Ultimate Ham Radio Shack Tour - DX Commander Factory Shack

[@DukeDave1]

Yes I like your thoughts Callum. Please continue and I'm taking notes thank-you for doing this.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Part 2 coming out shortly because it's all changed already!

[@fm71450]

Thank you for another interesting video. At 73, I am late to ham radio. Until now, all my ham rádio experience had been “portable”. The downside of “portable” operations for me is inclement weather, so I will HAVE TO make a space inside - a “shack”. Your mistakes section was greatly appreciated, thanks for your honesty.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

G'luck!

[@Martin_Lynch]

Most excellent and informative video presentation Callum. Who were those other fellas by the way ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Other fellas.. Erm. Tom, Jonathan, Mike, James, Tim.. All your customers!

[@Martin_Lynch]

@@DXCommanderHQ Only jesting Callum, damn fine content as always.

[@BurninWires]

My mind boggles at what you have. Loved the tour, and the cameos. Especially the last one. 😳🤣🤣

[@julianrobertson3303]

Thank you for sharing Callum , perfect as always . it's interesting how all the ham equipment is becoming automated , I've noticed that the world of ham radio is somehow becoming much smaller in terms of all the technology , ie, online Kiwi SDR map , GPS technology , ,waterfalls on the radios , now electronic bot type voices , I assume it's all heading towards essentially just sitting back & letting the computer do all the work . I would imagine that the above creates a certain amount of stress & indeed expense & inevitably at some point something fails within the technology chain , it's subjective I know , but there's a certain delight about the simplicity of just turning a dial & tuning in , the challenge of creating a contact with the simplest of equipment , as in the challenge itself becoming the joy of the hobby ,the art of radio , I'm sure as we get older the whole hobby will go full circle , back to basics , back to the joy of communication , whereas in meanwhile if today's radio technology becomes too animated & advanced , it will be no different to a phone , or an email perhaps ? , it's just an observation ,if the number of contacts is taken for granted & it's essentially a matter of logging numbers , I would imagine the hobby could possibly start to become repetitive & will lose it's shine ?. These RF manufactures somehow develop things to spend our money perhaps ?, rather like cameras , or anything come to that .

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I don't know about that because I'm happy with my TS-590SG.. And N1MM's voice-keyer has been around for probably 15-20 years. I remember programming it back in about 2005. I think it's up to the operator. You still need to build, maintain and run a station.. and NO amount of tech will hear those weak stations in the noise that a human ear can detect.. For instance, my stream tonight.. I had several very quiet USA stations on 80m and 40m.. I had to work some antennas to pick them out.. Of course, some folks will want the gadgets, I just want remote control, an amp, decent logging s/w and a selection of antennas :)

[@ehayes5217]

I think ur exactly right--the technology, the automation, everything, is so amazing, yet will it become so easy, so repetitive with little challenge that it loses its sparkle, loses the human touch, so to speak🤔I hope not, but also believe it may come full circle some day, perhaps being nothing more than 2 Ops with RF between Points A & B...🤔🇺🇸

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Worked all states and 12 countries with a Heath HW-16 and a hand full of 40 & 15M rocks!

[@julianrobertson3303]

Fair enough & indeed each to their own , I have always thought that the art of radio was the challenge of direct communication , the very challenge of tuning in to that faint station , and the very achievement is all part of the fun , all the expensive technology just takes that away , but as I say , each to their own .@@DXCommanderHQ

[@julianrobertson3303]

Well said .@@ehayes5217

[@jackK5FIT]

Another great video!! The amount of work you and your family and friends have put in is mind boggling. I had to watch it twice to follow everything. What a truly unique shack... more of a mansion really.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ifell3]

I love your channel, you are such an honest chap just living your dream!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I appreciate that!

[@ontariocbclub]

When I am on my Shack, I just turn on my power supply and my radio... simple as that. If I not in my Shack, I am not on the radio.

[@N1IA-4]

"It's never-ending...." I know the feeling, bro. Nice tour!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You got that right!

[@garyh8315]

Thanks Cal, a nice little vid going through what you've done and what is upcoming. Like the voice keyer. There aren't many vids out there explaining it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I'll do a whole 2-part video on that..

[@garyh8315]

@@DXCommanderHQ It was a funny vid last week. Thankyou

[@GroundControl204]

Awesome video, I’ve been building up my shack as well for the last few years… Still at the drawing board‼️ 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can do it!

[@MAV8865]

Now that was a cracking Video Cal.. looking forward to the rest of them.

