KT4OR's Shack
Amateur Radio Rules!
'Know Codes' Hear What You've Been Missing
Hello and welcome to my world. My name is Richard and I am KT4OR. I got into amateur radio as Tech-Plus KF4HLW in March 1996 and recieved my Extra that December. Amateur radio isn't just another hobby, it's an obsession. I am active on 2 through 160 meters using SSB & CW. I'm not a net or repeater junkie but I have nothing against those who are. I enjoy ragchewing, DXing, paper chasing (awards), contesting, building antennas, kit building, QSLing, and the occassional satellite contact. My favorite bands for SSB are 6, 10, and 15 meters. I only work 40 and 75 meter SSB during contests or if another op asks to work me there. Although I am a paper chaser, most of the time I'll be found ragchewing somewhere. I enjoy playing in contests as they are a golden opportunity for a paperchaser. So far I have acheived a DXCC, WAS, WAC, and the 1000 Mile Per Watt award. I have worked New Zealand using 2 watts which equates to about 4,000 miles per watt.
I built my first kit radio (a NorCal 40A) and was amazed how easy it was. I had so much fun building that one as well as operating QRP that I wanted more. The more I desired became the Wilderness Sierra CW QRP kit. It is also a fun little kit to build and uses band modules that plug in that you also have to build and gives it multiband capabilities. I also built the KC2 add on for the Sierra which has an LCD frequency counter, S meter, watt meter, and an electronic keyer. Want to learn more about what makes a radio work try building your own. Most of them aren't very hard and it's really a blast to tell the person your chatting with that you built it. Telling that can also turn a would be Name, RST, QTH, NEXT contact into a good ragchew. So if you get into one of those need to do something different moods, try kit building. I also had the pleasure of getting a Kent Dual Paddle kit at the hamfest in Shelby, N.C. which is an outstanding key. Haven't touched the Benchers since I got it. Excluding a few antenna projects I have planned, the next project I am planning on building is the Elecraft K-2 10-160 meter QRP CW/SSB transciever. I would have already started it but my niece and nephew need a computer more than I need another rig so I built that instead. Time to start saving again.
There are so many aspects to amateur radio, you could not really do them all and do them well. How many other hobbies can truly say that? There is only one thing that bonds us all together and that is radio. You can get into digital communications, working satellites, emergency communications, kit building, antenna building, DXing, handling traffic, IOTA chasing, elmering, become a Volunteer Examiner, QRP (low power), EME (moon bounce), paper chasing, and well you get the idea. These just scratch the surface as there are many subgroups beyond what I mentioned.
Considerate U.S. amateurs should always follow the Band Plans. I have a couple of pages devoted to CW & Antennas. I just started working on a QRP page. I am planning on adding a page where I let off some steam. I'll let you know what's in my shack, the QRP Calling Frequencies, the FISTS Calling Frequencies , and what amateur organizations I belong to.
If you are looking for something amateur related be sure to check out K1DWU's links page. He has it all covered and keeps his links updated. Due to a change in jobs about a year ago I no longer have the time needed to do this myself.
QRP Calling Frequencies
160m 1.810 MHz
80m 3.560 MHz
80m 3.710 MHz (Novice)
40m 7.040 MHz
40m 7.108 MHz (Novice)
30m 10.106 MHz
20m 14.060 MHz
17m 18.096 MHz
15m 21.060 MHz
15m 21.110 MHz (Novice)
12m 24.906 MHz
10m 28.060 MHz
10m 28.110 MHz (Novice)
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FISTS Calling Frequencies
80m 3.558 MHz
40m 7.058 MHz
20m 14.058 MHz
15m 21.058 MHz
15m 21.108 MHz
10m 28.058 MHz
10m 28.108 MHz
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What's In My Shack
Rigs:
Kits:
Wilderness NorCal 40A 40 Meter QRP CW (Kit)
Wilderness Sierra QRP CW (Kit) 10-80 Meters via Modules
Commercially Built:
Kenwood TS450SAT
Icom IC-2000H
Radio Shack HTX-202
Keys & Keyers:
Vibroplex Bug
Nye Viking Straight Key
Kent Dual Paddle (Kit)
MFJ Memory Keyer
Misc:
LDG QRP Auto-tuner (Kit)
MFJ-949E Transmatch
MFJ 748-B DSP Filter
Daiwa CN-101L Watt Meter
Mobile Setup:
Icom IC-706 MKII
Bencher RJ-1 Straight Key
Bencher BY-1 Paddles
High Sierra Screwdriver Antenna
Antennas:
Commercially Built Antennas:
Antron 99 vert. at 40'
Cushcraft A3S tribander at 28'
Diamond F22A at 34'
Homebrew Antennas:
G5RV at 35'
In the process of moving so I'm down to the minimum.
Other Homebrew Antennas With Nowhere To Go:
2 meter Quadrifiliar Helix (Satellites)
4 el 2 meter Yagi
4 el 6 meter Yagi
10 meter turnstile (satellites)
30 meter dipole
40 meter "Cage" dipole (8 14ga. wires, 18" spread)
80 meter "Cage" dipole (8 14ga. wires, 13" spread)
160 meter dipole
6 el 2 meter Quad
2 meter Vertical Phased Array
2 meter Hentenna
6 meter Hentenna
40 meter "Fat" dipole (2 14ga. wires, 18" spread)
80 meter "Fat" dipole (2 14ga. wires, 36" spread)
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Organizations I Belong To
10-X # 68271
FISTS # 2691
ARRL
ARES
RACES
J.C.A.R.A.
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Send comments or any questions to [email protected]
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72 es BCNU de KT4OR/QRP SK
Updated October 15, 2001