Design Your Ideal Ham Radio Shack with Dave W7UUU

"Ham Radio Perspectives" Interviews Dave, W7UUU, who lost his amateur radio shack in a fire and built a new one based on terrific principles for all hams. Hosted by Quin, K8QS, and Tom, WA9TDD. Post your additional ham shack ideas below.

[@researchcapt]

This is a really good lesson for me. No more junk power strips.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Yep, stay away from those suckers.

[@tsdelaney]

Great, practical ideas and advice! Thank you for this video - I’m going to convert a 12 by 20 shed into my man cave/shack and this was just the video I needed! Thank you and 73, de VE1XR

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks, Tim. I would love to meet you on the air -- maybe 17 meters? Fire me an email via QRZ if you are interested. Quin, K8QS

[@daveduffy2292]

The gang plank is a must. Great job functional and forward thinking

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Agreed, Dave. Thanks for your comment. Please share the video with your local friends/clubs. So much wisdom here. Q&T

[@kellydiver]

This was very helpful. I’m a returning ham after a 25-year break, and I was also the victim of a house fire nine years ago caused by an aftermarket laptop battery. I’m very nervous about electronics now. I only have a corner of a bedroom for my shack, but it’s taking me a long time to put it together because I’m obsessive about power and grounding now. I appreciate it when experienced hams share their knowledge about these issues.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Welcome back to the hobby, Kelly. Thanks for your posting. Quin, K8QS

[@trivialone11]

Wow! That Ham Shack is really something Dave W7UUU. My current Ham Shack is a Yaesu VX-6. I'm going to talk to the wifie about doing something like this when I pass my General Exam. Wish me luck. 😂 The good news is after that conversation I'll be able to take my ham shack with me when I'm looking for a new couch to sleep on. 🤣🤣🤣 KK7PBE ... Joking aside, that is an Awesome setup.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Hey, just put your bed in your shack!

[@graywolf1911]

I have had to move my shack in our home, and now I am attempting to design the room to my liking, but I had so many ideas that I could not get off "zero". This video was SO informative and covered so many KEY areas, I am thoroughly impressed and have some great ways to incorporate what Dave has done. Power strips being one thing that will go, I already had used metal power strips for HD, commercial grade. I have questions about the cable panel with BNC cables; do you run the coax from your antennas to the rear of the panel and how do they connect to the rear of BNC connectors?

[@mcmichaeltube]

I'm planning a new shack, and this was great information. Thanks.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks, Rick.

[@ronjones4069]

You can not emphasize enough how important (critical) itis to be able to get behind the operating position. Well done, my friend.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Yes, we all kick ourselves for not doing this.

[@slappomatthew]

great stuff. Wish I had a empty 3 car garage to work with. I'm in the cornet of the laundry room along with a sim racing rig, a reloading station, and all my archery stuff, airsoft stuff etc.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Been there! That would be a great topic -- shacks in small places.

[@dfpolitowski2]

Dave, I actually ran across you on QRZ just browsing, a few weeks ago. And after reading your page, I made certain the new power strip I just order a few days early was not subject to what might be a flame out. Plan on cleaning up all my crazy wiring soon.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks for watching. Q&T

[@mikemcdonald5147]

really good presentation and ideas. Just found your channel and subscribed. Will be working my way back thru your older videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Great to have you on board, Mike. More great videos coming up.... Q & T

[@denp54z]

Great work Dave.

[@DonzLockz]

Great video! Lots of information someone would not normally think about.👍 I really like the gang plank idea, no wall warts or power boards and most importantly, I now realise I need a "belly" mic!😄🍻👍

[@QuentinSchultze]

Thanks so much, Don. W7UUU is a fantastic ham from whom we can all learn much. Q&T

[@jeremywoolsey3222]

An excellent presentation with some very good ideas.

[@QuentinSchultze]

Thanks, Jeremy. Do subscribe to our channel. Q&T

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

Tom - Great looking hat brother!!!! nice video gents! Beautiful Shack Dave!

[@tomdulisch3966]

John, that will be my video hat until maybe my hair grows back. Thanks for the "sponsorship." 8-)

[@Scott-np7sl]

FANTASTIC video! Way too few views, more hams should be watching this for sure.

