Hi Tom,

I have a Kenwood TS2000 and an Icom IC706 mark 2 sitting next to each other
and they are connected to an antenna switch so that one or the other can be
connected to my low band antenna, only one at a time.  I have a 144/440
antenna hooked directly up to the ts2000 and I've had no problems.  The
problem that I see, however, is having two HF rigs on the same antenna
system.  Even if they are using different antennas, the antennas would
probably be coupled too closely together and cause receiver damage on the
other transceiver.
You would have to make sure that your antennas had adequate isolation so
that you wouldn't fry the front ends of the receivers.

Bob Tinney, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
Sure you can trust the government!  Just ask an Indian!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 23, 2002 7:53 PM
Subject: ham shack design question


Hi, all.

This may be a stupid question, so when you read it, just be nice, and try to
answer it as best as you can.  Remember:  It is the Christmas season!  HI!
HI!  HI!

Anyway, here's the deal:

My son, who is also a ham, is helping me re-design my basement ham shack
here at the house.  I want to have the capability of running two HF rigs
simultaneously for either contesting, or emergency net work.  My main rig is
an Icom 746.  It draws about 18 amps on full power, and is most likely the
rig I would be transmitting with.  The other rig is an Icom 718, which draws
about 3 amps on receive, and is the rig I would listen to other frequencies
with.  I would like to run both rigs off the same power supply, which is an
Astron RS35 supply, and the same antenna system if possible.  My antenna
system consists of four HF antennas (used for different bands, of course),
and a six-position antenna switch that I use to switch antennas as needed.

Can I do this safely?  Can I transmit with the 746, and not cause damage to
the 718 with this set-up?  Can I have the rigs located next to each other,
or should I separate them by a considerable distance?  If so, how much?

By the way, I should add that both rigs will be connected to a common RF
ground.

Any suggestions here would be appreciated.  I hope this isn't too stupid of
a question, but I have never had two HF rigs to work with before, and I want
to be safe, rather than sorry.

Thanks much, and merry Christmas.

Best 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