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Station setup

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dennis rosenbalm

Station setup

I too am beginning to build a new operating desk for use with a K line and several other radios. Woodworking is my other hobby so the desk will be a rather involved and lengthy project. Solid woods from one inch to three inch thickness will insure strength throughout. The main desktop will be 29 inches from the floor, a standard dimension. The top will be 60 inches wide by 30 inches deep. A two shelve hutch set back 10 inches from the desktop front will be separated 10 inches apart with open backs and partially closed sides. A thin (2 inch) center drawer below the desktop on the front apron will be 20 inches wide to contain log books, pencils and such. The main dimension is the table top. I want it large enough to hold two transceivers plus cw paddles comfortably with amplifiers located above each on the first hutch shelf. Additional receivers will also fit on the first shelf making them an easy reach from the chair in the center of the desk. The desk will be a straight front
design, no wrap around curve. I have found through years of experience that building in as much room as possible is the way to go. This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut, will need good illumination. Should be a fun project.

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Al Gulseth-2

Re: Station setup

I want to see some pics of this when it's finished.

Ever thought of going into the furniture manufacturing business? (Anyone else
here remember the Design Industries "furniture-styled communications console"
and "'wife-approved' communications desk" from back in the 1960s?)

73, Al

On Wed September 16 2015 9:50:58 am Dennis wrote:

> I too am beginning to build a new operating desk for use with a K line and
> several other radios. Woodworking is my other hobby so the desk will be a
> rather involved and lengthy project. Solid woods from one inch to three
> inch thickness will insure strength throughout. The main desktop will be 29
> inches from the floor, a standard dimension. The top will be 60 inches wide
> by 30 inches deep. A two shelve hutch set back 10 inches from the desktop
> front will be separated 10 inches apart with open backs and partially
> closed sides. A thin (2 inch) center drawer below the desktop on the front
> apron will be 20 inches wide to contain log books, pencils and such. The
> main dimension is the table top. I want it large enough to hold two
> transceivers plus cw paddles comfortably with amplifiers located above each
> on the first hutch shelf. Additional receivers will also fit on the first
> shelf making them an easy reach from the chair in the center of the desk.
> The desk will be a straight front design, no wrap around curve. I have
> found through years of experience that building in as much room as possible
> is the way to go. This desk will go in a room corner tight against the
> walls with a window to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black
> walnut, will need good illumination. Should be a fun project.
>
>
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'DGB'

Re: Station setup

In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm

If you have the room, leave at least 2' behind the desk ... remember all
the wires you'll have behind that equipment!

See K9CT'S website for good reference.

Have fun ... 73 Dwight NS9I

This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window
to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut, will need
good illumination.

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George Dubovsky

Re: Station setup

When I was faced with the need for more room - and access - I went
"mobile". Here is the description of my current operating desk in the
October 2013 issue of the PVRC newsletter:

http://pvrc.org/Newsletters/oct13.pdf

I'm a metalworker more than a woodworker... ;-)

73,

geo - n4ua

On Wed, Sep 16, 2015 at 11:51 AM, DGB <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If you have the room, leave at least 2' behind the desk ... remember all
> the wires you'll have behind that equipment!
>
> See K9CT'S website for good reference.
>
> Have fun ... 73 Dwight NS9I
>
>
>
> This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window
> to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut, will need good
> illumination.
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: Station setup

In reply to this post by 'DGB'

If you cannot leave room behind the desk and you are designing the desk,
consider putting the desk pedestals on appliance rollers so you can pull
the desk away from the wall to service the back of the equipment.
That is how mine will be if I ever get it finished.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 9/16/2015 11:51 AM, DGB wrote:

> If you have the room, leave at least 2' behind the desk ... remember
> all the wires you'll have behind that equipment!
>
> See K9CT'S website for good reference.
>
> Have fun ... 73 Dwight NS9I
>
>
>
> This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a
> window to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut,
> will need good illumination.

Jim Brown-10

Re: Station setup

In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm

On Wed,9/16/2015 7:50 AM, Dennis wrote:
> This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window to the left of this location.

