Shack Console

G

GM0WEZ

Super Member
Noticing that the operators desk at the old maritime coastal stations (and also air traffic control stations) had the transceivers in a console, I did the same thing to the ham shack. My woodwork skills are pathetic (to quote my professional colleague Dr McCoy: 'I'm a doctor, not a carpenter, Jim') but even I managed it.

Main station radio is an Elecraft K3, fortuitously purchased when a pound bought two US dollars. I added cheap ebay 12v digital clocks for 4 worldwide time zones. This has not been totally successful as over time they diverge a bit. Also a digital voltmeter for PSU voltage - a pound or two on ebay.

I home brewed a control for the auto atu atu at the base of my vertical antenna.

Although it looks okay and you cannot see the rats nest of cables, it is a complete pain if you want to change anything eg access the SWR meter for experiments.
 

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That's fab! I'm sure your colleague Dr McCoy would approve of the Star Trek look. And I like the juxtaposition of the high-tech "flight deck" with the old school clock and straight key.
 
I like the tidy desk it results in, and for a shack that doesn't get altered much I can see how it would be a good option.

I really like your clock though, is it an original one from a ship's radio room?
 
Actually, just saw your other thread. I really like those clocks, may have to see if I can find one for my office.
 
MI0PYN said:
Actually, just saw your other thread. I really like those clocks, may have to see if I can find one for my office.
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Some of the originals look a bit pricey, and because they are mechanical in design they could be a real pain if you buy one and it turned out to be faulty.

There are some I've been watching on eBay that are reproduction ones (they use a silent sweep unit, battery powered I would assume), and they look quite good...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-Room-Wall-Clock-Ships-Coastal-Operations-Radio-Room-Wall-Clock/264810344512?
 
It's worth keeping an eye on ebay for radio room clocks. Beware that some coming from Indian ship breaking yards are ordinary ships clocks with sectors added by a dial painter. These ones typically lack the 12 four-second markings.

Glashutte, Wempe, Chelsea, Smiths and Sewills all made them. The later Sewills were marketed to collectors rather than shipping companies. Sewills also make a 24 hour clock, the GMT Master.

There were only around 25 years between the regular use of quartz clocks and the phasing out of maritime CW, so there are a few original quartz ones around, but many are mechanical. That said, my mechanical 8-day movement Smiths Astral has been very reliable and you if necessary can get spares by buying an old Astral movement.

I bought the Smiths for about £70 after a fair bit of watching and waiting for one to come up. The winding key is a standard pattern and readily available so the lack of one is not an issue - apart from the fact the seller won't know if it works!

Vostok make a radio room watch if you fancy one on your wrist!

This one looks interesting - weighs 6lb!!!!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Glashutte-GUB-Ships-Radio-Room-Clock-East-German/203078955081?hash=item2f4872f049:g:Qy0AAOSwV1xfHcWB
 
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