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

Pictures

Connections

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.