[CQ-Contest] Contesting from the basement

[Hal Offutt]

Hi,

As many have pointed out, there are some advantages to having your shack in
the basement.  But I used a basement shack for many years and I'm very happy
to have finally escaped.  I won't do it again if I can help it.  There were
two things that I really disliked:  cold feet and no view of the outside.  I
don't know if my place was unique, but after a few hours my feet would
really get cold, and this is not a nice thing to have during a 48-hour
contest.  I tried all sorts of things - special slippers, boots, thick sox,
heaters, raised platform, etc. but nothing completely solved the problem.
N2MG's idea of putting in a raised floor sounds like it would be worth the
trouble if you have enough overhead.

With respect to the view, you just don't realize how nice it is to be able
to look outside and see trees, grass, rain, sky, snow, autumn leaves, etc.
until you can't do it any longer.

Just a couple of things to think about.  Good luck with your project.

73,

Hal W1NN



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Idelson" <k1ir at designet.com>
To: "CQ-Contest Post" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2003 8:35 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Contesting from the basement


> We are about to have the basement remodeled. The contest shack will be
moved
> from the first floor to the basement. I am interested in how your basement
> contest shack is setup. What do you like? What don't you like?
>
> Here are a few questions I'm considering:
>   -  Are your walls sheetrock or just framed or even less?
>   -  How do you get your cables in from the outside - and how do you keep
them
> neat?
>   -  What do you use for operating position furniture?
>   -  What kind of floor covering should we install?
>   -  What kind of lighting should we use?
>   -  How many outlets do we really need [110 and 240]?
>   -  What about heat/AC?
>
> If this is interesting to you, and you'd like to look at the specifics,
please
> ask me for the floor plan and a shot of how the cables are coming in now.
>
> Please copy me and the reflector with your suggestions - I suspect there
is
> probably sufficient interest for people to want to read your replies!
>
> 73,
>
> Jim Idelson K1IR
> email    k1ir at designet.com
> web    http://www.designet.com/k1ir
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