Like many new hams my first radio was a hand-held (HT in the parlance) and these days that’s most often a Chinese made radio such as a Baofend. For me it was the Boafeng BF-F8HP PRO a 10W tri- band Ham (2, 1.25m, a and 70cm) radio, with GPS, 1,000 channels, supporting airband, NOAA, and FM receive, IP54, USB-C Charging, and Firmware Updatable. This is a super capable radio but I found the size of the screen and buttons just fiddly when I’m trying to learn and added frustration to the process that didn’t need to be there.

I went on to purchase an Icom IC-705 as a larger, more functional rig with a lot more to learn, but a lot easier (for me) to learn. I still use the Baofeng but the Icom certain got way more use, and I guess I got really hooked.

Shack

This is a little grandiose, my “shack” is actually a second-hand oak roll-top desk from Facebook Marketplace which is now living in the garage with antennas in the open attic above.

  left ground bus ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┊┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ right ground bus
                             ┌────────────────┐
       ┌─────────────────────┤   Main Power   ├───────────────────────┐
       │              ┌──────┤    Filtered    ├────────┐              │
       │              │      └────────┬───────┘        │              │
       │              │       ┊       │                │              │
  ┌────┴─────┐     ┌──┴──┐    ┊    ┌──┴──┐          ┌──┴──┐    ┌──────┴──────┐
  │ Computer │     │ PSU │    ┊    │ PSU │          │ PSU │    │ HT charging │
  └──────────┘     └──┬──┘    ┊    └──┬──┘          └──┬──┘    └─────────────┘
                      ├──USB  ┊       ├──USB           ├──USB
                ┌─────┴────┐  ┊  ┌────┴─────┐     ┌────┴─────┐
                │  GMRS &  │  ┊  │ Elecraft │     │  IC-705  │
                │ Scanner  │  ┊  │          │     │   sBitz  │
                └──────────┘  ┊  └──────────┘     └──────────┘

The main power input is handled by a WAudio W-5900 providing 8 filtered and 4 unfiltered outlets. Three of the filtered outlets are used for BTech RPS-30PRO 30 Amp power supplies. The computer, monitors, and the chargers for various HTs and accessories are not using filtered outlets.

I run everything off Anderson power pole connectors, so every RPS-30PRO feeds into a Chunzehui F-1005 9 Port 40A Power Distributor. Because so many small devices and tools use USB power these days I also have a StarTech 10-Port Industrial USB 5Gbps Hub at each power position with a short Anderson power cable.

There are two main ground busses, large copper & heavy duty, on either side of bench with the sides slightly assymmetrical and shown with the dashed line in the figure above. Each of the left bus is bonded to the right which is in turn bonded to the case of the WAudio W-5900.

Icom IC-705

My first grown up radio.

  • Icom IC-705 160m-70cm all-mode transceiver.
  • Icom IC-SP3 speaker from a ham fleamarket.
  • VE2DX Electronics IM1-HDMI V2 bluetooth CIV to HDMI meter display with 5.5” camera field monitor. The monitor has fantastic resolution, but more importantly has HDMI inputs and tripod mounts, and a detachable recharchable battery!
  • I Also have the VE2DX IM1-4BTPLUS V2 Icom stand-alone digital meter and TrueCIV interface for mobile use, and a CT17B-7DM V2 bluetooth and USB Icom interface 5-port TrueCIV data hub.
  • Icom AH-705 antenna tuner.
  • The Peovi® carry cage with optional back wrap, front cover, and nato rail. I specifically use the nato rail and a small tripod adapter so I can mount the camera monitor directly on top of the radio when mobile.
  • A Bencher BY-1 Iambic Paddle, although my CW is not yet ready for for the airwaves.

While I rarely use this radio mobile, I do have the Windcamp Touring Series Field Pack for it and use that to store a number of less-frequently used accessories (the AH-705 lives in it) and some mobile parts so that I could just grab the radio if I wanted. Another really useful add-on from Windcamp is the RC-1 quick remove antenna support, or the RC-2 antenna support. I also like their power cables, and have the power pole (with ferrites) and vehicle power.

Elecraft KX3

This has slowly become my favorite radio, I love how everything is so tactile, everything is right there usually with it’s own button or dial and operating is pretty intuitive. The display is simple, although on it’s own I do miss the panadapter of course. In the shack it’s really my 6m and 10m mainstay with the KXPA100 connected to both antennas.

