Amateur Radio station N8UX was designed primarily for HF CW and RTTY DX and contest operating, and keeping in touch with our friends all over the world.

There are two HF operating positions. #1 uses an Icom IC-765, which is interfaced to a computer running XP. During a contest, the computer is used to log all contacts, as well as key the transmitter. The interfacing also allows for DX Packetcluster monitoring, as well as SSTV, RTTY, PSK31, and other modes through the use of DSP sound card software.











Operating position #2 uses an Icom IC-746, interfaced to a computer running XP and Linux. The amplifier used is a Heathkit SB-200, which provides up to approx. 650 watts, when needed. A Dentron MT-3000a tuner is also used. This position is used mostly for CW operating, but is fully capable of operating SSTV, PSK31, and RTTY also.
The radio to the left of the 746 is a Kenwood TS-790a satellite rig, used to operate all modes on 2m and 70cm. Both radios are interfaced to the same computer, allowing simultaneous frequency control for modes. Satellite mode S (2.4 Ghz) is via the 2m receiver on the 746, converted thru a Transystem 3733 downconverter mounted on a 7' dish.

Transmit and receive audio from all radios is mixed down and controlled by a Behringer MX-802A Eurorack 8 channel mixer. This allows audio to be sent from any microphone or computer sound board to any of the radios in the shack. The mixer also provides 3 bands of equalization. Audio output from both operating positions is fed through Autek Research QF1-A audio filters. These are great analog active filters. They are very versatile, with a wide range of adjustments. They especially work well with peaking cw signals. Unfortunately they no longer manufactered, but can be found on the used market, and at a reasonable price. Instruction manuals are still available from Autek Research.

There is a third computer in the radio room, another 2 ghz pentium/XP, that is used for email, work, and other more mundane chores. All three computers are networked via ethernet, and thus have the capability of sharing all packet data coming in from operating station #1, as well as monitoring the frequencies of all radios.

General logging software is Win-EQF. For contest logging, I use N1MM Logger exclusively.

I recommend using VE7CC's AR-User program for dx cluster monitoring.

Antennas consist of a pair of homebrew phased 1/4 wave verticals for 80/40m, homebrew 1/4 wave vertical for 30m, along with an inverted V for 20m, and a 3 element yagi for 15m. Either of the 40m verticals can be used for 15m, and they work very well. A six element yagi is used on 2m ssb and cw. Plans include a WARC beam by March 2006.

The N8UX Web is © copyright 1996-2006 Rich Dailey, N8UX. All rights reserved.
Void where prohibited. Keep hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times.