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Author Topic: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.  (Read 397 times)

N3CSA

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Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« on: January 28, 2023, 02:53:38 PM »

I'm looking to simplify and pare back the shack.  I have a full HF rig with all of the factory accessories that I really don't use any more, a shame because it's an outstanding radio.  My daily rig is a Yaesu FT-847 which gives me all bands and all modes.

I'm thinking of selling the HF rig and accessories and using the FT-847 as my main rig.  I have the MD-100 desk mic and will probably add the Yaesu SP-10 (with a better speaker, I have read that the factory speaker element is not good).  But I want an enclosure which matches the radio in size which the SP-10 does.  Also have an Alinco dual band mobile that I use for crossband duty.

Anyhow, looking for thoughts from those who have gone simple before me and what you found beneficial.  Thanks!
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W2XS

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2023, 04:13:09 PM »

Simple is good. It makes for a neat but functional station. But certain things are nice to have, IMHO.
1) I like to monitor RF Power Output and SWR as I operate. This way you can tell if things are operating OK.
2) I like to also monitor the DC Current and DC Voltage going into the rig. I use an Astron RS-35M (linear power supply, with meters).
3) The antenna must be disconnected from the rig when not in use. The ability to select one of several antennas is nice, too. Some people also disconnect the power and any interface cables.
4) Like you said, you need a good-sounding speaker. It does not need to be hi-fi, but you don't want thin sound with rattles or distortion.
5) Keep the cable from the power supply to the rig as short as possible to reduce voltage drop during transmit.
6) Make sure that there is no RF interference to the rig from the antenna. Pay attention to grounding and ferrites if there is. See K9YC information.
7) Always turn on the power supply first, then the rig (to avoid transients). Likewise, turn the rig off first, then the power supply.
8) Make sure that nothing in the shack or house is generating noise. I have a printer that raises the noise floor by 2 S units when it is on. I keep it unplugged when not in use. Use an AM radio and check each room in the house. I was surprised at the number of things that were noisy in my house. Some light fixtures here were real hash generators. Keep all those off when you're on the air. If you interface a computer to the radio, check that for noise also. A battery charger here for a Bose portable speaker is also very noisy and is off when not in use.

Enjoy your simple but effective set up. 73, John W2XS

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N3CSA

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2023, 04:29:39 PM »

All good thoughts, thank you!
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VE3WMB

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2023, 05:36:34 PM »

I have the MD-100 desk mic and will probably add the Yaesu SP-10 (with a better speaker, I have read that the factory speaker element is not good).  But I want an enclosure which matches the radio in size which the SP-10 does. 

I have an SP-10 that I use with my FT-991A and I will admit that out of the box the sound out of the SP-10 is not stellar. I loosely stuffed the speaker enclosure with synthetic pillow stuffing that I got on Amazon and that was a big improvement.  DX Engineering sells the Phonema PHITS (Y10A) foam upgrade kit for the SP-10. They do also make replacement speakers, but I am not sure if DX Engineering stocks the one for the SP-10. I don't have any direct experience with the Phonema PHITS retrofit kits but I can say that Phonema knows what they are doing as I do own a Phonema Miranda speaker that I use with my Kenwood TS-590SG and the sound is superb.

I do understand and appreciate your wanting a external speaker that is sized and styled to match the rig.

Cheers

Michael VE3WMB

P.S. If you check the SP-10 reviews here on eHam you will see some suggestions for replacement speakers that will fit and sound much better than the $2 speaker that Yaesu provides in the SP-10.   
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K6AER

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2023, 07:32:14 PM »

A bit more detail would help.

What is the radio you want to sell?

Are you using an amplifier and a antenna tuner?

What mode  are you using?

What is the operating conditions and your antenna system?

I notice you are a new ham, what is the reason to down size?
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N3CSA

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2023, 04:18:59 AM »

Not a new ham by any means.  I have an FT-102, the complete set.  Just don't get on HF hardly ever.  Too many other things consuming my time.  95% of the time these days, I'm on 2 meters.
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VE3TMT

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2023, 05:05:28 AM »

I was in your situation not long ago. I had a separate HF radio, VHF radio, dual power supplies etc. I wanted to slim down the station as well. I sold both radios and bought an 847. Almost immediately I realized I had made a mistake. The 847's performance on HF was nowhere near the radio it replaced, and sitting around on 6m or 2m waiting for an opening got very boring very quickly. Also being able to operate on HF and VHF at the same time is nice.

I sold the 847, bought a Flex 1500, 50w amp and 2m FM rig. I can run the 50w amp into my Yaesu FL-2100B for more power if needed, but usually isn't. I don't think I would ever go back to a single radio again.
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N2TO

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2023, 06:07:39 AM »

Good luck!


FYI

I bought the FT-847 in 1999 and the INRAD dual board CW and SSB filters. The CW is 250 Hz and SSB i 2.1 kHz. Small coax jumpers plug into the filter slots on the rig and the INRAD filters stick to the side of the chassis.


The filters were not cheap nor are they available any longer. But they make operating the rig on HF a completely different experience. I cascade the IF filters and DSP to good effect.


GL


73 Kevin N2TO
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KD7RDZI2

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2023, 06:29:07 AM »

In my opinion is not a good idea to have only one rig when you have more. Simply because faults happen unless you are confident you can repair it by yourself. Also to compare things and test everything is fine. So keeping it simple is good but not too simple. Redundancy is better unless you have already one only rig or unless you have a uBitx you can repair and mod as you like by yourself and use it as the main rig. ;D
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K0RS

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2023, 11:41:00 AM »

The FT-102 set up is space intensive for sure.

It's hard for someone else to know what will suit you as individual tastes vary so widely, but W2XS makes some good points.

Personally, I dislike having a microphone on the desk as it competes for space with keyboards, note pads, keys, even my coffee cup.  Wearing a headset/mic combo eliminates both desk mics and speakers, but not everyone is comfortable with a headset.  If you're walking around the room with the radio on 2m waiting for a signal to break the squelch then of course you will need a speaker.  A boom mount for a conventional mic is also a way get it off the desk.  Lots of "shack-in-a-box" radios out there now that are smaller and more modern than the 847 too.
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"90% of the people in a pile-up have no idea what's going on.  It's up to you to be in the remaining 10%."  *W9KNI*

N3CSA

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Re: Simplifying my shack, recommendations wanted.
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2023, 12:36:19 PM »

Thank you all for your insight and comments.  This is exactly why I started this thread, to get input.

My FT-847 does have the INRAD 702 filter installed.  I've considered upgrading it to something like the FT-991A but can't seem to find anything that really makes it a no brainer.

The FT-102 is surely a great listener; I can pretty much eliminate any type of noise using all of the adjustments available.  And the concentric Shift/Width control is awesome once you learn how to use it properly.  I see the FTDX-10 has that.  If that rig also had VHF I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Also good points about redundancy and monitoring 2 modes at the same time.

I'll continue to read the feedback and spend some more time in the shack before making any decisions.  Thanks all!



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