[@migalito1955]

I must say, you really do have a great channel. Given spring is coming and I want 80 meters you have given me a few very good ideas. May use a loop. Here in the Catskills my Australian Shepard aka Buddy has 160 acres to run on & would be shocked if he ever had to wear a leash, but does put up with the seatbelt harness because he notices I wear one too & loves the rides in a van. Buddy also shows me how smart dogs are, so much so that I prefer calling them companions rather than dogs.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Companions...! I like it.

[@keithleggett5427]

Great video as usual ... one thing I recommend is to use dust covers on unused so239 sockets outside to prevent weather ingress and tarnishing ... from personal experience here in Scotland!

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

Great idea. I have connectors that only get used when I’m doing SOTA/pota or other field activations. Both of them are on a mast that i built. I will put them on when they come in. In the AZ desert, they are for dust most of the time. We have had less than normal rain since summer began. When I wash the truck and forget the mast is in there, it could get a little wet.

[@Will_N4WIL]

Wow! Quite the progression from your last location.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, thanks

[@kurtwolter3984]

Amazing video. Love the tour out in the field. Cheers from the west burbs of Chicago. ‘73. 😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you very much!

[@ripping]

Love the clock. I'm a new viewer of your channel and it is kinda addictive. No ham license here, but you give me inspiration. Keep up the great content.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome aboard! I do hope I make it a bit of fun for you!

[@BrokenSignal]

I use the Shelly devices to automate my entire home! Love them! Have a couple videos on my channel of it.

[@gamlemann53]

Great video Callem! The best from LB1NH 🙂

[@alanbond1269]

Callum next level setup you have. Your be setting a lunar landing next. Keep the videos going 73s

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks, will do!

[@UDX-340]

Excellent , always enjoy seeing the madness.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

More to come!

[@erikleffi3911]

Anti-reverb homemade system is very interesting!

[@randyhavener1851]

Hi Callum! Love all of your videos, but especially stuff like this!! Thsnk you! Thank you! Thank You!! de N9RAN

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Great Video Callum! Hope Mike & Roly are good! A shack is a messy dirty place where your wife wont dare to go! lol

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Pretty much!

[@colinparrott4716]

Great videos Cal always great to see how others have set up there equipment.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@bengeluutlengel6939]

For switching remotely I use 4ch relay pcb's with esp8266 12F flashed with esphome or espeasy from Ali. Works like a charme and ~€6. Powersupply on the pcb.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

If you know of relays with a working Windows program, email me..

[@g0fvt]

Throwing random stuff out, would be good to see you using the 18m as you mentioned, a friend built a tuned frame antenna for HF, smallish, awesome directivity. Something you might like to play with.....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Cool idea

[@TheScaleModelShack]

Old timer ! Old timer ! I’m 50 bloody 5 😂😂 anyway glad you like the nixie clock, can’t beat real cold glad tubes ! Get in on a live stream with the slots mode engaged 👍👍📻📻📻

[@DXCommanderHQ]

STEVE!! Yeah man.. It's permanently ON.. I'll leave it that way so I don't have to SET it :)

[@billybiker1383]

Hello Callum ....im back in the UK :) Just something I noticed, put some steel wall in the hole in the wall...will help to stop pests

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No pests yet! But I did buy some steel wool..!

[@billybiker1383]

@m0mcx I had the same problem Callum and found shortly after where the little buggers where getting in.

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

nice set up Callum, thanks for sharing.. 73 mate

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@SteveHomer]

Great Video - Keep up the fantastic work!!

[@g4lmn-ron]

Your shack to home link, Ubiquiti airMAX LiteBeam , I have had two of these running over 7 miles.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I have a pair of Rocket M5s. And 2 x of the back-bone style 31dBi dishes.. One of the dishes will be suffice with a vertical my end (I hope!).

[@jonrichardson71]

If you can - use the double screened double jacketed Cat6 external cable, grounded both ends and the metal Gen2 radios rather than some of the plastic ones - otherwise there’s quite a lot of wideband qrm out of them 😕

[@MW0XAD]

Great video as always Cal, your Microwave link, I cant help but think a dish either end would be so much more efficient

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes it would.. But you ought to see the vertical I bought! It's uber-huge! The reason for vertical vs dish is wind-load at the house (I need the height)..

[@arnasundraitisLY7K]

Great video Callum as always..! I would love to know more about remote operation. I mean we all know about hardware you use. But I would really wanna know about software configurations: COM ports, how radio talks to your computer, how do you send your audio from home to radio and how you get the audio from the radio, what's the sonobus and etc. :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Will do! Shortly.. It's in the pipe.

