K0YDS: Ham Radio
Ham Radio for me has provided learning opportunities for the technical side of radio and electronics. Putting a station together, especially in the early days, required knowledge of antennas, feedlines, switching, transmitters, receivers, and maintaining it all. The F2 links provide the highest frequency for NVIS operation (used with emergency communication).
I became a Novice ham in late 1959 (8th grade), after being inspired by George Botsford, K0UWK, of Ainsworth, Nebraska. My first station used a Heathkit DX-20 and a Hallicrafters S-38, seen in the photo below. After awhile I moved the station upstairs and exchanged the Hallicrafters for a Hammarlund HQ-129x, added a Heathkit VF-1 VFO and built a 25w plate modulator for AM. Again, see the photo below. I was active on 80 meter CW, 75 meter AM, ragchewing after school and handling traffic in the national traffic system. I was net control for the NEB CW traffic net for several years, and occasionally went to TEN, the tenth region net.
In graduate school I became active on 2 meter FM in Southern California with the call WB6NXE, and participated in some public service events with the Baldwin Park AREC/RACES group. My gear was the Hammarlund FM-50 rockbound business band radio modified for multi-channel with a rock oven. I also built a Heathkit HW-12 SSB transceiver for 75 meters.
I started to get active again in 2005 and now have a Yaesu FT897D, Kenwood TH-D7A(G), and Baofeng UV5R. I listen a lot to 75 meter SSB, 40 meter CW and 2 meter/70cm FM repeaters in the Denver metro area. I am again active in ARES, Region 10 District 4, Denver City and County.
I have a Diamond SG-7500 with a large magnet mount for when I'm mobile on 2m-70cm.
My current base station antennas include a 7-element 2m beam aimed at Denver, a Diamond X-50 2m-70cm gain omni-directional, and a random wire of about 60' fed with a 5:1 un-un up about 10' for NVIS work. For this latter on HF, I use a YT-100 automatic antenna tuner.
The original S-38 is long gone, given away to some friend along the way. But I still have the "manual." Here are the pages as large JPG images: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Service Bulletin: 1 2 2h 3 4
Several years ago, I came into a Drake SPR4 with documentation, which I've scanned. There are documents online that are in better shape, but you are welcome to use these freely. Brochure; Manual; Parts; Crystals
Current Rig, FT897D, with old bug and new paddle
Photo of me operating portable at Templed Hills Camp, Colorado, QSO w/KD8LN
Second station, high school: DX-20 plate modulated, Heath VFO, HQ129x, old railroad bug weighted to 20wpm
First station, Junior High: DX20, S-38
Antenna in Ainsworth in 1960+: 80-75m inverted v dipole
Current Antennas: 2m beam, Diamond X-50, Random wire with 5:1 balun