[@QuentinSchultze]

Scott, thanks so much for your encouragement. Dave is a fabulous ham with great insights. Q&T

[@tonyridlen]

Excellent video about how to set up your ideal ham radio shack! 73 KC9QVE Marion,Indiana

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks so much, Tony. Dave did a great job with his post-fire shack. Quin & Tom

[@Paddy_Roche]

So interesting. You guys really know how to make great content. Dave’s Shack is fantastic, and a cautionary tale. Well done him for coming back from that disaster stronger. Top notch guys, 73 de 2E0TWD

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks so much, Paddy. Great to see you online again. We've got some more great topics and guests coming up. Spread the word. 73, Quin & Tom

[@brentjohnson6654]

Fantastic conversation on designing and operating a ham shack. I am recently licensed (Jan 2020) as a General. I took all 3 tests and missed the Extra by 4 questions (I had not studied for the extra). There were some questions on RF modeling that I had not seen since Electrical Engineering classes in the 70’s. Haha. For my shack, I am converting an office next to our master bedroom. I agree with the data ports I have 40+ drops of CAT5 throughout the house and garage (I might have gone a bit crazy, but I like having connections while I need them). One thing I missed if was talked about. Is there a knife switch or quick disconnect from the outside antenna farm? Lightning arrestors are ok up to a certain point, but I like to have the wire not even connected during some of our Texas thunderstorms. That may just be me though. Great video! All the best! 73 de KI5HXM

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Hi, Brent. Thanks so much for your note. And congrats on your licenses and new shack. Yes, arrestors go only so far. I disconnect the antenna where it comes into the shack whenever there might be storms, and leave it disconnected when I am away from home for a few days or more. Quin, K8QS

[@jamesprokop7746]

Halon fire extinguishers are hard to find... I would love a couple for my shack/office

[@mikemcdonald5147]

You guys were doing good what happened? Love to see more videos from you guys. Hope y’all come back and make more.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

HI, Mike. We've got a bunch coming up. Stay tuned. Q

[@mikemcdonald5147]

@@HamRadioPerspectives sweet looking forward to them

[@IanScottJohnston]

About a month ago, I was charging a 5000mAh lithium-ion strimmer (weed whacker) battery in my workshop and the charger error'd........so I took the hot battery outside onto the patio, laid it down on the stone and went back for a screwdriver and when I walked outside again the battery exploded right in-front of me. 3ft firework type flames in all directions. I was VERY VERY lucky that my electronics workshop was burnt to the ground.

[@barryinn1778]

I loved his shack, what a shack it was. I would like to know about noisy things that can interfere with radios and make noise while transmitting or receiving .

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Hi, Barry. Thanks for your note. Tom and did one video on LED-related noise and will be doing another one soon. Q, K8QS

[@amrwhiskey3456]

Are those door blanks for the desk top. And are the spacers screwed or just stacked. Looks good and doable. Just scale it for your own space. My work bench usually is the kitchen counter. The best light in my house is the kitchen.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Here's a response from Dave: The tables are from Home Depot. "Knock down build-it-yourself" commercial dining tables - 30" x 60" with solid wood tops. You could certainly use doors as well. But last summer the tables went on sale for $174 each so I bought 4 of them. They're now back at regular price of $299 but I'm sure they'll be on sale again for someone who is patient enough to wait. I just got lucky :-) www.homedepot.com/p/StyleWell-Donnelly-Black-Metal-Rectangular-Dining-Table-for-6-with-Natural-Finish-Top-60-in-L-x-30-in-H-TB8002BK/309090382 Dave W7UUU

[@GreggK6EGG]

the back of my shack is a MESS... i really need to clean it up

[@nealbeach4947]

Don't forget to add a radio to you Computer Shack.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

How could we miss that? Maybe multiple radios.

[@marklowe7431]

Plan task #1. Have an electrical fire extinguisher. It's scary I was thinking of this a few days ago and then see this video.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Yes, and look at the instructions in advance on how to use it. Q&T

[@ericturner2477]

What magnifier lights does he use? The ones I've found on Amazon aren't very nice.