  • Elecraft KX3 with the following installed options:
    • KXAT3 20w Internal antenna tuner,
    • KXBC3 NiMH battery-charger and real-time clock, and
    • KXFL3 roofing filter.
  • KXPD2 precision keyer paddle.
  • Mini microphone by G1JKS, from Etsy.
  • Vintage Heathkit HS-24 speaker.
  • QRPworks SideKar Decoder Edition for CW, PSK, and RTTY with a standard keyboard!
  • PX3 Panadapter
  • KXPA100 100w power amplifier with the optional KXAT100 internal antenna tuner installed.
  • W2 Remote sensing, auto-ranging RF power and SWR meter with DCV/U-200 sensor for 2m/70cm at 200W.

The KX3 is a wonderful radio for mobile use, scaling from the very simple with just the radio and AX1 or small EFHW antenna, to a the full shack experience with PX3, KXPA100 and a good power supply.

In the shack I keep the radio and panadapter mounted a little higher off the desk which I find more comfortable. To accomplish this I used a 5x5x2” block of polished granite andmounted a 1” ball connector as a solid base. Using the fantastic KX3 mount and PX3 mount from Side KX and some RAM arms I have a really nice, stable setup.

The Side KX gear is so well made that after finding the mounts I also got the end panels for the KX3 and PX3, as well as well as the covers for the KX3 and PX3.

When I’m mobile I have a core setup in a ES80 with the KX3 KXPD2, mic, and the following:

  • The very small AX1 20, 17, and 15 meter antenna with the AXE1 loading coil for the AX1 for 40m use.
  • The AXB1 small bipod mount when using the AX1 directly attached to the KX3, and the AXT1 adapter to mount AX1 on any camera trpod.
  • Ultra light tabletop tripod, with a separate ball head just in case.
  • 6Ah LifePO4 battery with spade to power pole cable.
  • Power pole Y-cable for KX3 and PX3.
  • Power pole inline power meter.
  • Power pole 1:2 splitter with USB A and C out.
  • EFHW
  • 75’ throw line.
  • Nifty guide.

If I am going to have the space, time, and power, I may also take another ES80 for the KXPA100 and cables as well as a (smaller) ES60 case for the PX3 and it’s cables.

HF Signals sBitz

Recently added the HF Signals sBitx v3, a 25W HF hybrid SDR based on a Raspberry Pi, with 7” touch screen. As it’s HF only my current patch rack really only has the option of the 10m bazooka, so I tend to switch the KXPA100’s second antenna to the dummy load and then the sBitx to the 10m antenna.

Radioddity GMRS & Scanner

As we use GMRS for family activities and for emergency preparedness the shack has a permanent GMRS base consisting of a Radioddity DB20-G 20W radio and 17” 2.5dBi gain base antenna.

It’s nice to have a completely separate scanner while looking for activity on the local 2m/70cm bands, and so a dedicated Radioddity DB50 with a simple but effective discone works very well.

Fixed Antennas

  • GMRS 400-470mhz fiberglass antenna with ground plane, base antenna. This is a 17” 100W vertical with 2.5dBi gain. Amazon
  • Gabil GRA-D220 50W wideband, 100 to 1600 MHz, discone antenna. This will transmit in the 144, 430, 904, 1200 MHz bands with a gain of 2.15dBi and stated VSWR of less than 1.5:1.
  • Roll-Up J-Pole for 2m/70cm by WACOMhamradio.
  • Arrow Antenna 2m/70cm Open Stub J-Pole, 1000W mounted horizontally for digital modes.
  • Home-made 6M wire dipole, made with DX Commander DX10 antenna wire, with an average 1.2-1.5:1 SWR.
  • RadioWavz 10M Bazooka built for 1500w SSB/PEP 200W CW!

