WQ6X Raucously Renovates Portable Operations from East Bay section

For many people "Spring Cleaning" is an annual affair; others do it only when the situation demands it.  For WQ6X operations, this weekend spring cleaning came in many forms.  Equipment like the Rockville mixer and the OwnZone wireless headsets underwent an overhaul in Alameda before reintegration into the new equipment layout.

As it turns out, WQ6X's King-of-Spain Cw operation from [NX6T] Nashville was the LAST and FINAL transmissions from the NX6T hilltop station overlooking surrounding Fallbrook.  Non-amateur use
has relegated us 2nd class citizens; i.e. - EVICTED.  All that REALLY means is that the BEST
of Fallbrook operations are being "blended" (merged) with the best of ANZA.  Look for a walloping NX6T presence in the upcoming WPX-2021 Cw contest.

For unrelated reasons, my portable operation in Concord was in a sense "Evicted" to a different
space at the W7AYT location.  This required a complete dismantle of the equipment morass cobbled together over recent years.  Transforming the equipment layout into a more orderly operation was accomplished by Dennis (W7AYT) and I (watching) upgrading the operating desk with multiple shelves, allowing the equipment to be laid out in a more conducive dual-receive (aka stereo) operation.  This should streamline remote operation, as well as local station usage.

Keywords important to this equipment setup include: Aesthetics and Ergonomics.  The goal is
for the equipment layout to look reasonably organized and well-ordered, which then also contributes to efficient operating ergonomics.  Bottom-line: if it don't look good or it is too confusing to operate, eventually, the station setup will be gathering dust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, having the ability to switch and mix audio from several radios opens the possibility
for SWL'ing along with ragchewing and contesting.  Thanks to the 500+ memories and a thoroughly functioning DSP, the ICOM-7000 has new life as an SWL receiver, as well as a backup transceiver.

As much of a hassle it has been to reorder virtually EVERYTHING, the UPSIDE of doing so has allowed me to cleanup the audio interaction between the different takes on the radio world (IC-7000 - K3/0 - FT-1000mp).  It is no secret that I love to knob twiddle.  This current equipment layout makes
it easier than ever to twiddle those knobs.

Have you ever conducted a complete overhaul of your radio equipment setup?

What Changes DiD YOU Make?

HoW DiD it Turn Out?