After talking with David, N4TS, on amateur radio for over a year and a half, I traveled up to his home in Rabun County for an introduction into mobile HF operation and to see his amateur radio base station and repeater site.
By the time I departed I felt a reinvigoration for HF operation because of David's demonstration of HF operation in an environment away from sources of radio interference.
A view of downtown Clayton from Black Rock
A lady I spoke with who has bumper stickers on her car advertising Athens Radio Station WDRW-LP 107.9FM.
North Georgia Mountains
The Black Rock N4TS 2-meter repeater is on the right side of the tower. 147.120MHz (+) (pl 67.0Hz)
David Gottschalk standing next to the building that houses the repeater.
The W4WCR 70-cm repeater antenna is on the right. 443.150MHz (+) (pl 127.3Hz)
Visitor Center
David's Elecraft KX2 Amateur Radio HF Transceiver. We set up a portable antenna and used this tiny 12-watt radio. The batteries are actually inside the radio's chassis.
We set up in an unused parking area close to the entrance of Black Rock State Park. This area is far enough from the tourist area of the mountain that we were able to operate undisturbed the entire time we were on site.
The logo of the miniature camp table we used. I am going to buy one of these for sure.
Elecraft KX2 Transceiver
Paul Francis, KG4HCX. David Gottschalk, N4TS
David's shack
I will admit that even as an amateur operator of over 20 years, I need a refresher on how some of this equipment works.
A closeup of the Yaesu G-450A rotor dial.
Display of the Kenwood TS-2000. This is David's first HF rig. He subsequently upgraded to Elecraft equipment becuase of it's improved receive sensitivity.