Setting up a minimalistic urban station

Three years ago, I took down my SteppIR and said goodbye to playing radios from Sydney.

The noise was simply unbearable, especially on low bands. However, what broke the camels back was not the RF interference, but the interference from both neighbours who after many years of not paying attention to my antenna tower and 3 element beam all of a sudden became aggressive towards my hobby, threatening ‘council action’ and nasty litigation.

I had enough of them, and took the tower down.

Last week I decided to get back on air. As much as I love remote operation from the quietest RF place in the Pacific, I do miss my old city shack. So many good memories, so many rare ones, logged despite the low power and city noise.

And above all, I miss the unboxing of a new radio, learning about new features, networking, installing various software, trying different things. All of the stuff I don’t have time for on Norfolk, were every moment is precious and were the ultimate goal is to be on air, day and night and log as many deserving as possible.

Minimalist concept

The plan is simple: one 100W radio at a time, no amplifier, and a simple antenna which would only cover one band.

Invisible to neighbours. Yes, chasing new ones is part of the deal, but the priority will be given to different modes rather than FT8. Also, to keep the investment in gear to the absolutely necessary minimum.

In a way: to setup a typical urban station, while taking it easy.

Antenna

As stealth as possible, but vertical polarization. A telescopic fiberglass pole (half of the element of SteppIR) supported on a mast made of tubing donated from a scrapped hang-glider. Amazingly robust, double walled aluminium yet much lighter than standard Al tubing. (Aluminium alloys 6061-T6 and 7075-T6 (zicral) alloy types) The whole construction was put together in about two hours. That does not include two trips to Bunnings. Unfortunately due to stormy weather, the antenna is yet to be erected. Total cost: $85 mainly for stainless bolts and hose clamps.

Radio

SunSDR DX2. Quite frankly, I can’t wait to get into it! SDR offers so much more than any old analogue box – especially to thinkers and nerds. This is how it works: let’s learn how to do (insert here whatever). Refer to manual, read, try. Read again. Open a can of your favourite beverage. Watch a YouTube video. And then – the a ha! moment. It works!!!

Make no mistake: SunSDR is not a toy; it is a serious radio in a minimalistic package that will keep one busy for months.

Goal

As stated before, the goal is to learn, have fun and make contacts. To work 100 DXCC running low power, while fighting the noise, right under the noses of nosy neighbours.

While waiting for the weather to improve, I’ll get straight into it: configuring the router, learning more about networking and setting up the 12V battery power source which would ensure noise-free supply to radio. The prices of high capacity LiFePO4 batteries are coming down by the day!

Actually, for the first time, building and configuring the shack ‘properly’ – from chair, to operating table, cabling, to installing a new PC and new monitors.

What the heck – the fridge comes in too.

[to be continued]