K7CAX - Max Hernandez



          Max became a silent key on January 8, 2020      


Phoenix, AZ

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The AM operating position at K7CAX.  Left to right are: a Johnson Viking Valiant, an R-390F receiver, a Dentron MT-3000A antenna tuner, and a Johnson Viking 500 , plus a Heathkit HO-10 monitor scope and a Heathkit counter.

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Close-up of the Viking 500.  This is just the RF part; there is an equally large box on the floor containing the power supply and modulator.  Tube lineup is a 4-400A modulated by a pair of 811A's for 300+ watts carrier output power on 80-10 meters.

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The R-390F.  The 'F' suffix attests to the extensive modifications performed by Chuck Felton, KD0ZS, on this  receiver to bring it up to 21st-Century state-of-the-art.


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The Viking Valiant provides 160-meter AM  capability for K7CAX and serves as a backup transmitter for the Viking 500.  Three 6146's in the final, modulated by a pair of the same, give 150+ watts of carrier power. 


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Max, K7CAX, at the AM operating position with D-104 mike in hand.  A comfortable chair is a necessity for AM "old buzzard" QSO's.

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2-meter AM capability is currently provided by this Kenwood TS-700 all-mode transceiver with about 5 watts of carrier output.  The TV monitors the Fox Network for broken news.

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Vintage VHF AM operation will soon be realized with this Ameco 6/2-meter transmitter, VFO and nuvistor converter (back-ended by the Kenwood general-coverage receiver).  SSB gear is in rack at right.

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HF SSB is handled by an Icom IC-718 driving an Amp Supply LK-450 amplifier and a Vectronics HFI-1500 antenna tuner.  Also in the rack is the station coax patch panel, a fine, old Bulova chronometer, another Kenwood TS-700 and a Heath power meter.

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All 'real' hamshacks have a wall of QSL cards and K7CAX is no exception.  These cover Max's operation from novice days through present-day DX. 

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A key ingredient of the big K7CAX signal on the lower bands is a conveniently placed 70 ft. palm tree for dipole support.

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Another tall palm tree provides support for an Alpha-Delta DX-LB multi-band dipole for 160-meter operation.

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Ready to go for Field Day, or just to provide a convenient, backyard skyhook, this trailer-mounted push-up tower and equipment enclosure was acquired for a modest sum a few hamfests ago.

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