My equipment at home
I initially used a Kenwood TS520 barefoot into a Hustler vertical, the 4BTV. After a year or so, when I started chasing DX, I realized this was not good enough, so I started modifying my set up, both in terms of equipment in the shack, and in terms of antennas. Over the years, I have used a Kenwood TS930, a Kenwood TS950S, a Yaesu FT1000MP and now a Yaesu FT2000, equipped with all filters. An ACOM 2000A is nicely sitting next to the operating position. My favourite mode has always been phone, but I am learnt to appreciate CW a lot. I started with the digital modes in April 2006 with various interfaces. I am presently using a USB Interface III from MicroHam to work RTTY and occasionnally PSK31. For antenna, I went from the vertical to a 2el 3bander cubical quad, which made me discover a new world ! Even though I could not put it up very high (the garden allows only for a self-supporting low tower, 35 ft or 11m high) I was very pleased with it, especially when my first amplifyer was introduced in the shack ! When I got interested in the WARC bands, I changed it for a 2el 5bander (from 20 to 10m), still rather low over the ground. I have used several wire antennas, from double-dipole to 4-band dipole, and monoband dipoles Today, I have a 80/40/30 dipole, which is in inverted vee position, but the apex is only about 8m above the ground : yes, I know, far too low, but come and see the garden, and you will understand I have no other choice ! The latest addition was a 5el 6m beam in 2008 when I got into the magic (tragic !) band. My first QSO with it was FJ5DX !! No amplifyer (yet) on 50 MHz...
FT2000 from Yaesu
On the occasion of my DXpedition to Saint Barthelemy island in 2008, I was offered to purchase the FT2000 at such a price that I could not miss the oportunity. Thank you Kan san (JA1BK) ! It is a great piece of equipment, probably not the top of the top, but good enough to hear what my antenna can bring down to it !
It is a great rig !
I am not a professional ham radio operator,
nor an engineer. Nevertheless, this transceiver is the best I have ever
used, budget permitting ! I like the front panel, easy to use and
manipulate,I like the audio quality, I like the filtering possibilities,
etc.
Which will be next? To be honest... I do not know yet. Maybe a SDR, maybe a more "traditional" radio. I just have not investidated the subject, probably because I know it will be a while before it happens. Technology is advancing so fast, one never knows what will be available in the next 2 months.
Logging program : DX4Win, of course !
There is no perfect logging program yet,
but DX4Win is really getting close ! As far as I am concerned, it does
everything I expect from a logging program, and does it simply,
efficiently ; it is easy to install, and you can transfer your log into
it very easily. Search your log with any filter you want, upload to LoTW
in seconds, get your DXCC statistics easily, etc.
Last but not least, the support team is fabulous !
My quad
The quad I currently use was made and sold by the Lightning Bolt company. This company disappeared some years ago, so they are no longer available. They used to make several models, including a 4el one which worked wonders. Well, next time I have to change the antenna, I will have to think about the best I should put up, because I never forget this : so good is the antenna, so good is the station ...
There is always a difference between your ideal best, and what you can do, but let's dream sometimes !
My dream(s)
I dream of monoband beam antennas, high up in the air, or of a monstruous multiband quad... I dream of 4-vertical arrays for 80 and 160... I dream of SDR as a receiving aid in the shack...
Computers
I currently use a HP Pavillion desktop computer (Windows 7) for logging, navigating on the web, and various other tasks. I also use a Compaq laptop for digital modes, and logging during DXpeditions (using Win-test program, which works great).