The Dungeon

KC7ZRU's 'Shack'

BASE VHF and UHF Operations

A 20' Telescoping mast topped with a Cornell-Dubilier Electronics AR-22XL Rotator and an extra 6' of 'Zim-Trak' Mast

A matched pair of Arrow Antenna 146-4S 4 element 2m beams (aprox 13dBi gain), and for UHF, a Radio Shack Discone

I'm running both a Kenwood TM-V7A and a Kenwood TH-79A(D) (So far the Kenwood "Sky Command System" TH-79KSS looks to me to be a remarketing of their existing product, the TH-79A(D). Anyone with more info - please let me know.) Using the TH-79A to remotely control the V7A is great. However, even with out that feature I'd be totally pleased with these radios!

An MFJ-817 VHF/UHF SWR-Power Meter

An Astron RS-20A and a 'Generic' 8 amp Power Supply

Plans are in action to setup a 12v Gel-Cel Battery backup system using the power supplies and a 'smart charger'

TM-V7 info

Click here for a clear diagram on how to wire the V7A to a Kantronics TNC

If you plan on using your TM-V7 for packet operations, take a look at the V7's Audio Response

Visit Keith's (KC7KC) site for info on Remote Control of the Kenwood TM-V7A.

Please, don't ask for out of band tx mods. If you can't find them on your own, you probobly don't need them
TM-V7A/E (TM-G707A/E) & PG-4S The memories in these two Kenwood radios can be programmed and read by a PC, if you have their free softare and a PG-4S cable (A=North American model, E=European Model). The PG-4S cable is available from Kenwood via many retailers I have found plans for building a functional copy of a data cable on PE1PTS home page (now defunct - however a copy does reside at http://www.mods.dk ). The origional description is in German and the image file a bit hard to read I've 'interpreted' the German version into an English version for those that don't read German (includes my notes). You should be able to build this thing by just looking at the origional image file. I assume the origional image is by DB8KY, but I don't know for sure My English version may be of help if you're newer to 'home brewing' or need part numbers - in any case, the redrawn image is easier to read! Images and plans for a Printed Circuit Board using Surface Mount Devices that will fit inside a DB-9 shell have been put together by Roberto (EB4EQA). He's got a couple other projects you can find links to on his home page
NOTE!! These plans here on my site for the PG-4S have met with limited success. Some have had no problem using them to make a working cable. Others, myself included, have had many frustrations. However, a Dutch ham, Roland (PD2RLD) has taken what's here and improved on it! He's had good success with this schematic. Thanks again for sharing this Roland. Good work!!!
TH-G71 & PG-4P Nope - I don't have one of these little babies, but I did get a copy of a workalike datacable/adapter that Chris (KB7QPK) designed. Since it's based on the design posted here for the PG-4S it follows the PG-4P workalike should be available from here as well! TH-G71A Programming cable
Kenwood Software The software is available from Kenwood's web site for free download. Manuals for all current Kenwood Amateur products are also available
Kenwood Pinouts Kenwood has posted a couple PDF files that describes most any of the connectors used by their radios currently in production. You can find them on their web site. You'll need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view them

On the Packet Side Packet station KC7ZRU can be found at 144.390Mhz as an APRS digipeater and PBBS

A Home Brew "SO-239" 1/4 wave antenna about 15' up

A Radio Shack HTX-242 Transciever

Kantronics KPC-3+ TNC with Version 8.2 Firmware

Home Brew P5-200 running xastir on Linux (Red Hat)

This setup is running 24x7 and is a backup APRS I-gate for the Casper area

I alos run Casper's primary I-gate and aprsd server. Located at the headquarters office of NTS Transportation in downtown Casper, WY

On the Mobile Side For APRS Tracking

A Bargin/Blemished DeLorme TripMate (I got mine for $50+S&H and then modified it according to KD4RDB's instructions) feeding position data to a

Kantronics KPC3+TNC. This one with Firmware V8.3 and using the 'virtual' serial port for GPS data

A HamHUD-II handles the SmartBeaconing, messaging and enroute data display

A Radio Shack HTX-242 feeding a

Radio Shack 5/8 wave mag mount antenna

Where's the "DigiRam"?
For FM voice ops

Another Kenwood TM-V7A feeding

a Hamstick 2m 'colinear' on a 3 magnet mount

A Radio Shack Pro-46 mobile Scanner

The scanner is fed by a home brewed 1/4 wave mag mount tuned to 144.600.

For fixed mobile and Remote X-band operation of the V7A I have an Arrow Antenna Dual Band 'Better J-Pole' on an 8' mast fitted to a 'roof mount' tripod. Also available for fringe areas is an Arrow Antenna 146-4S (VERY sturdy antenna) or an old Cushcraft 11 element 2m beam (better gain, but not nearly as sturdy). I also have an Arrow AO-27 dual band yagi for sattalite work

Click HERE for the complete KC7ZRU site