Well, after 20 years or so of M/M operation it was about time to finish the shack. I had the windows replaced in the whole house a few years ago, and when I did that I also replaced the old thin paneling with drywall and new paneling. I had never done the shack though. So now it was about time. The drop ceiling was getting ratty from all the cable changes over the years also, and the carpet was starting to fray.
Demolition Day 1... Remove drop ceiling. This is one time I will break out the dust masks, gloves, and goggles. I hate this stuff. Hopefully I can find something that is nicer to work with than this 20 year old rock wool type of panels. Besides the frayed edges there were 20 years worth of dust and mouse droppings on top of most of them.
Note in the above photo, not only the unsecured wiring that was above the drop ceiling, but also how narrow the opening between the rooms is... that will change shortly.
Now where is that box of wire staples???
Starting to strip the walls. Note the remove control ShackCam on the corner of the station table. I finally added the coffee pot circuit to the last open slot in the breaker box.
The first new wall.
The back of the SO2R station table. This could probably use some cleaning up while I'm at it.
Meahwhile, back at the ranch...
W1EQO has started the latest episode of the Peru Chainsaw Massacre to make room for the new 80m 4-square project... and also to stock up on firewood for next winter.
Well, Phase 1 completed! Of course I don't really know how many phases there might be for this project. but half of the room has new walls and has the carpet and drop ceiling removed. The tables on the left are not all the way back against the wall yet so I can get behind them to sort out wires. Notice how much wider the opening is between the rooms now. It makes it feel so much more open between the halves of the room now.
The main wire entrance.
The wire raceway to the other half of the shack.
Where did all the stuff go? Well, lets just say that I am not open for over night visitors unless they like the couches.
The other bunk room.
Phase 2 done! I guess. Thanks to some help from W1TO and W1EQO all the panelling is in place now. Just a few trim pieces to do and outlet covers to finish up and the walls will be basically done.
Meanwhile, a nice Sunday morning and some help from W1TO got the bottom 40m4LLDD mounted on the new ring rotor. It turns, but right now there aren't any radios connected to it. And only 2 weeks before NEQP!!
On to Part-2... (later)