Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Last week we toured the antenna field - today we go inside the shack. This station has gradually evolved into a fully remote-capable multi-2 HF contest and DX station designed around flexibility, redundancy and experimentation.
In this video I walk through the overall philosophy of the build and show how the entire system works together, including:
* TS-990 operating positions
* Multi-2 contest infrastructure
* Remote mains switching using Shelly relays
* Antenna Genius coax switching
* Rotator Genius control
* Automatic band-pass filtering
* ACOM 2000 remote startup
* ACOM Director
* RUSTDESK RDP
* RF isolation between stations
* Coax entry and field routing
* Shack networking
* Remote desktop operation
* Audio routing and monitoring
* Behringer XR18 integration
* Power distribution
* Logging Software (N1MM and QSO Director)
* Monitoring cameras
* Future station expansion
The goal was never to build a “perfect” shack - only a practical one that keeps evolving as new ideas appear. One of the most interesting parts of this project has been solving all the little engineering problems that appear when you place multiple HF stations close together:
* RF getting into equipment
* antenna lockouts
* relay sequencing
* remote safety
* grounding
* filtering
* interference management
* station redundancy
It’s still a work in progress, but hopefully this gives you some ideas for your own shack - whether you’re building a small home station or a fully remote HF setup.
Main Equipment Featured:
- Kenwood TS-990
- ACOM 2000A
- ACOM Director
- Antenna Genius
- Rotator Genius
- Behringer XR18
- Shelly relays
- N1MM
- QSO Director (coming soon)
73,
Callum M0MCX
DX Commander
Last week we toured the antenna field - today we go inside the shack. This station has gradually evolved into a fully remote-capable multi-2 HF contest and DX station designed around flexibility, redundancy and experimentation.
In this video I walk through the overall philosophy of the build and show how the entire system works together, including:
* TS-990 operating positions
* Multi-2 contest infrastructure
* Remote mains switching using Shelly relays
* Antenna Genius coax switching
* Rotator Genius control
* Automatic band-pass filtering
* ACOM 2000 remote startup
* ACOM Director
* RUSTDESK RDP
* RF isolation between stations
* Coax entry and field routing
* Shack networking
* Remote desktop operation
* Audio routing and monitoring
* Behringer XR18 integration
* Power distribution
* Logging Software (N1MM and QSO Director)
* Monitoring cameras
* Future station expansion
The goal was never to build a “perfect” shack - only a practical one that keeps evolving as new ideas appear. One of the most interesting parts of this project has been solving all the little engineering problems that appear when you place multiple HF stations close together:
* RF getting into equipment
* antenna lockouts
* relay sequencing
* remote safety
* grounding
* filtering
* interference management
* station redundancy
It’s still a work in progress, but hopefully this gives you some ideas for your own shack - whether you’re building a small home station or a fully remote HF setup.
Main Equipment Featured:
- Kenwood TS-990
- ACOM 2000A
- ACOM Director
- Antenna Genius
- Rotator Genius
- Behringer XR18
- Shelly relays
- N1MM
- QSO Director (coming soon)
73,
Callum M0MCX
DX Commander

![Drama with the Dead-Man Tower / Anchor Upgrades
Important engineering upgrades in the antenna field - improving the foundations for the new lightweight tower, installing a Dead-Man anchor for the electric winch, and grounding the tower to the radial network.
The day starts with a look at the original winch post and the maths behind its load capacity. Although the first anchor could handle around 200 kg, the mechanical advantage of the increased height on the falling-derrick (not a “gin pole”!) introduced additional torque and stress. The solution? An engineered Dead-Man anchor buried crosswise - the same principle used in bridge and harbour design.
We pour, cure, and backfill the new anchor, review older ones, and make key decisions about reinforcement and concrete volume. Then its on to grounding: bonding the radial field directly to the tower base and cabinet using copper strap and self-amalgamating tape for long-term corrosion resistance.
Along the way, we cover:
➡️ Calculating load and fulcrum points on a small tower system
➡️ Practical tips for mixing and pouring small-batch concrete outdoors
➡️ Grounding and bonding strategy for multi-antenna installations
➡️ Managing radials around automated mowers
➡️ Handling real-world compromises when parts or materials are missing
Also featuring: spontaneous design decisions, visits from Junior and Django, drill bit snapping mid-hole!
By the end of the day, all anchors are upgraded, the tower base is bonded, and we’re ready for the next phase - raising the lightweight tower in time for CQ Worldwide.
0:00 – Intro & plan of attack
0:45 – Why the old anchor wasn’t enough
2:00 – Mixing and pouring the new concrete
6:00 – Upgrading existing anchors (and some decisions!)
8:00 – Explaining the Dead-Man concept
10:00 – Improvised engineering & “Callum moments”
13:30 – Dogs arrive on site
16:00 – Drilling, bending & building the Dead-Man anchor
20:00 – Grounding the tower and radials
23:00 – Review & next-phase tower talk
📡 More DX Commander builds:
➡️ [Signature 12.4 Setup and Test]
➡️ [40 m 4-Square Explained]
➡️ [Remote Station Build Series] Drama with the Dead-Man Tower / Anchor Upgrades](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eJWCe6fPe6Y/mqdefault.jpg)








