Monday, February 20, 2023

The New Shack

The new shack is coming along.  A major milestone was reached -- heat in the new "shack" -- essentially the garage off the house.  My old shack was a separate building and I hated having to walk back and forth carrying coffee or in the dark or in the weather.

By moving the shack right off the connected garage (now that it is heated), I can still operate without disturbing the YL and be close enough to get a fresh cup of coffee and a snack while operating.

Plus the new shack will have a better layout and more room.  The old shack will be converted into storage.

It has me re-thinking my antennas too.   The "Sky Loop" will need to be fed differently (partial window line, partial coax, with a 9:1 Balun - not too excited about using a balun in the feed, but I was using one anyway with the Palstar (Kessler) AT-AUTO.   At least the balun in the feed will be a stouter and better design than the Palstar balun (according to sources).

Too many projects now --

Re-do the shop/shack.

Then work on a new portable antenna for the up-coming field day and other trips I plan to make.

I am trying to devise a new "Jumbo-Buddi-Pole" knock-off and see if it can be made from the surplus aluminum I can find here.

I like the overall design of the Buddi-Pole in terms of conversion for different bands.  I might copy the design a bit but make it taller and be able to offer easier hookup for tapping the coils.

When I go to Visalia, I'll be stopping by in Los Angeles first to see some family and check on a very dear friend who inspired me to go into ham radio.

But check-list marked -- the heater is installed and throwing out "50,000" BTU of heat into a space that will be a new electronics workshop and ham radio shack.   I am looking forward to that.


No QSO, no Donut

On the very last day the cafe was open, they sold the special donuts -- one had to pre-order them.  I got one of the last "Jam Filled&q...