[@williewilson8244]

I saw the power strip and was like 20. Bucks VS 50K in gear and 70K in Structure. As an electrician I would recommend using commercial power outlets 20 amp. With equipment today it just gets cheaper!!!!! Commercial 20 amp plugs on branch circuits rated for 20 Amps. That means that they are rated for non continuous duty rated application. I would also recommend Afci/GFCI beakers in the panel!!! Yes they are a shit ton of money 80. Bucks a piece but they have or give amazing protection due to arcing Conditions. Another comment Romex is not the best possible wiring method. It is rated out of the 60’ C column of Table 310-15 and putting that cable under (Really a commercial application) it will be taxed. Just saying!!!! Load = Power, Power = Heat , Equals Risk and well then your not only a ham operator you big in the Hoseracing sector just bet on the safe horse…

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks for your contribution, Willie. Q&T

[@davesradioshack]

Did all of that. There are zero power strips in the new shack. ALL the outlets are 20A and there are GFCI/AFCI breakers.

[@madjack8893]

Heya! New sub. 73’s

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks, Mad J. Q&T

[@rocklickranch2804]

Dave, what’s the depth of your desktop?

[@davesradioshack]

The desktops are 30" deep, 60" wide, and 24" from the wall

[@peterforbes5577]

No mention of smoke detectors for when you are out of the shack but don't have the room alarmed. Peter VK3QI

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Wow, you're right, Peter. Thanks for serving the ham community. Q&T

[@ellisonnorthwestinc.1863]

We just didn’t have the bandwidth to get to that during the video. But yes… I have a full fire detection system that’s part of our overall security system. Great point!

[@jgwimmer]

Great, but definitely not for the average budget ham....several great ideas for hams with any budget, ie, the gangplank.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

I'm a new HAM. I don't get it? Talking to a complete stranger for less than a minute half way around the country for nothing!? You've accomplished absolutely nothing? I haven't made 10 QSOs yet, and have been considering ditching the hobby from the the moment I made my first QSO! Then last night some HAM radio police asshole ripped my ass for being out of my General class license bandwidth?!?!? I explained to him that it was an accident, totally unintentional! I even told him that and that I was getting ready to set up the 7300 for General bandwidth edges. Didn't seem to sway him any. He was not friendly at all! Then his very next QSO I sat there and listened to him brag about putting me in my place like he'd really done something good !!?? If this is HAM radio, I don't want a damn thing to do with it! Dave, son,,, do you even have a life ? Your shack is very well planned and meticulously thought out, but in my opinion way over the top and just totally ridiculous! I believe I counted 7 computer screens! What in the world could you possibly be doing or accomplishing? I don't like keeping records or log books. I could care less about awards or plaques in frames on the wall. I'm not here to impress anyone, I don't care what anyone thinks about me. Like I said, I am disambiguated with this hobby. I liken it to the CB radio craze from way back in the 70's! But I got burnt out on that as well way back then... In my opinion, it's a grotesquely expensive hobby with very little enjoyment or personal return. Yeah, I think I'm gonna get off this ride, just not that much fun! One of the very first conversations I tuned into was two old farts discussing how good the Cobb Salads were at Bob Evans!?!? Really?!?! Is this what I studied for and spent all my money for ?!?! I haven't been to a Bob Evans in years !!!

[@MaryJoD]

Yes, I agree, you should leave the hobby.

[@davesradioshack]

Yep - I 100% agree - sell your gear. Ham radio is NOT for you.

[@slappomatthew]

I really dont know why fire fighters dont just contain the fire and let it burn, in most cases they would be doing the home owner a favor with less mess to clean up. their current methods of fire fighting leaves a house that is literally as damaged as possible while still standing. leaving you with the chore of basically completely stating over with a huge pile of worse than trash.

[@grampsradio]

9:07 - that software gets horrible user reviews on Amazon.

[@HamRadioPerspectives]

Thanks, gramps. Apparently it works well for some simple applications.

[@MaryJoD]

@Dave W7UUU What do you use for your dual clock, please? @davesradioshack @HamRadioPerspectives

[@jeffsmythe3038]

Nice clean shack . When I was living in gig harbor, from 1992 to 2008 My work bench I was using closet door. Now cence move back in tacoma, Im using my old work bench that i had when i used live in the north end in tacoma in my bedroom witch had small alcove ( Lshape ),12 ft x15 ft. back in from1974 to 1992. I dont use dc adapers so using 13v/30A power supply hook up to Distributor Strip for my . kb7qag

[@QuentinSchultze]

Good work, Jeff. Q&T, Ham Radio Perspectives