[@roberthopkins8089]

Wow so much work... I would lke to see more phased antenna work.. With that paddock you can try some stuff out..

[@DXCommanderHQ]

More to come!

[@roberthopkins8089]

@@DXCommanderHQ regards the 3m cable lube you got the right product.. Infact i have never had a bad anything from them.... Why a sealed metal box shoud cost a one er I dont know... If this antenna software still bends my brain after the weekend i may well try bending yours for an answer.. Best 73 Rob M6DXX South Warwickshire...

[@MarkGoodger-f7z]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Glad you liked it!

[@James_Bowie]

To minimize the possibility of QRM, would suggest a linear power supply for the Genius switch.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well.. It's tested and there appears top be nothing heard :)

[@jeffgorman2221]

one of my boxes from sig 9 I had gotten recently made me chuckle has a smiley face on it written in black sharpie lol

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, that's Loki..!

[@ronleblanc9832]

wow you got a lot of stuff going on 🤯🤯🤯🤯 great vedio

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you! 🤗

[@James_Bowie]

Great review, thanks!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@kj6155]

I remember your previous lightning strike and was curious to see what you've done for any lightning/surge protection. I may have missed it, but I didn't catch it on the stream. Also, was curious to see how you've common grounded all of that shack equipment. I'm currently re-doing my shack (aren't we all...) and am interested to see how others have addressed the issues. - 73-

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so in the UK, we don't have as much lightning as some other places.. There is a common ground at the antenna field - and the whole site is grounded too.. Bottom line is that I have insurance since the cost of a massive lightning ground across about a 100m radius would cost a ton of money.. I just hope!

[@n3ljs399]

Model # RAAS-4a: 4 Position Remote Automatic Antenna Switch Kit by WA4MCM...........

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. Well I have the genius already :)

[@W4GHW]

I want a video on your mixer!

[@ehayes5217]

Thank you for the very interesting tour of "everything," fascinating & even motivational, always making me wanna' do more! & ur exactly right, it IS neverending, LOL😂 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can do it!

[@iancapon3000]

Hi Callum, great video as always. Would it be possible to do a video about the Discord setup for remote audio? You had one on your old channel that was all the info. I need but sadly it is no more. Cheers Ian GW7APP

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Remote Audio.. Coming up shortly..

[@wordwalker3]

Pills? I knew I was forgetting something!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA

[@blahbadyblah]

Where can I find the foam panels?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Watch the video. Explains in first few minutes. Description has the link.

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

If you are setting up a new antenna then what about taking a leaf out of W5JGV's book

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Not sure about leaves..! LOL

[@mjodr]

That hand made nixie tube shack clock is freaking awesome. I've always wanted to play with those nixie tubes. Does he sell stuff publicly?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

He says he makes these for friends.

[@TheScaleModelShack]

If you ping me I might be able to help, warning though they ain’t cheap to build 😉

[@johnnyjohn6527]

some good stuff

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tnx!

[@MegaJunebug3]

Addiction!

[@ICEDoTDK]

cool job 73 from Danmark

[@patrickbuick5459]

Interesting.

[@billybigdinners7407]

Wats wrong with a Shed?

[@k9eihamradio]

YES! Just hide the shit! Stuff it into the closets and cabinets! lol

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Last 2-days.. Been busy!

[@corsavic1]

brilliant vid gotta say i wont you clock that is amazing, can i buy one

[@DXCommanderHQ]

He makes them for friends.. That's what he told me. He's a busy boy.

[@jest.S50SI]

Heloo to Peter the bird😊 And you afcourse my Call😉Yes and the 40m band😂 from..some S5 guy 👽

[@Rubedo777]

Are you having a shack sale of the stuff you’ve grown out of or will you be doing like most of us and saving it ALL 😊 I throw stuff out reluctantly… if I’d got rid of my icom 706 when it first came out in the 90s ( I think ) as life took me away from ham radio 😢 I’d have had to take out a mortgage for the ultimate rig that would put me on Valium trying to figure out how it works. 😊 Best wishes to everyone…. Errr btw is “ shit “ a special technology reference. 😂😊😂 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, "shit" is a military term.. Not quite sure what it means! :)

[@eliotmansfield]

20a probably means it’s a radial not a ring

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Correct!

[@brian.7966]

what did you buy your partner today ??

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHA

[@DEFENDINGELVISPRESLEY]

Interesting - 2e0zdj