Home Shack

[MI0PYN]

So I'm one of these people who chops and changes a lot, trying something and then moving on to something different.

This wasn't helped by the fact that I was only able to operate from my dining table and had to tidy everything away again when done.

However, now that has changed. I have an office in the garden and have been able to set up a permanent radio station in there.
My shack at home currently consists of an Icom IC-7300 feeding into a Hyendfed 4 band end-fed halfwave antenna which gives me 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m. The antenna is mounted on an alloy pole on my chimney, with the far end run to a 10m fishing pole attached to the fence in the corner of my garden. Feedline is M&P Ultraflex 7.

This means I have 100W available on 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m, although I normally use less than that.
I use both a Kent KT1 straight key and a Kent Two combined paddle and key, although in the image below I actually have an eBay 3D printed key I've reviewed elsewhere on this site connected.

So, what does your shack look like?

 

[foggycoder]

Nice.

What are you using as a power supply (to convert from mains voltage)?

 

[MI0PYN]

Sorry, been away for a few days.

I'm currently using a 12V supply from eBay for driving LED light strips, capable of up to 40A. I've simply wired 3 Anderson Powerpole tails to it as it has 3 output terminals.
It was cheap (~£23) and works, although the cooling fan seems to sense current drawn to regulate it's speed, rather than actual unit temperature, which is a shame. It is a bit noisy, but it works until I can get a "proper" linear power supply.

 

[foggycoder]

Thank you for sharing your new shack with us. Very interesting.

The contrast between the top-of-the-range IC-7300 and the five quid paddle is very striking!

 

[MI0PYN]

I actually find that I don't hate the 3D printed paddle quite so much after playing with it for a while. For some reason the rig doesn't like the the Kent Two paddle, but that could be my problem for with wiring, so until I get the 3.5mm stereo socket flying leads I ordered, I'm using the imperfect but cheap paddles as well as the Kent KT1 straight key.

 

[foggycoder]

Since I did the mod to my cheap Chinese paddle, I'm completely happy with it. It's not the best, but it's perfectly usable now.

I have three double paddles - that plastic one, the aluminium Porta-Paddle 2, and the capacitive touch paddles on my Morserino - but, perversely, I normally use my 3D-printed single paddle. So all those double paddles don't get much use (except to keep my hand in occasionally).

Collecting keys seems to be one of the side activities of morse code operators...

 

[CT2GXW]

I live in an apartment, built in the early 70s, where usually there was a small compartment, without windows, to serve as a bedroom for the maid. I made my office in this space, which also serves as the radio shack.

The rig is a Kenwood 590SG that I recently acquired. It's the 1st transceiver I bought brand new, and hopefully will serve me for long years to come. Never connected the mic, it's still in the box, and probably will stay there.

Unfortunately, I have antenna restrictions, plus a lot of noise sources around, which give me less than ideal conditions. However, I come to the conclusion that I like to operate in this comfortable environment, and work the stations I can. I could do a lot better going out in the field, QRP or not, but it's not for my taste. I don't chase DX and I don't do contests. One CW QSO a night is very rewarding, sometimes I do 4 or 5, and it gives me a lot of joy.

 

[Kd5txx]

I'm running a KX2 as my main rig.  It sits on my work desk.  Usually if I hear them I can work them.