Each antenna is mounted in the garage attic and it’s cable is fed to a fixed SO-239 mount attached to a horizontal beam. These consist of two 8” 90° angle brackets in 3/8” stainless steel with four SO-239 pass-thru connectors. These allow working in the attic space without having to have cables dangling to the floor. I use Messi and Paoloni UltraFlex 10 for antenna to connector,r for some of the lighter antenna the Messi and Paoloni Airborne 5. I use the UltraFlex 10 exclusively for connector to patch rack and a mix of the UltraFlex 10 and Airborne 5 for rack to rig and rack to meter runs.

   antennas ─┐ ┌─ antennas
             ┴ ┴
         connectors
             ┬ ┬
             ╱ ╱
   meters    │ │
    ┬ ┬   ┌──┴─┴──┐
    │ └───┤ Patch ├┈┈┈ left ground bus
    └─────┤  Rack │
          └──┬─┬──┘
             │ └───┤ Transceivers
             └─────┤   Scanners

A 6U 10” wall mounted rack with (currently) two 1u inserts each with seven D-series connector blanks. I add good quality 50Ω D-series BNC connectors to these so there is one row for the fixed antenna above, and one row for the shack radios. Radios and antennas are matched with 30cm RG58 BNC cables. For example, the IC-705 is often switched between the two 2m/70cm antenna as one is used for voice (the vertical) and one for data (the horizontal).

# Radio # Antenna # Meter
1 GMRS 1 GMRS 1  
2 Scanner 2 Scanner 2  
3 IC-705 3 20/70 (v) 3 Blank
4 Bench 4 20/70 (h) 4 DG-503 HF in
5 KXPA #1 5 6m 5 DG-503 HF out
6 KXPA #2 6 10m 6 DG-503 VHF in
7 sBitz 7 100W Dummy 7 DG-503 VHF out

Port 4 on the radio row connects to a BNC connector fixed to the shack bench so
that any mobile or HT can be connected on the bench to any of the antenna for testing.

Computer

Hardware, TBD

Software

Categpry Name Mac iPad Phone Comments
Logging RUMlogNG Y Y Y Primary logging
  HAMRS Pro Y Y Y  
  World Radio League Y Y Y  
  QSO Upload Utility Y N N  
  tsql Y N N  
Operating SDR-Control Y Y N IC-705 remote control
  KX3UI Y N N KX3 remote control
  WSPR Watch Y Y Y  
  MacDoppler Y N N  
  DX Toolbox Y N N  
  Ham Pulse Y Y Y  
  wfview Y N N  
  xCluster Y N N  
  CW Keyer Y N N  
  iDigi Y Y Y  
  QTH Y Y N  
  QRV Y Y Y  
  Call Search (QRZ) N Y Y  
  QTH Locator N Y Y  
  Repeaterbook N Y Y  
  Rotor Y N N  
  Multimode Cocoa Y N N  
  iFTx N N Y  
Radio Tools Elecraft KX3 Utility Y N N  
  K3MemoryManager Y N N  
  SignalScope X Y N N  
  CHIRP Y N N  
  RT Systems Programmer Y N N For IC-705, KX3, BF8
  Ola Radio N N Y  
Antenna Tools VNAmate Y N N  
  RF MatchMaker Y N N  
  MININEC Pro Y N N  
  SimNEC Y N N  
  RF Toolbox Y N N  
  Ham Toolbox Y N N  
  Rig Expert AntScope N N Y  
  OdMaster N N Y  

Mobile

Really useful things:

  • Windcamp AP-4 4-port power-pole distribution in a neat flat format, I think I have one in every radio bag.

Car

My car, also known as the Family Adventure Wagon (JFAW) is also ham enabled with a permanent 2m/70cm mobile, and 7 roof mounted antenna brackets (two SO-239 and two 3/8×24 with quick releases). Most of the smaller roof mounted antenna fit into a 2” diameter PVC tube with one glued and one threaded end that is strapped to the cargo basked when needed.

  • Icom IC-2730B VHF/UHF mobile with the body under the driver’s seat and the head mounted on dash. Power to the radio runs through a Powerwerx 20 Amp DC Line Noise Filter. The antenna is a Diamond Antenna NR770HB mounted on one of my ditch light brackets.
  • Yaesu VX-6 an incredibly rugged handheld to keep close for hiking or emergencies it’s even submersible! Paired with the TWAYRDIO RH770 antenna for fair-weather use gives some additional gain.
  • BTECH GMRS-V2 5W with FM radio and NOAA weather. This one lives in the car full time with an ABBREE 42.5-inch “tactical” folding antenna with a reported 5.0dbi gain.
  • Gabil GRA-CFS20 20m carbon fiber mobile antenna; only added when operating.
  • Comet UHV-4 multi-band (80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m, 70cm) mobile antenna with fold-over design and adjustable coils; only added when operating.
  • Shark 6M mono band vertical (44”), aka ham stick; only added when operating.
  • Shark 10M mono band vertical (44”), aka ham stick; only added when operating.

