W7JSC
J. Steven Cochrane
Extra Class
Ham Since 1978
United States

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Information

Other Callsigns
KA7AWS 1978 to 1987
WA7H 1987 to 2005

My Ham Radio Interests
One of the great things about ham radio is the multitude of interesting things that a person can do within the hobby. My interests include HF, VHF, UHF, voice, digital and satellite modes. I like to try as many aspects of ham radio that I can within my budget. I enjoy rag chewing, checking into nets, emergency communications, working on my boat anchors, building antennas, and attending hamfests. I’m also a past ARRL Section Manager and Section Emergency Coordinator for the state of Wyoming. I’m a member of the Air Force Military Affiliate Radio System (AF MARS) and hold the positions of: Wyoming and Montana State MARS Director (AFF8WY/AFF8MT), Region 8 Emergency Communications Coordinator (AFF8EC) and the Northwest Area Emergency Communications Coordinator (AFE8EC). I am also a member of the US Department of Homeland Security, National Communications System (NCS) SHARES Program (Shared HF Resources).

Equipment
As you can see in the pictures I have quite a few pieces of equipment. I will list them starting at the primary operating position and work my way left around the console.
I have four home built computers (one is a spare) that run the station. The first one is a dual Pentium III that runs the Kenwood TS-B2000 and satellite tracking software on two monitors. The next computer is a Pentium 4 that runs the SCS PTC-IIusb Pactor Controller and the MFJ-1278B Data Controller and also has two monitors. The third computer is a Pentium 4 that runs the Ten-Tec Pegasus and the Kam XL Multi-mode controller and is hooked to a Rigblaster Plus sound card interface and uses a touch screen monitor built into the console. Above the touch screen is a Yaesu G-5500 Elevation-Azimuth rotor control, the SCS PTC-IIusb Pactor Controller, MFJ-1278B, Kam XL and a Kenwood TR-9130 all mode 2 meter transceiver. The next section of the console to the left is the Kenwood TS-B2000 and an Ameritron AL84 Amplifier. The next section contains a Yaesu FT-757GXII, FC-757AT, FP-757HD and an FT-8500 dual band transceiver. The corner section contains a Dentron 160-10 AT Transmatch, Yaesu G-800SA rotor control, MFJ 815B watt meter and the antenna and radio switching matrix. To the left of the corner section is a Drake TR7 and MN7, and the next section also has a TR7 with an MN75. The next section has a Drake T-4X transmitter and R-4A receiver and to the left of that is a Hallicrafters FPM-300 Transceiver and speaker. The far corner of the console contains a Collins KWM-2A transceiver, 30L-1 amplifier and a 312B4 station control. At the far end of the console is a Hallicrafters HT-46 transmitter and a SX-146 receiver and an R-50 speaker. On top of the console from right to left is a Knight Space Spanner regenerative receiver just like the one I got for my 10th birthday in 1957, the radio that started it all for me. To the left of that is a Hallicrafters R-46B speaker that is hooked to the SX-101 on the top of the corner console. Then to the left of that is my other Collins KWM-2A, 312B-4 and 30L-1. Over the far corner of the console is a Hammarlund SP-600 JX-17 and Hammarlund speaker. I also have a Yaesu Ft-857 in my motor home and an Icom IC-706 mkIIg in my SUV. I have a few other radios that either need work or are not hooked up yet including a Collins 30S-1 Amplifier.

Other Interests
I retired from the US Air Force in 1990 as a Chief Master Sergeant after serving twenty-five years on active duty. I retired again this past February from the US Department of Homeland Security/FEMA Region VIII. I plan to travel around the country with my wife in our new motor home and attend as many ham conventions and swap meets as possible. I also enjoy deer and elk hunting, fishing, astronomy and weight lifting.

Clubs
I am a life member of the ARRL and QCWA. I’m also a member of AMSAT, the Collins Collectors Association (CCA), and I’m the President of the Shy-Wy Radio Club in Cheyenne Wyoming.