KB6NN - Howard's Amateur Radio Website

KB6NN
Name: Howard Lang
Call: KB6NN
QTH: Eureka, California
Grid: CN70ws

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The photo above shows my 2015 operating position. Note that it is quite similar to the photo on the home page, but the radios have moved around a bit and a computer now sits to the left of the operating position. That computer has nothing to do with ham radio. The laptop (now closed) under the swing lamp runs Linux, and is used for 100w-level HF operations. Radios and books are in the shelves in back of that, and a tool box is on the desk with the usual stuff in it.

The Vibroplex EK-1 Scotia Key, which was originally developed by Hamco here in Humboldt County, is no longer being made. It has a Curtis chip keyer built into the base (Mode A, for those that are interested). Rugged and dependable to this day. Vibroplex now makes the key without the chip. Nice key. Magnetic (pull-away) tensioning.

vibroplex ek1

Vibroplex Scotia EK-1

The photos below were taken in 2007:

The radio room is in the southwest corner of the house. In the photos below, note the poor antenna installation, complete with poor connections, drip loop, squirrel tickler and spark gap terminating insulator (the north fence). I do not recommend this installation, but it worked in a pinch, and the wire was nearly invisible (see squirrel tickler insulator photo below).

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qth shack

QTH - Shack

Poor Antenna Connection

drip loop

Drip Loop

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Squirrel Tickler Insulator

Spark Gap Insulator

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If I had panned to the right, you would have seen the neighbor's satellite dish, mounted on their side of the fence and pointing south toward the sky over my house. The dog barked at the dish when it first went up. Must have looked like a big round head. The neighbor eventually moved it off the fence to the side of their house. It was not inconspicuous. My ham radio wire antenna was completely invisible by comparison.

I eventually moved the far end of the wire to a point high on the garage, where it got a little better performance. Then I moved to a different house.

See you on the bands.

73,

Howard Lang, KB6NN

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QTH:
Eureka, California
Grid: CN70ws

Eureka is located in the middle of Humboldt County, California. Humboldt County is in Northern California, on the coast, about 80 miles south of the Oregon border.

Howard's Amateur Radio Memberships:

Humboldt Amateur Radio Club

Far West Repeater Association

Ten-Ten International (#25696)

American Radio Relay League