Other Handhelds

  • Boafeng BF-F8HP PRO; see above.
  • Boafeng UV-5R Mini 5W dual band ham radio.
  • Explorer QRZ-1 5W dual band ham radio.
  • Cobra Trailblazer 450 IP54 weather resistant 2.5W GMRS with NOA weather channels and weather alerts. We have 4 of these for emergency use, with ABREE AR-771C 15.3inch flexible whip antennas (2.15dBi gain). All four, and antennas, along with one roll-up J-pole antenna are kept in a Nanuk orange hard case.

Lab599 TX-500

  • Discovery TX-500 160-6m all mode and incredibly rugged transceiver.
  • BP-550 battery box for 3 or 6 18650 rechargable batteries.
  • Tufteln protective cover.
  • Explorer POTA20 20ft telescopic carbon fiber mast, with guy system from Etsy.
  • Choke
  • 75’ throw line
  • Chameleon throw bag
  • LiFePo4 battery
  • Power pole inline battery monitor
  • 50’ RG316
  • 25’ RG8
  • Antenna
  • Digirig and cables
  • IEM

Radio Box

A project, more later.

  • zBitx HF/6m
  • GMRS
  • 2m/70cm

Mobile Repeater Box

A project, mainly for fun and to do something with these two UV-5RM radios I bought on sale ($60 for the pair!).

  • 2 Boafeng UV-5RM Plus 10W dual band ham radio $60.
  • Surecom SR-629 2-in-1 duplex cross band radio repeater controller $42.
  • NOBIS 20000mAh/90W laptop portable power bank $49.
  • 2 HYS 2m/70cm gooseneck 11.8in antenna 2×$15.
  • Apache 1800 weatherproof protective case $15.

To complete the repeater I used two BNC female/female bulkhead connectors ($11 for four) to mount the antenna, and two 4” SMA to BNC cables (from spares bag) to connect the radios to the bulkhead connectors. A Penglin USB C bulkhead thru port with waterproof screw cap ($20 for two) allows me to charge the power bank without opening the case, and then a set of as short as possible USB cables (from spares bag) to connect the power bank to the external port, the Surecom controller, and both radios. The radios have their ports on the back which is a pain and so cable with 90 degreeb USB C connectors ($9) are very useful.

I make the total around $236, with the only actual “work” being drilling three holes in the case, applying some silicone around the ports just in case and then setting up the radios and the controller.

Field Antennas

  • Buddipole™ Deluxe Package, an awesome all-in-one tripod, mast, and dipole for 7 to 54MHz continuous, and 144 to 148MHz.
  • Arrow Antennas 52-1BP Arrow II Dipole with the 222 MHz 6 element set to make this a 6m dipole. Alternatively I use the 146 MHz 4 element set, 440 MHz 10 element set, and the 10W duplexer for a really nice mobile VHF/UHF setup that can also be used for satellites!

Masts

  • Intellitron AM-2306K 34ft Telescopic Fiberglass Mast with Quick-Release Clamps.
    • with Intellitron AM-812FX Fiberglass Guy Ring Set.
  • Chameleon CHA CFM 34 ft telescopic carbon fiber mast with steel base and 3/8×24 stud.
  • Explorer POTA33B 33ft telescopic carbon fiber mast.

Cables

  • 50 ft Messi and Paoloni PotaFlex 7 high-visibility coax cable, with carry bag and reel.
  • 100 ft Chameleon CHA COAX with integrated RFI Choke.
  • 25 ft Chameleon [CHA RG-316(https://chameleonantenna.com/products/cha-rg-316?variant=46594486927606) with integrated RFI Choke.

MeshCore

  • Everyday carry node, SenseCAP TR1000-E.
  • Travel carry node, Heltec MeshPocket.
  • Home repeater, SenseCAP Solar Node Pro.
  • Camping/mobile repeater, Heltec V4.