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WD8DAS

10/26/2014

7 Comments

 

Episode 014 - Steve Johnston - WD8DAS

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Like many of us who became hams as kids, the hobby defined us and our future.  So too is this the case with Steve Johnston, WD8DAS, whose amateur radio journey led him into a career in radio broadcasting. Steve's ham radio life covers the broad spectrum of ham radio interests that include operating different modes, experimenting with the 630 meter band under special license, collecting military radio hardware, restoring old gear to almost new condition, and just plain home brewing.  Steve says that he has been defined by ham radio through the friendship of hams from all over the World, the experience of building, and the facing different challenges in both the operation and construction of gear.  Join Eric, 4Z1UG, in his QSO Today with WD8DAS.

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Listen to Podcast
First License: WD8DAS, Age 12

First Rig: Galaxy 300 Transceiver

Elmers: Peers and Friends who started at the same time

Links: 
WD8DAS Website

Steve sponsors his own hamfests as a way to turn over his equipment. Here is an example of a hamfest advertisement that Steve created. 

Hamfests and Ebay are the best sources of military radios and equipment

Chinese Military Receiver - a new, tube type general coverage receiver.

630 Meter Experimental Station -  inverted "L" antenna on a city lot

Advice: separate your operating position from your work bench.  Steve has his ham shack operating positions, his test equipment and soldering bench, and his rough work area for painting, drilling, punching, etc. 

Don't put your operating desk against the wall. Leave enough room to get behind the desk to keep the wiring neat.  Click Here

CW Key Collection

Organizations:
The Military Vehicle Preservation Association 
The Martime Radio Historical Society 
Vintage SSB Net 
Home Brewers Association
The American Radio Relay League 
The Society of Broadcast Engineers 

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Two Restored Gates BC1T AM Transmitters, 160 and 80 meters
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Galaxy 300 HF Transceiver
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Dual 807 HF Transmitter
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Two Tube Tuna Can HF Transmitter
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Kitano "_Piano Key" CW Key
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WD8DAS AM Operating Position
7 Comments
Israel (Izzy) Lavee 4X1UF
10/28/2014 07:43:35 pm

Ham since the age of 12, licensed since 1964 (one is not related to the other hi...)
loved (in the past) to build, especially miniaturized equipment (a CW transmitter in the size of a matchbox, INCLUDING the key), a DSB transceiver for 40 meters in the size of a cigarette pack etc.
Used (when i was bachelor) to operate all bands with mono banders, but nowadays with all the radiation panics and regulations using only vertical and wire antennas

Reply
Steve WD8DAS
10/29/2014 09:46:16 am

Izzy - cool projects! I still use wire antennas almost exclusively. I am not comfortable climbing towers so I tend to put antennas on the roof of the house, or suspend them between trees. Steve

Reply
Marlin, WJ9Y
10/29/2014 12:34:33 pm

Your interview with Steve, WD8DAS was extremely interesting and I enjoyed it very much. I look forward to hearing other interviews in the future.

Reply
Eric, 4Z1UG
10/29/2014 05:15:39 pm

Thanks, Marlin. I appreciate your feedback and glad your listening. 73 - Eric

Reply
MidwestQRPHomebrew
10/2/2015 02:41:23 pm

Great interview of a great ham! Love the shows that encourage homebrewing. Just wanted to update with a link I saw today about 630 Meters use. I think it may be relevant to the discussion in this episode: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/arrl-reiterates-call-for-fcc-to-allocate-630-meters-okay-rules-for-2200-meters

Thanks for taking time to share, Steve. As a new & young ham/homebrewer, without an elmer or other local ham's that I talk with, I learn a lot when people like WD8DAS share with the community online. Thanks to you as well, Eric, for conducting the interview.

Reply
Orlando
7/20/2017 10:12:36 pm

I have a galaxy 300 in a real good shape but I cant test it cause I dont have the cables. I have the original mic, original morse code key and original power supply. I'm missing the power supply cable and the power supply transceiver cable. Does anyone knows where can I find them? Or does anyone wants to buy it?

Reply
Bill Ruck
8/16/2020 02:01:30 pm

Steve J is an old Susquehanna Radio buddy. I was with him when he visited KPH a few years ago. A real True Believer, as we say in the Maritime Radio Historical Society.

Bill Ruck
Maintenance
MRHS -- KPH

Reply



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