VE7BZ Station Tour

While my interest and involvement in radio dates back to the late sixties, I wasn't licensed until the late 1990's; initially as VE7AVV. In November 2005 my call changed to VE7BZ. At present I have worked 325 countries (mixed mode) and of particular interest to me are 163 counties I have worked on 80m.

Over the past 30+ years I've had the good fortune to be part of numerous radio, tower and antenna projects. When it came time to build my first station I selected the best examples from the past and incorporated them into the development of my station. In the fall of 1995, StoneyGround Station was born with a few simple wire antennas on the acreage near the southeast coast of Vancouver Island (NA-036) -- 6 miles south of Duncan, BC.

With my first retirement in mid-1999 came the luxury of additional time and the opportunity to begin building a bigger station. A 50' Delhi tower was installed in September 1999 and topped off with a Hy-Gain TH6-DXX. Using the big trees on the acreage, a number of large wire antennas were constructed for the low bands. I have two (2) dipoles at right-angles to one another for both 80m and 40m; both sets of antennas are at 115 feet. For 160m I use an Inverted 'L' (between two trees) that has a 106 foot vertical section, two 135 foot raised radials and number of ground-based radials. In addition I have a 480' beverage for 160m that runs northeast out into the back of the property. The entire station is built using the PolyPhaser design system for grounding.

Inside the shack, I use a pair of YAESU FT-1000MP MARK-V's; one is for DX and contest work while the other is dedicated to RTTY. The radios drive an Alpha 99 amp. For general contest work I use the N1MM software with a ZS4TX Super Combo Keyer. If it's an RTTY contest, N1MM loads the fabulous MMTTY engine -- it's a great combination for AFSK work. Even though N1MM is a great (Windows-based) contest software package, I occasionally fire up my trusty DOS machine so I can run either CT or TR-Log because they can drive my K1EA DVP unit -- it's still the most natural sounding digital voice keyer on the air in my humble opinion.

Over the years -- a liberal mix of patience coupled with due diligence research, attention to detail, a great deal of listening and lots of testing has produced a station that in combination with its immediate surroundings appears to play very well. I’m delighted with the overall performance of my creation!

In the words of a legendary character - non other than the Old Timer I firmly believe "DX'ing is a state of mind" and you should "judge a DX'er by what they are and what they think, not what they have worked." I learned a long time ago why Deserving has a capital D.

**Click on any picture for a larger image**
Circa 1956... this is where the magic of radio truly began for me. This is VE7GG, it was the club station at the (now decommissioned) Canadian Forces - VWS or Vancouver Wireless Station, Ladner, BC. This is where I grew up and that's likely my bicycle at the front door of the shack -- I spent a great deal of time at this fine station.			At a variety of locations over the years (before getting my license) I built a number of elaborate SWL antenna systems. This 1972 in Victoria, BC
VE7BZ today	TH6-DXX at 52 feet		The shack - 2006
VE7BZ /m
The radios are a Kenwood TK-780 for commercial service work, an ICOM IC-2200 for the 2m amateur spectrum and a Kenwood TS-480 for HF			The HF antenna is a High Sierra HS-1800/Pro Click on any image for the installation details page

Some of my other web pages
VE7BZ - station renovation in November 2005		Making crimp-on connectors for RG-213
Linear switching project		Battery back-up system
2004 FP/VE7SV DXpedition		BN86 balun replacement on a TH6-DXX
Reading 'Lat x Long' from BC Hydro pole tags		Reading resistors color codes
Coax cable specs		VW Jetta 'Euro-headlight' conversion project
Comparative SWR readings for 160m Inverted L antenna		Radio installation in Jeep Grand Cherokee
VE7BZ - 160m beverage plots		VE7BZ - 160m Inverted L antenna
VE7BZ - 2006 PEP Communications Volunteer of the Year
Some favorite links
CDN Military Coms and Electronics Museum		The Signalers Club of Canada
Vancouver Wireless Station		Canadian Forces Station -- Alert, NWT

Station Tour: