Radio AI7R

Updated: July 20th, 2026

If you look at my three basic station locations, you’ll learn that I don’t understand the phrase “too many radios”. My pride and joy are my Drake radios. I have five complete Drake stations, functional and in beautiful shape. The modern gear is nice too of course.

The collection is changing often. This is my main station at Bonita Creek in the Tonto National forest at 6k feet. The Icon 7760 at 200 watts is the usual station. I use the Mercury every once in a while, but using more than 200 watts often gets responses from people I can’t hear well.

The antenna is a Steppir DB18 three element beam. And yes, I have a LOT of spare parts to help keep it operational as long as possible since they got out of the ham market.

My primary station at the Chandler QTH. Actually, this is an old image with an Elecraft K4 that now lives in Maine as part of a contest station. It was replaced with a 7610 so that all of my main radios are Icom, so, as I get older, I have less to remember from one station to the next. I also have a 7300, 9700, and the 705.

I have done a few commercial projects over the years. My work partner (Charlie, AD7MD) and I designed and built the CCD antennas. Different designs from those found in 73 mag in ’87. Very nice antennas with some unique properties. 291 of them officially found air time.

My current semi-passion is the remote operation of my radios up here in the forest, where the noise levels are fairly quiet. Typically S2-3 on 40 and maybe S5 on 80 at night. I have various Youtube videos on that subject and others.

Speaking of remote control, I just added a prototype of a coax disconnect that puts a nice gap between the antenna and radio. Lots of changes in mind, but the general concept works and is in operation. Check out the Youtube video on it. The plan is to make a commercial version for sale once it is refined and 3D printer parts designed.

And a popular item is the remote control keyer that allows the users to use paddles to send code from their phone or computer from remote. I stopped making these as better solutions came out.

And this is the Bonita Creek station. The FT-1K has moved to Chandler and the Drake gear will move into the hole. The Flex 6400M is a primary radio up (actually, it was replaced with a 7610 and then the 7760) there with the 7300 and 9700 as nice play things. The 7300 is set up to be remotely controlled as well as a new ability to actually disconnect the antennas remotely. The Drake gear are dreams I’ve wanted to own for a while. Beautiful history. Smells nice too.

I installed a 900 Mhz repeater on 927.2625. Read all about it.

Enjoy touring around the website and feel free to message me if you have questions.

Dave, AI7R and wife Linda, NI7Y

And the always fun Drake 4C line. The Heath station is ready for restoration.

And this shot that my wife, NI7Y, grabbed that makes my beam and tower look massive. Well, it IS, but this goes over the top.

This is my new VHQ HEX beam. I had a smaller one up and it broke at the mount. So, tossed money at the best one out there and I’m glad I did. It’s built like a tank. It works very well. I have a 6BTV for 40 meters. (I’m only 73, so I’m not old enough for 75). I had a noise floor on the vertical of S9+ on 40. I took a chance and bought some 213 and now the floor is S3. Shielding is very important. Oh, and the HEX has LMR 400 going to it. That’s my antenna for Chandler for the duration for me I think.

That white ribbon you so hanging on it shows me at a glance what direction it’s pointed.