Make sure that it moves, so that you can get behind it to hook up gear.
If you can't get behind it, hookups are a PITA, and wiring can quickly
become a mess. It also makes it difficult to reconfigure your station.
Ask me how I know. :)

Also make sure that you have easy cable paths between levels, and
between the desk and antenna entry, and for power.

73, Jim K9YC
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Mike Reublin NF4L

Re: Station setup

Unless there's a real space issue, forego the wheels ans just put the desk a couple of feet from the wall. KISS
8-{o}.....

73, Mike NF4L

> On Sep 16, 2015, at 1:15 PM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> On Wed,9/16/2015 7:50 AM, Dennis wrote:
>> This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window to the left of this location.
>
> Make sure that it moves, so that you can get behind it to hook up gear. If you can't get behind it, hookups are a PITA, and wiring can quickly become a mess. It also makes it difficult to reconfigure your station. Ask me how I know. :)
>
> Also make sure that you have easy cable paths between levels, and between the desk and antenna entry, and for power.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
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Jim Hooper

Re: Station setup

In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm

Dennis,

My desktop height is 27”, a couple of inches lower than standard. It is an L-shaped Ikea work table, 30" x 60” for the main top, with some height adjustability.

Personally, I find that the lower table top height helps me when typing, particularly, which I do all the time with my logging programs. And maybe it is better, too, for CW keying, though I am a CW neophyte. Ergonomic guidelines are available in many spots on the web, and I wanted to be comfortable. My everyday computer and my radio are on the same desk, so I spend a lot of time there.

But you referenced a drawer for “log books and pencils” … so you likely hand-write into your log. Then 29” top height would be better.

And yes, I second other’s thoughts about positioning the table for access from the rear. I moved my table about 18 inches out from the wall and I appreciate the improved access just about every day if not at least once a week.

Your project sounds like you will be creating a work of art.

73,
Hoop
K9QJS
San Juan Island, WA

On Sep 16, 2015, at 7:50 , Dennis <[hidden email]> wrote:

I too am beginning to build a new operating desk for use with a K line and several other radios. Woodworking is my other hobby so the desk will be a rather involved and lengthy project. Solid woods from one inch to three inch thickness will insure strength throughout. The main desktop will be 29 inches from the floor, a standard dimension. The top will be 60 inches wide by 30 inches deep. A two shelve hutch set back 10 inches from the desktop front will be separated 10 inches apart with open backs and partially closed sides. A thin (2 inch) center drawer below the desktop on the front apron will be 20 inches wide to contain log books, pencils and such. The main dimension is the table top. I want it large enough to hold two transceivers plus cw paddles comfortably with amplifiers located above each on the first hutch shelf. Additional receivers will also fit on the first shelf making them an easy reach from the chair in the center of the desk. The desk will be a straight front
design, no wrap around curve. I have found through years of experience that building in as much room as possible is the way to go. This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut, will need good illumination. Should be a fun project.

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Jim Low man

Re: Station setup

In reply to this post by dennis rosenbalm

I wish I had the woodworking skills that some of you have.

Truth be known, I barely squeaked a "C" in woodshop class in 7th grade.

73 de Jim - AD6CW

On 9/16/2015 7:50 AM, Dennis wrote:
> I too am beginning to build a new operating desk for use with a K line and several other radios. Woodworking is my other hobby so the desk will be a rather involved and lengthy project. Solid woods from one inch to three inch thickness will insure strength throughout. The main desktop will be 29 inches from the floor, a standard dimension. The top will be 60 inches wide by 30 inches deep. A two shelve hutch set back 10 inches from the desktop front will be separated 10 inches apart with open backs and partially closed sides. A thin (2 inch) center drawer below the desktop on the front apron will be 20 inches wide to contain log books, pencils and such. The main dimension is the table top. I want it large enough to hold two transceivers plus cw paddles comfortably with amplifiers located above each on the first hutch shelf. Additional receivers will also fit on the first shelf making them an easy reach from the chair in the center of the desk. The desk will be a straight fro
nt
> design, no wrap around curve. I have found through years of experience that building in as much room as possible is the way to go. This desk will go in a room corner tight against the walls with a window to the left of this location. A dark desk top, black walnut, will need good illumination. Should be a fun project.
>

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