A reference design is exactly that: a design that can be used as a reference for building your own. Not mandatory design, nor for that matter a suggested design. The amateur radio station components listed here will provide you with a working station. I am purchasing these too, so that my tutorial and demonstration videos will use the reference station.
I’ve been asked many times, “What HF rig should I buy.” I used to answer, “Well, it depends.” No more. Now I say, “Buy what’s in the reference station: an Icom IC-7300.” I will try in every case to make a recommendation for something you can purchase, and minimize the number of things you must build.
Your circumstances will be different from mine. Perhaps you already have a radio in your station, and don’t want to change. No problem! Adapt the reference station to your needs. Note that my own station has capabilities, like a hex beam, that won’t be in the reference design. But the reference design can be a useful guide as you build out your station from the ground up, or if you’re upgrading it.
Reference Station for Technician license
| Component | Requirement | Reference Station Design |
| Handheld Radio | 2m, 70cm, FM, digital Design | TBD,See video. |
| Mobile/Home Radio | 2m, 70cm, FM, digital, 25w or more | TBDSee Video |
| Mobile Antenna | 2m, 70cm, mag mount | |
| Home Coax | Short, acceptable loss | RG-8X with connectors. For longer runs, RG-213 or LMR-400 |
| Home Antenna | 2m, 70 cm, omni | |
Reference Station for General and Amateur Extra
| Component | Requirement | Reference Station Design |
| HF Radio | 160m to 6m, SSB, CW, Data, 100 watts | Icom IC-7300See Video |
| Power Supply | 13.8 vdc, 30 amps | Samlex SEC-1235M (will also power Tech home station)See Video |
| Coax Runs | With connex already attached, handle > 100w | RG-8X |
| RF Connectors | Common | UHF Connectors (PL-259, SO-239) |
| Power Distribution | 40 amps, at least 6 powerpole connectors | West Mountain Radio Rigrunner 4006U, see video |
| Power Connectors | Interchangeable, genderless | Anderson PowerPole, 15/30a. See video. |
| Antenna | At least 40 and 20m, resonant (no external tuner required) | MFJ-2010 OCFDSee Video |
| Grounding | Station Ground, bonded to Utility Ground | Home Depot or Lowes, 8-foot copper-coated steel |
| Lightning Surge | Recognized | Alpha Delta Model ATT3G50U (handles up to 200w) (corrected 23 Apr 2020)See Video |
| Bonding for Grounding | #6 bare copper wire, compression connectors | Home Depot, Lowes, etc. |
| CW Straight Key | Less expensive but well-built | cwmorse.us SKU 29-111-A (choose your favorite color)See Video |
| Digital Mode Software (PSK-31, RTTY, etc.) | Free | fldigi |
| Digital Mode Software (JT-modes such as FT8) | Free | WSJT-X |
| Logging Software | exchanges data with radio and with LOTW | TBD |