex Radio Systems. It
works very well. It has the best BDR (Blocking Dynamic Range) of
any receiver I have and the filters are the most nearly perfect.
The filters are also elegantly controllable and very flexible. The
IF filters are actually just DSP algorithms, so it is more or less
infinitely variable. The spectrum scope is very good -
better than the one on the 756PRO and is very useful. No doubt at
all that SDRs are the future. I have another SDR receiver - the
SDR IQ - which I really like.
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And last but not least, is the venerable Bird wattmeter on top of the HW-101.
Equipment in the right-most stack:
Will be discussed later.