AC4Q - Phillip L. 'Phil' Chartier AC4Q

Phillip L. 'Phil' Chartier
Simpsonville, SC

QCWA # 36263
Chapter 225

First licensed in 1963, my twin brother(N4IQ) and I got started as novices.Held a Conditional license, then upgraded to Advance after testing in Atlanta at the FCC offices. In 1978, passed the Extra test locally and was assigned one of the new type call signs, AC4Q. For a brief time while on active duty in the Navy, I was in Iceland and held the call TF2WLB. (1968 era.) I was a Radioman 1st Class while in the Navy. Retired from the Reserves in 1990 after 24 years.

I am active on 40 meters (and 40M mobile) primarily, but also operate the upper HF bands. I am particularly fond of the VHF/UHF bands and like to operate 6, 2 and 440 meters and the VHF/UHF contests. I enjoy camping in my Jayco 21 foot Kiwi RV and radioing at the same time. I use an Alpha-Delta tripod and an Outbacker Outreach vertical for that purpose. It is one great camping antenna that I use with my TS-50while RVing. I have a Ford F150 and use a FT900 while running mobile. The built-in tuner is a real plus in the FT900AT. I enjoy PSK31 while camping. I have recently installed a Yaesu FT-857D in my Kia Spectra 5 hatchback, with a Turbo Tuner and Little Tar Heel Screwdriver antenna. A very good combination.

At the home shack, I operate using a Kenwood TS-2000 on HF (mostly CW); I also operate on 2,6 and 440 also using the TS-2000. You can see the Drake set up in the lower picture. I have acquired two Drake TR7's that I use with my Drake L7 amp and my Drake L4B Amp. The bottom TR-7 uses the accessory phone patch P75, speech processor PS75 and the electronic keyer CW75. I use the Ameritron ATR-30 tuner with the L4B to run the legal limit with thelower TR7.The Drake L7 that I just completed refurbishing can be seen in the station photo and is used with the upper TR7. It is now operational and use with the matching Drake MN2700 tuner. The Drakes are terrific radios and operate them probably the most. I have a Drake R8A receiver that I use to transceive with using thelower TR7 and just listening. I have also acquired a Drake UV-3 UHF/VHF (2 mtr, 220, and 440 mHz) transceiver and is now a functional piece of the station. A mint condition TR-4Cw transceiver/ remote VFO RV-3 completes the set up, along withboth sets ofrefurbished Drake Twins, R4B/TX4B and the R4C/TX4C, plus a six meter TR-6 and matching remote VFO RV-6. The R4C receiver is fully loaded with all filters and an improved 8 pole roofing filter. It also has installed the optional noise blanker. The T-4XC has a PTO requency stabilizer installed in it; it maintaines a frequency stability of +/- 0.01 kHz. The R4C now also has thePTO stabilizer installed in it. Additional Drake gear includes the Drake B series Twins, T-4XB and the R-4B. The receiver also has the PTO stabilizer installed. Recently added is a a Drake 2B receiver and a Drake combo T4 Reciter transmitter and matching R4B receiver. The T4 doesnot have a built in PTO and relies on the R4B for frequenc control. Transceive only. The T4 is a rare piece of gear.

Antennas include a R7 vertical, MQ-2 Miniquad, two Carolina 80 meter Windoms for 80/40/15/20/15/10/60/18 meters (up 55 ft.),a B&W 80 and 40 trap dipole also up 55 ft, a Cush Craft Boomer on 440, and two stacked 7 element yagis on 2 meters .The Kenwood TS2000I also use with the L7 amp and on the digital modes. I use three MFJ remote switches to interconnect/select all antennas and transceivers/receivers. Thats about it.

Hope to hear you on the bands soon!.......73 Phil AC4Q

November 9, 2014