Kenwood TS-870

W4DFU HF Station 1

ICOM-551

For charts and specs of our HF antennas click here

Our main HF transceiver is a Kenwood TS-870.  It is interfaced with a Rigblaster for digital modes.  The rig has an electronic keyer, and a bencher paddle is available for CW. The rig autotunes most of our antennas.  Use antenna specs as a guide and select those with less than a 4:1 SWR.

Kenwood TS-870
Yaesu G-2800 Rotor
Rigblaster Pro
Henry 4K-2 Linear Amp
Click on gear for pdf manuals
 

While 6m is not truly HF, the magic band can be operated from the HF position using the ICOM-551.  An electronic keyer is present and a bencher paddle is available for CW.

Our HF Antenna panel contains connectors for Rigs and Antennas.  To use them you patch and match an antenna to a Rig using a short coax jumper.  On the left our YAGI is matched to the TS-870.  For 6m the IC551 must be paired to an antenna located at the VHF panel.

For 6m patch the IC551 to the connector to the VHF panel (above).  Then select the 6m Yagi (beam) and connect it at the VHF panel across the room at the VHF/UHF/SAT station (below).

For digital Rig Control use the "HRD" Ham Radio Deluxe software, icon located on desktop of the right side monitor.  This will allow you to control functions such as tuning.  Use the help function or see www.ham-radio.ch/guides/hrd/hrd.html for explanations of the software's features. We do not use their logging features, which are done in our station using DXLab.

For digital HF modes we use the "HRD" Ham Radio Deluxe software for PSK31.  MixW will be added soon for other digital modes and you are welcome to use other software as well.  A selection of CD-ROMs are available in the shack.

Logging currently is in a written format and transferred to computer by the QSL manager.  Sign your log entries with your name and home call.  Only use the club call for operating W4DFU.