FON'S

SHACK

WORLD

The Kenwood TS-530S has been the "flagship" HF transceiver at KA9FON since 1985 and has snagged a bit of DX  with 50W average output power to a G5RV Jr. antenna. The antenna is tuned with the Kenwood AT-230 tuner. The mike is a Kenwood MC-50. The keys are a Bencher and homebrew straight key for CW.  My newest  HF rig is the Kenwood TS-690S (shown below with the Astatic mike). It was a state-of-the-art in the 90s and still is! It is all mode, 160- 6 meters. It's excellent for SWLing in the AM mode.

The Alinco DR-135 (below)  for 2 meters is connected to a disconne antenna. The same antenna is shared by the Realistic PRO-35 VHF/UHF scanner. The Alinco is powered by an Astron RS-20M power supply. It is also "packet-ready" for packet and APRS operation

The HW-8 is a welcome addition for QRP CW operation. Even with a humble 1W output to the G5RV, DX contacts have been possible.

 

Tour of my radio shack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My G5RV Jr HF dipole is 52 ft long  and is center supported on the 24 foot mast below the disconne antenna. The 16 foot twin lead is separated from the metal structure by homebrew PVC plumbing pipe. I use the Kenwood AT120 tuner to adjust for SWR mismatch. Considering it's low profile, (18 foot @ center), I've had good QSOs into Europe on 40 and 20m CW. I also use the G5RV for SWLing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antennas