Brief Description of the KB1H Station Layout….
The “upstairs” of the barn is the operating location of “The Barnstormers” Contest Group. Originally it was thought to configure the station for a good Multi/Single type effort in the CQWW contests and a Multi/two effort in the ARRL contests. Because our group grew large enough and with the additional factor of maximizing our score for the YCCC efforts, the station has grown into a good three operating position configuration. We have at times added a fourth station. In CQWW we now enter the Multi/Multi category realizing we have no chance of placing well against the likes of KC1XX, W3LPL, etc. What we accomplish is the maximum number of points for the YCCC, plenty of operating time for everyone, and a good training session for the ARRL contests where we have concentrated our effort in the Multi/Two class. If you have ever been part of a multi-transmitter operation you can appreciate the effort that goes into manning more than one or two stations simultaneously.
Station1 became the main operating station. Everyday operating and single operator efforts are run from this station. A small room was built to house Station #1 because in the winter it can get pretty cold in an unheated barn. A small electric heater gets the chill off nicely. The entire upstairs is heated by a woodstove.
Station2
and Station3 are almost
identical with Station 2 more or less permanently set
up.
Station4 serves duty as the VHF/UHF station. A Yaesu FT-847 is the rig and plenty of 6M QSOs and countries have been made from that chair. During CQWW we use this as the fourth station and pick up a few multipliers.
Network Control is used during contests to monitor and analyze our operating station data.
Lowband
switches, Highband
switches, and
Rotor/Stack Control allow connection
and control of the various antenna systems to the individual operating positions.
We hope that you've enjoyed the station tour and please visit frequently as
we update and improve our station.
73 Dick – KB1H
