RADIO EQUIPMENT IN MY SHACK
YAESU FT-1000MP
What a great piece of equipment. This rig covers 160-10 meters. Mine is equipped with a 500 Hz CW filter in the Main receiver second IF, a 250 Hz CW filter in the main receiver third IF, and a 500 Hz CW filter in the Sub Receiver second IF. I have purchased a 250 Hz CW filter for the Main receiver third IF.
This is a incredibly versatile HF Transceiver. The Sub Receiver is a must for those who chase DX. With DSP being standard in the receiver and transmitter, this is a great rig. While these rigs are no longer being produced, they are still available at a reasonable price on the used market.
YAESU FT-920
Another nice radio from YAESU. It covers 160-6 meters. The 6 meter capability is a great asset to this rig. The receiver is quite sensitive, and the 100 watt transmitter on 6 meters is enough for all but the biggest guns on 6. It is also equipped with DSP. Using the second receiver, it is possible to instantly switch between 3 receive frequencies without changing bands. The DSP function is more versatile than that of the FT-1000MP, and a subjective assessment says that the noise blanker works better than the FT-1000MP, thus making it a great IF for VHF/UHF/Microwave enthusiasts. I have a 500 Hz CW filter in the IF of this rig. If you don't want to spend the bucks for a FT-1000MP, then this is a great choice.
HF Power Amplifier
This is an "oldie but goodie". The HF power amplifier is a resurrected Heathkit Warrior running 4, 811A's. I'm slightly exceeding the maximum recommended plate voltage with 2KV on the plates. It produces 700 watts output on 80-10 meters and makes me adequately competitive in the pile-ups.
ICOM IC-271
This 2 meter multi-mode transceiver has been around a long time, but is still a great rig. The VFO is unusually stable making it suitable for WSJT EME operating. The receiver does not have a low enough noise figure for EME and needs help in the form of an external pre-amplifier. Additionally, the receiver does not have adequate IF selectivity. To fix this, W5LUA came up with the idea of picking off the 10.5 mHz IF and routing it to a BNC connector on the rear apron. This allows the use of a receiver like that in the FT-920 as an IF with more than adequate selectivity. The 25 watt transmitter output is enough to drive a pair of 4CX250B's.
2 meter Power Amplifier
This is a pair of 4CX250B's in the familiar Plumbers Delight configuration. It only runs about 650 watts output, but still does a nice job off of the moon on JT-65, and is more than adequate on meteor scatter.