NK7Z Equipment used

 Operating Position:

NK7Z Equipment used:

NK7Z Equipment used: Set up so my right hand can get to any location, radio, amp, keyer, mouse with minimum movement.  Mouse is moved out of the way when doing CW, and the keypad is used.  Headphones are on hanger on the left of the operating position.  See the blow by blow description of the shack rebuild for the K3 here.

Signal Flow:

As can be seen, most of the signal flow is normal, when you see “Control Voltages”, this could mean keying data, PTT data, relay control signals moved down coax, etc.  The audio feeding the computer is for digital modes.  You will also see control voltages, this is PTT for the 756 PRO III.

The Ham Shack:

Amp and tuner are on left, computer monitor for two computers is in center on left.  The monitor is a 23 inch, arm adjustable LCD.  Not visible behind operating desk is the ground bus.  A 1/4 inch, by 1/2 inch copper bar runs along the rear top of the desk, and along the vertical portion of the back.  All devices are grounded to this bus.  The ground bus is in turn grounded via two cables, to a single ground rod.

Elecraft KPA500

The finest Amp I have ever owned!  500 watts of power, capable of more as per the maker, but I never push it beyond the factory limits.  Runs on 220, or 110 volts, (I run it on 220), and connects directly to teh K4, and KAT500 tuner.  Wonderful integration between the three items.

Homebrew Cable entry panel

Homebrew cable entry panel constructed from old parts scrounged from various locations.  The only new items in this are the arrestors…

LoTW verified contacts:

Full List of Equipment

Transmitter/Receiver:

• Elecraft K4
• Icom IC-705 for RFI hunting
• Powerwerx SPS-30DM, 2 of them (Power Supply)
• Heil Pro Plus Headphones
• Icom ID-5100 (Home)

• Elecraft: KAT500

Antenna Control Equipment:

• Twin, Elecraft W2 Wattmeter

Amplifier:

• Elecraft: KPA500

Antenna:

• Hustler: 6BTV, ground mounted, 64 Radials, 32 feet each, with 12 and 17 meter add on kits.
• B&W BWD-90
• Discone
• GPS

CW:

• Vibroplex Iambic Deluxe paddles
• Internal Keyer in Elecraft K4.

Computers:

• Black Box, home brew eight core Pentium, 3 GHz.
  • 32 GB RAM
  • Linux, Ubuntu
• Dell single core 3 GHz.
  • 2 GB RAM
  • Windows 10, used only for Amateur radio.
• Raspberry Pi
  • In house DX Cluster/NTP Server #1
  • In house HamClock server
  • In home Controller for Genovation keypad to control K4.

• Rig Expert AA-650 Antenna Analyzer
• MFJ-856, Handheld RFI Locating antenna and receive
• Tektronix 4 channel storage scope
• Tektronix 2712 Spectrum Analyzer
• nanoVNA
• nanoSA