The WAØTTN Shack
I'm continually rearranging my shack and these represent the most current configuration. You might be interested in some historical photos of the shack to see how it's evolved over the years.
This is the current setup. From left to right, on the middle shelf:
  • An IC-2720 transceiver for VHF/UHF and with a TNC-X 1200 baud TNC for packet. I used to provide Winlink 2000 service on VHF at 1200 baud and UHF at 9600 baud, but I wasn't getting enough traffic to justify the maintenance. I'll probably get rid of this gear since the Yeasu does VHF/UHF quite nicely for the usual local repeater work.
  • An FT-847 for HF SSB and CW, and VHF/UHF FM.
  • A TS-440S/AT, primarily for PSK31, and as an alternate HF voice rig.
To the right of that:
  • MFJ-986 antenna tuner which doubles as a stand for my monitor.
  • A Gateway XP computer for running all the digital stuff. I love Ham Radio Deluxe, which is running on the screen at the moment. A little UPS supply is between the tuner and the computer.
On the top shelf:
  • Controller for the CDE Ham II antenna rotator with the Idom Press PIC controller kit installed.
  • Behind the controller is a very tidy MFJ window feedthrough panel for all the antenna cables.
Next to the keyboard on the desktop is a Kent dual paddle/straight key, which I really love. Note that the keyboard and mouse are both wireless. Hey, we're Hams. We don't need no stinkin' WIRES!
Here's another view showing the late night operating mode.

So where's the amplifier, you ask? Well, for the time being with the propagation so lousy with the solar cycle minumum, it just doesn't make much difference. Besides, it takes up a lot of room and the only time I use it is for phone operation, which is not very much of the time.

One of these days, when propagation starts to improve, and I find a good spot for it, I'll set it back up again. But for now, I'm perfectly happy without it.
This is my vintage Collins S-Line that I acquired in 2006. It's beautiful equipment, fun to operate, and still performs as well as any modern gear.

There's nothing like the warm glow of tubes and the real hands-on feel of the plate tuning and antenna loading controls. Talking about peaking your grid and dipping your plate these days will lead to blank stares from the newer hams. Man, those old Pi-network tank tuners can load up into just about any old hunk of wire.

If you're interested in seeing the refurb work I did on this gear, my photo albums are here.

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Go to the WAØTTN Web page.

Go to the Dave Cook Consulting Web page.