The Shack: A Work in Progress

Shown are my awesome Yaesu FT-857D transceiver and a Diamond SX-1100 SWR meter. The antenna cable is connected via an MFJ-4601 FeedThru Window Panel. An MFJ-4125 switching power supply powers the radio. My rig is very simple because I'm only set up for VHF and UHF so far. Once I add an HF antenna (for long-distance "DX" contacts), an antenna tuner will be added to the equipment on the table.

To the left, on the window ledge, is my trusty Radio Shack PRO-651 handheld scanner. Posted on the bulletin board is my first  QSL card (!).

When I get around to finishing the shack, there will be a small bookshelf next to the table for my growing collection of amateur radio literature, and the bulletin board and various certificates will be on the wall.

A New Gadget

Yesterday, I paid a visit to Ham Radio Outlet (HRO) in Oakland, California. This was my first visit to a ham radio store; to see all those radios in person, instead of just in a catalog or magazine ad, was incredible. I was able to restrain myself and limited my purchase to the item that I said I was going to buy: an SWR meter. I bought a Diamond SX-1100 SWR & Power Meter, with a frequency range of 1.8 MHz-160 MHz and 430 MHz-1300 MHz. The impetus for this purchase is that I want to test the standing wave ratio of my new homebrew portable 2-meter antenna. I hope to post a report soon.