The is the shack of HL9JV in 1981-82

When I was in Korea in 1981-82, I was stationed at Camp Red Cloud, about 15 miles north of Seoul, just South of the Korean DMZ, which separates the two Koreas.

I was required to have the equipment secured when not in use. I decided that a a good way to do this, and be easy, would be to use a old army wall locker on its side on top of my desk. The locker had (4) 6x6 inch holes cut in with metal mesh placed on the inside. I also cut a (3) 3x12 inch holes on the back near the top of the desk to feed cables through. As you can see from the picture, I could open the locker door, and raise it up and hook it. This surface gave me a good place for needed information to use while operating.

HL9JV Shack

Equipment used:
FT101ZD
Dentron Clipperton L, 1 KW amp

For RTTY, I started off using a surplus Army TT4 Unit, but it was too loud with others sleeping in the same area.



I then piced up a Robot 800 RTTY / Robot 400 SSTV equipment

Antennas:
3 ele on 40m, 5 ele on 20m
6 ele on 15m, 6 ele on 10m

When I was applying for my Korean HL ham license, I needed my unit and Camp Commanders approval. I took the application to the HQ, and was referred to the Combined Forces Commanders office. He was a 3 Star General as I recall, so after talking to a CSM, was sent into the Generals office. He was knowledgeable about radio communications, and asked me what I was going to use for an antenna? I told him I was going to make a wire antenna, so after a brief conversation he signed the application, and off to Seoul I went to get my license. I was issued HL9JV.

When I returned, I went up onto the roof of my BEQ to see what I had to work with. I had my compass with me, and wanted to optimize my antennas for working the Eastern US. I ended up making multi element wire beam antennas for 40, 20, 15, and 10m. I was at the far north end of the camp, so this worked out well.

I was up on the roof working on the 3rd or 4th antenna one day, when I heard tires squealing from someone putting on the brakes hard. I looked down, and saw a Army Staff Car, with a red plaque on the front with 3 stars. The General climbed out, anf hollered up, "What the Hell is That?" I replied, Sir this is that wire antenna that I said I would be using. He shook his head, while saying something that I could not make out. (I am sure it was not complimentary,) and they drove off. I was called up to the CSM office the next week, and told since I had been given the approval for it, it was OK, but Do Not make it any larger.

This picture was taken just after I completed the 6 ele 15m antenna and was starting on the 5 ele 20m below it. These antennas were installed on top of a tall building with the mounting poles about 70 ft between them. I installed a pulley at the top of both poles and used a type rope that the Army uses on antennas so it would not stretch, and would last a few years. The "side" booms and ropes going up to the ends of the element wires are the same small, strong rope. The side booms were tied off to the tops of nearby buildings.


Click for a enhanced view

After this antenna was complete, I built a 3 ele 40m using the same method. and mounted it on the roof to the right of this one. These were all built to give close to 50 ohm for direct feed. They worked very well.....

When I PCSed from Korea to the States in early 1982. After I departed, my quarters were converted into Camp Red Cloud Army Mars Station.

Another funny little story about the Antennas. After I PCSed from Korea, I was at Ft Campbell Ky, then shortly afterwards Retired in Clarksville, just outside of Ft Campbell Ky. A year so after Retiring, I was talking to a GI that had just returned from Camp Red Cloud. His unit was just down from where my antennas were, and after talking about red cloud, the antennas came up. He said they all thought it was some secrete Military Intelligence monitoring station, since there was not any signs on the building. I think they put up the Army Mars sign around 1985, then due to the decrease in the cost of phone calls, and rise of the Internet, the Station was more or less mothballed around 91.

       Prevent Operating Out of Band       

Country Prefix's         Tools for the DXer

My Picture Page     My Future 40m Yagi

My Time in the Army     My Other Hobby

 My Needed Countries