Shack News: Change is Good

It’s funny how a small problems turns into a big SNAFU. I have been without an active radio for about 2 weeks, until N6RO loaned me one his “backup” rigs, an FT-1000MP, the same radio I purchased from him in February. While I continue to have issues interfacing the interface and the PC with my Yaesu, I did have success with the loaner radio.

All this work on the radios, as well as some input from N6WM, Chris and an e-mail he sent to Jim, K9YC has me rethinking my shack. Currently it is in a spare bedroom on the second floor. Not the best place in order to ground a station. Jim had some great information on building interface cables that bypass the notorious “pin-1 problems” that many serial cables face. While I am not completely sure it is a grounding issue, something is causing my CAT port on my rig not to work.

As if I did not have enough work to do already, I have decided to move my shack out of the spare bedroom and into the garage. I spent the better part of Thursday cleaning out a spot where I will have my shack, as well as planning out how to power them. I think that will require an electrician.

While the size of the area I will be occupying in the garage will not be as large as the spare bedroom, it will allow to properly ground the station. I am looking forward to setting up the shack in the garage and cannot wait until it is done and I can operate. Not sure of my completion date, but hopefully next week I can get the electrical run and some faux wood paneling on the wall.