Thanks to QSL.NET for this little piece of cyber-space; Thanks Al ( K3TKJ )

My Shack

Hello, de KC5VTV, name is John. I am a computer programmer by trade, but I've been interested in electronics and radio for a long time. I was a licensed CB'er back in the day when they licensed such people. Reading about packet radio convinced me to go for my ham ticket (computers and radio and electronics, what could be better?). I got an *EXCELLENT* book called "The Beginner's Handbook of Amateur Radio" by Clay Laster (W5ZPV) , from the local library which taught me everything I needed to know. After just a few weeks, I went to a to a testing session and qualified for a Tech+ license plus a CSCE for general.
I've been trying to upgrade the code, but haven't managed yet. Guess that may not matter here soon. My general and advanced CSCE's have long since expired, so I'll be taking the general and then the extra here pretty soon.

For packet, I have 2 Baycom packet modems (BP-1 (from kit) and BP2-M). I use my HT and a home-brew dual band j-pole. It was constructed from an old CB base station antenna. I've decided to remain innocuous in the neighborhood and as a result, all of my antennas are in my attic. I have the j-pole, a discone for scanning and a store bought folded dipole for HF (not installed yet). I'm about %70 complete building a 3-element quad Yagi (Uda). Not sure if I'm going to get a rotator or just do somthing 'manually,' I've also built several other antennas of the portable variety.

Here are pictures of some of my equipment: ICOM 706, Kenwood TH-79A and YAESU FT-5200.

Here's my ICOM 706 Mk II. I use it at the QTH for the local repeaters (Dallas Amateur Radio Club shown) as well as listening on the HF and SW bands. I don't have an antenna up yet for transmitting on the HF bands. I plan on doing some DX work on sideband as well as CW. I have an awesome straight key from Bencher that I plan on putting to a lot of good use.

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This is my Kenwood TH79(A). Like many other hams, it was my first amateur transceiver. I use it now for packet radio at the house. I also take it with me when travelling to hit the local repeaters. I've started a setup to use it when bicycling. It's also the radio I take when driving the XYL's car along w/ a dualband mag-mount.

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This is a picture of my Yaesu FT-5200 (the face at least; the rest is in the car). This and a Comet B-20 w/ a Diamond mount make easy work of all the local repeaters when mobiling around north Texas. I am a member of PARK ; the Plano Amateur Radio Klub.

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