My "final" Ultimate BA Station

Just recently I was able to obtain what I had always figured would be unobtainable, for me at least. That is a Collins KWS-1 SSB/AM/CW transmitter. As such, it has caused me to revise my station into what I now consider will be my "Final" version of my Ultimate BA station, which is one modest room containing several completely functioning operating positions of equipment that was representative of the best the ham radio enthusiast could achieve in the mid 1950's, early 1960's.

The shack consists of two main positions, individual receivers and transmitters on the left and transceivers on the right. In the middle are antenna tunners and an output monitoring scope as well as the Power Supply for the Collins KWS-1 transmitter.

The left hand boatanchor position consists of the following: On the first (lowest) shelf is the Collins "Gold Dust Twins" set. There is a 312A-1 speaker to the left, a 75A-4 receiver in the center and the KWS-1 transmitter on the right.

On the middle shelf, to the left is a Collins R-391 auto-channel select receiver, in the middle is a Hammarlund SP-600JX-6 receiver and to the right is an EF Johnson Viking Valiant II transmitter.

In the top shelf, at the left as a 1930's era HRO Sr receiver and speaker (on top of the HRO) then a military surplus BC-348Q receiver (on top of that is a Hallicrafters SX-110 receiver). To the right of the BC-348Q is a Collins military AM/CW transmitter, a Navy ATC (in the Army it's called an ART-13).

On the desk top itself is a CV-591A SSB adapter that can be switched to function with either the R-391 or SP-600JX-6 receivers.

Moving on to the right is an area containing the power supply for the KWS-1 transmitter along with two 2kw antenna matchers, two TX2 rotor control heads, one for the VHF antenna stack (yagis for 50mc, 144mc (one is horizontal for weak signal, one is vertical for FM), 220mc and 432mc) and the second for a Force-12 C-4 antenna providing coverage from 40 meters (as a rotatable dipole) and 30 meters thru 10 meters as a directional yagi. Also there is a Kenwood SM-220 monitor scope whose input/output is switch selectable so I can monitor the output signal of any HF transmitter in the shack.

Moving on the right bench, at the far left hidden behind the lower tuner is an SP-940 speaker for the Kenwood TS-940, a Heathkit SB-1000 amplifier, also used with the TS-940S, and the TS-940S itself. As I use my tube/BA gear for all ham activity, the TS-940S and attachments are dedicated to MARS and CAP communications, except I have an MTM-432 transverter interfaced to the TS-940S for 70cm ham radio use. To the right of the TS-940S is a Collins KWM-2A with coverage for all ham bands from 80 thru 10 meters, including WARC, plus coverage for MARS frequencies as well. To the right of the KWM-2A is a Collins 312B-5 remote VFO. To the right of that is my CRT display for the computer terminal for logging and digital modes. I'm running the LOGic 5 version at this time, maintaining separate logs for my own station W2EC, also for my MARS activity, CAP, and, as trustee for our club station WA2TTX (USS Cabot CVL-28 Memorial), I keep the club logs on here as well. Underneath the computer, on the floor, is a Collins 30S-1 amplifier used with the KWM-2A.

On the middle shelf are a PK-232 used for MARS digital activity, then a Yaesu FT620B for 6 meters and a Kenwood TS-700A for 2 meters. Additionally there is a Heath QF-1 (Q multiplier) used with the KWM-2A, and to the right of that is a MMT-432 transverter and control head for use with the TS-940S.

Finally, on the upper shelf from left to right is a home brew power supply and 2 meter amplifier (4CX250B) used with the TS-700A, a Kenwood TM2550 2 meter FM rig with a VHF wattmeter on top for use with the homebrew amplifier. Next is an Astron 35 amp supply with two mirage RF amps in top of it, one for 6 meters and one for 70cm. Next to that is an Astron 20 amp supply and on top of it is a Kenwood FM rig dedicated to CAP use. Further to the right is a Drake MS-4/AC-4 power supply and speaker, then a Drake TR4-C Transceiver. Next is the 516F-2 power supply for use with the KWM-2A and finally the computer itself.

Other operational items not shown here are a TS-430S that I keep in a room upstairs along with my main family computer so I can keep in touch on HF when I have work to do. Then there is my mobile installation which features an Icom IC706-MKII with an SGC-230 autotuner and SGC-303 whip and a Kenwood TM-732A for FM. There is also an AT-1 that I bring out for special operating events like the Classic Exchange (CX) or other vintage activities. Finally I have a GRC-109 (R-1004/T-784/Power Supply) for portable and military type events.

That pretty much summarizes the state of the operations here at W2EC as of June, 2001.

Now that my "ulitmate" station has been established, I will be selling much of my collection that no longer has a place as I don't want it collecting dust and sitting unused. I'd rather pass it on to some other BA enthusiasts to use and enjoy. Check my excess radio list for what is currently available.