W2SZ - Equipment and Shack Information

W2SZ is one of the best equipped college amateur radio clubs in the Country. Zed has the equipment and its members the know-how to participate in almost every variety of amateur radio activity available. Three operating rooms, 4+ antenna towers, a workshop, and a lounge allow Zed members to work on any facet of amateur radio they desire.

Three complete HF stations allow worldwide voice and CW communications with Kenwood TS-850/Icom IC-746 radios and 1500W power amplifiers. All modes of operation are possible on all bands from 160 through 10 meters in Main Op. Dipoles for 160, 80, and 40 meters on several levels provide about 3000 watts EIRP in addition to a OptiBeam 11-3 10M/15M/20M yagi and XM240 yagi for 40M. For Second Op, a 4 element triband yagi is available, providing at least 20000 watts EIRP on 10, 15, and 20 meters plus 80M & 40M dipoles.

The VHF/UHF station contains 2 meter and 70cm all-mode radios, as well as an Icom IC-821H VHF/UHF all mode transceiver for both satellite and weak-signal work. Power amplifiers, a DSP modem, satellite tracking interface, and a 2.7Ghz PC are used to work amateur satellites of all kinds. Outside, 2 meter and 70cm crossed-yagi antennas are mounted on an Yaesu G-5500 azimuth/ elevation rotor to point anywhere on the horizon or the sky. Omnidirectional vertical antennas will soon be available for local contacts.

W2SZ operates 3 repeaters, 146.82(-), 224.42(-), & 443.00(+) for use by student amateurs and community members. The repeaters have excellent coverage due to its moderate power output and antennas high on the 120' tower. It facilitates simple, local communication between hams with handheld and mobile transceivers on 2 meters, 1.25 meters, and 70cm.

Maintained by Dave Page, KD3NC, is an amateur television (ATV) transmitter also located on the 120' tower. The ATV transmitter rebroadcasts NASA Select Television during space shuttle missions and can be received all over campus with a cable ready TV and a simple wire antenna.

Projects involving antenna repair and construction, high-speed microwave data transmission, computer networking, laser communications, and many other advanced fields are going on continuously in the workshop at W2SZ. Students and community members alike are encouraged to get involved and become members.

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