Heathkit HAM Shack[via LSMTP - see www.lsoft.com]

[Lee Blaske]

>I'm currently rebuilding my garage and turning it into a workshop/ham
>shack.  Although, I spent 20+ years in the Navy as a Radioman, I'm new to
>the world of Ham Radio.  I'm waiting for my study materials and plan on
>taking my Tech license first and then the novice.
>
>My garage was previously built on open earth with no foundation.  Since I'm
>in the early phase of my garage rebuild, (I have one new wall, plan on
>rebuilding two more, then work on installing a cement slab.  I currently
>have power but it consists of a light fixture and an outlet.  My plan is to
>have a sub-panel installed with several outlets per wall.  I anticipate
>having the electricians do their work in about 3-4 weeks.
>
>I would like to get into packet, satellite comms in the future.
>
>I would like to know if there are any pitfalls I should avoid in the
>planning and installation of equipment,
>or anything I should make sure that I have, i.e. power 110 and 220, ground
>straps, etc.?
>
>Are there any publications that cover this type of information?  Does
>anyone have any experience they would like to share?
>
>I have a Heathkit SB-303, SB-401, SB-600, SB-630 on the way.  I have a
>Hallicrafters S-20R in the wings to be restored and a bunch of Heathkit
>Test equipment to work with.

John,

You didn't mention where you were located. Do you get many storms
where you're at?

If you do, you need to adequately prepare for a possible lightning
strike. If you're in the construction phase, it'll be easy for you to
install a good perimeter ground system tied to your electrical
service, and install a properly designed and grounded bulkhead
entrance for all your antenna leads.

Polyphaser is a good source of info for this sort of thing. It's good
to get the facts straight and avoid all the old wive's tales that so
many hams still live by. Polyphaser has a great book on the subject
that's well worth the $25 or so that it costs (especially if it
prevents your shack from being reduced to a smoldering cinder with
all your vintage Heath stuff inside).

Go to the Polyphaser site at: www.polyphaser.com and check out all
the technical information topics. They've even got a specific ham
related category: http://www.polyphaser.com/download/PTD1016.pdf

A properly installed bulkhead enclosure is also the best place to put
low pass filters, so that the lead to ground is extremely short.
Folks that have their filters in the shack simply re-radiate the RF
that they're filtering off with the long lead to ground.

After you look at the Polyphaser site, also check out what Industrial
Communications Engineers has to offer. Visit their website at:
http://www.inducomm.net/

Industrial Communications Engineers, Inc. has some EXTREMELY well
designed and heavy duty equipment for antenna and power protection
(and the prices are quite reasonable considering what you're
getting). I think their catalog should be required reading for every
licensed ham. ;-)

73,

Lee Blaske N0IZ

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