This picture web site acts somewhat as a before and after record of my restoration efforts to get my Ham Shack up and running again after it was wacked by a falling tree during hurricane Katrina. Originally this was a basic two story play house built by the previous owner for his kids. The upper and lower rooms were originally plain stud wall enclosed. Now the big kid here has added the little window a/c, then, with the help of a local handyman, insulated the walls and ceiling and paneled them in 1/4 cedar boards (to keep bugs away).

Much of the equipment and gadgets shown in the photos was in storage for years, and some of it went under water as a result of flooding from Hurricane Isadore. This happened when we lived in a camp style structure on a barrier Island separating Lake Catherine from Lake Borgne in South Louisiana. That structure was also totally destroyed by hurricane Katrina five months after we moved. This island was 25 miles SE of the city of New Orleans. I am now slowly repairing and rebuilding much of what can still be salvaged.

To quickly get on the air, I purchased an inexpensive 2 meter FT-2800 transceiver and fashioned a quick simple dipole from an old telescoping pair of TV rabbit ears. That was easy and it worked ok, however I wanted something with a bit more gain. Following these J-Pole Instructions from Terry Bajuk, KS5Z, I build my first real antenna in years. The total cost of material for the J-Pole was an amazingly low $12.77. The angle of the J-Pole photo makes it look a lot longer than it actually is. The J-Pole is held up on a 10 foot length of 1.25 inch PVC which was slipped over a 3 foot length of standard 1/2 water pipe hammered 1 foot into the ground, essentially resulting in a self supporting vertical.

Cheap plastic cabinets with drawers ($9@) from WalMart made storing and organizing my junk a bit easier. The wall shelving (recently installed) was from one of my early businesses and always moved with me from place to place as we relocated. It was very easy to put up and take down.

A photo of interest is my original Amateur Radio License issued in 1956 when I was 13+ years old. My how time flys when you are having fun!

I plan to add to this site as things progress! Stay tuned :)