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This is the nerve-centre, the Station Operations Console for ZL2iFB and ZM4G (well OK, my desk):
The rig at centre stage is an Elecraft K3. It sounds lovely on the Bose hi-fidelity computer
loudspeakers or lightweight foldable Sennheiser PX 100 32-ohm hi-fi headphones
(“communications” speakers and headphones with limited audio range went out with the ark - I let
the rig’s sophisticated  DSP shape the audio exactly to my liking). I use a curvy wireless keyboard
and mouse on the PC to reduce the desktop clutter
(relatively speaking). The LK550 linear amplifier to the
right loafs along at our license limit of 500W. A fabulous
old Yaesu peak-reading power meter sits on top of the
rotator control box. A modified Bencher paddle with
silver plated curved paddles plugs into the Morse
Machine next to the monitor. The AC voltmeter to the
left of the monitor lets me keep an eye on the mains.
There’s a big pile of QSL cards waiting to go to the
bureau - I send literally hundreds at a time, a couple of
times a year.
Most of my stuff comes “pre-loved” from eBay or NZ’s equivalent, TradeMe, or is built from kits or
from my junkbox. The upside is that I can afford some decent stuff. The downside (or rather the
fun part) is waiting patiently for it to appear on the market, and maintaining it. To me, technical
construction and experimentation is an enjoyable part of the hobby.
Just out of shot are my soldering iron and tools, the control box for the remote antenna switch
and other “stuff”. There’s a pair of PRS (470MHz FM) walkie-talkies somewhere nearby - useful to
keep in touch with Deborah when I’m up the tower hoisting aerials or out in the paddock laying
radials. At last, I’ve found a use for microphones and ~70cms!
The kit’s all very nice but by far my most valued possession is a sense of hearing finely honed to
about 400-700Hz. I'd trade the rest of my station to keep that.
"I hear radio waves in my head ... radio waves, radio waves,
hopeful radio waves, dopeful radio waves, radio waves,
Russian radio waves, Prussian radio waves, Eastern radio
waves, Western radio waves, testing radio waves, one two,
one two, radio waves, getting through to you, Morse code
radio waves, tobacco road radio waves, South to Paloma radio
waves, Oklahoma City radio waves, sitting pretty radio waves,
nitty-gritty radio waves. Radio waves."
Roger Waters, Radio K.A.O.S.
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