- Message Handling Center - is the main space and open to the public for tours
- FACCON 1 - (Facilities Control 1) where the ships radio receivers and switchboard panels are located
- FACCON 2 - (Facilities Control 2 ) which was the 1980s Cryptology Room when the ship was active.
| BNJARS radio station is located in FACCON 2. When we arrived on the ship in January 2001 this room had been cleared of all equipment and seemed the best place to put the NJ2BB station. In May 2001, with the permission of the HPA (Home Port Alliance) who manages the ship as a museum, we set up 1 station in FACCON-2 just in time to celebrate the ship's 58th Anniversay of its commissioning. We were privileged to have one of the original 1943 radiomen, Bob Westcott W2MAS, on board to make the very first transmission from the ship using the call sign NJ2BB. It was a thrill for all of us to listen to that first contact. |
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| Since that
first contact, the shack has grown from one station to several, covering
many aspects of the hobby.
HAM-1 - Located in the center of the publicly accessible Message Handling Center (Comm Center) this operating position is not assigned any permanent equipment. It is used for special operating events where the public can view and hear the station as they take a tour of the Comm Center. |
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| HAM-2 - Located
in the former cryptology room (FACCON 2) this is our most active position.
Using a Kenwood TS-440 HF transceiver, Heathkit SB-200 linear and an antenna
matchbox, HAM-2 is used for CW, SSB and any of the digital modes. PSK is
the "mode of the day" during weekdays.
>>>>>>>>> HAM-3 - The third of our operating positions is situated next to the HAM-2 position in FACCON 2. Currently a loaner Kenwood TS-450 and outboard antenna tuner comprises our second most active station. HAM-3 is used for CW and SSB, but not for any of the digital modes. |
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HAM-4 - located across from HAM-2 and Ham-3, is a combination of HF, VHF and UHF equipment. A Kenwood TS-430 and a Drake antenna tuner is used on HF while an assortment of ICOM and Kenwood mobile transceivers provide FM coverage on 2 meters (146.82R, 146.52S) and 440 MHz. HAM-4 is also the operating position for the ATV station which is part of the W3PHL system (our ATV station is still in the set-up mode at this time). All VHF and UHF equipment use direct connected antennas, several of which are actual ships antennas. | |
Also located in FACCON 2, but not given a name, is a collection of 2-meter transceivers used for Packet, DXCluster and APRS operations. Using Azden PCS-3000 rigs, this section of equipment operates 24/7, not only because of the nature of the modes but also because the output of the associated PK-232 TNC sends information to NAVMACS (Naval Message Automated Control System) displays in the Comm Center and other parts of the ship. These displays are one of our many attempts to give the ship a "working look".
HAM-1, 2, 3 and 4 share an HF antenna patch panel that allows access to the following ships antennas:
- The DISC/CAGE on the bow of the ship
- The TWIN STUBS mounted amidships
- The TRUSSED VERTICAL on the fantail
- The wire FAN hanging high in the yardarms
- The starboard 35' VERTICAL can be accessed but this action removes this antenna from the receiver antenna coupler used by the ships HF recievers.
The VHF compartment located 2 decks above the Radio Room contains some of the original VHF gear. An AN/VRC-46, designed for 30 to 70 MHz FM, has been restored to operation for the Ham 6-meter band. Today this compartment is an office which offers us limited access to work on the gear. Originally the '46 was operated remotely from elsewhere in the ship. In the future these lines will be restored to service and the '46 will see more service.
The only WWII radio space to remain in operation after the 1982 modernization is the transmitter room located on 2nd deck, off of Broadway. The amount of equipment in this space continues to grow. At this time there are two "AN/URT-23B" 1KW HF all mode transmitters in operation. Each '23 has a R-1051 receiver associated with it. All the HF equipment in the transmitter room share the HF antennas with the HAM stations in Comm Central via a CA-1100 transmitter patch panel. This CA-1100 patch panel contains the necessary interlocks and indicators needed to prevent any patching errors that might damage equipment. The transmitter room also has use of the port 35' VERTICAL, with military auto tuner. This antenna is not available to the stations in the Comm Center.
Along the lines of older equipment are several RBA, RBB and RBC WWII vintage receivers, all functional. Currently nearing completion is an Army T-368 HF transmitter. We realize that this type of transmitter would never have been installed aboard the "BIG J", but we were given an offer we could not refuse. These older radios will hopefully be used during some of our special events.