Transceiver
Nowadays I own a Kenwood TS-480HX, the 200W version and a Yaesu FT-857D. Both powered powered by a stack of SPA8230 23A switching power supplies. Those power supplies do not produce any QRM at all.
Both transceivers are hooked up to my pc through a CAT interface. A Behringer UCA222 external soundcard and Soundblaster Play3 handle the audio from the PC for digital modes.
Receiver
The TS-480 is a far better receiver than the FT-875D. But both cannot compete with my SDRPlay RSP1a SDR receiver. Synced to the VFO of my TS-480, the SDRPlay is most times my main receiver. The antenna input of the SDRPlay taps the RF from the main antenna through the TRS-460 switch by SV1AFN. I can also switch to my Wellgood active looo for the lower bands.
Audio
Although the TS-480 original MC-43 handmike has a splendid audio, I use a Devine DM20 dynamic microphone on a boom. I can also hook up my Behringer BB-560 bluetooth headset through my pc and do all audio wireless through the TS-480’s dataport VOX.
I use the speakers from a Sony home cinema set. Especially the center speaker does an excellent job in the specific audio range of the human voice.
Antennas
I am continuously experimenting with antennas, so this part of this page changes every now and then.
Diamond X30, RA0SMS Miniwhip, AWK 7 band Cobweb, 7m tall vertical with CG-3000 autotuner. Wellgood active receive loop.
The Five Band Square Halo
One of my 2020 projects was a limited space dual band halo antenna for 10m and 20m. After I added 12m, 15m and 17m, I named it the The Five Band Square Halo. The mechanical design is inspired by the Cobwebb antenna, but electrically by the famous halo antenna, which is commonly used on VHF as an omnidirectional antenna with horizontal polarization. The Square Halo stands about 12m from the ground. It covers 20m, 17m, 15, 12m and part of the 10m band.
I replaced the Square Halo with a 7 band Cobweb (see picture) built by AWK Antennas in Poland. It’s an all compromise antenne that does quite well in 20m, 17m and 15m. The performance on 12m, 10m and 6m is a bit disappointing. The tuned vertical mentioned below performs better on 12m and 10m.
7m tall vertical with autotuner
For the entire HF band I use a 7m tall vertical, fed through a CG-3000 remote automatic tuner. A bunch of random length wires and the 2m tall mast make up the counterpoise.
Miniwhip
As an auxiliary antenne for my QRM eliminator, I use a Miniwhip active antenna. It is mounted close to my neigbor’s solar panel installation to pick up maximum QRM for optimum performance. After sunset I use the Miniwhip for medium wave broadcast listening.
The Wellgood loop
This is a very affordable active loop, made by M1GEO in the UK, which I added in 2021. The Wellgood is a quiet receiving antenna which I use for listening from DC up to 21 MHz.
The Moxon
A full size Yagi would have a too big turning radius for my house. PG0DX Henry inspired me to build a Moxon. I used special PVC tubing, loudspeaker wire and other used materials to build my own version. It performs very good with excellent front/back ratios and up to 4 S-units more signal compared to a regular 1/4 wave vertical. Later I added 6m wire dipole to the Moxon and a 2m vertical dipole on top.
When solar activity provides propagation on 10m, I kick the Moxon in action. It’s mounted at almost 13m from the ground. Here is a picture made just after it was mounted on the roof. During years of low solar activity, the Moxon is decommissioned.
The Channelmaster antenna rotor in the picture performed flawlessly for over 20 years, but finally broke beyond repair.
MMANA antenna designs
I have gathered quite some antenna designs and made a few myself.
You can download them from my OneDrive.