On my website I have a picture of my QRP setup, at a log cabin owned by my family. Some of my friends have requested that I include some pictures, and an explanation of the cabin. The cabin was designed and built by my Father, Mother, brother, myself, and some friends, starting in 1980, and finishing in late 1982. We worked on it weekends, and days off work, as it is about 5 hours from where we live. Roads are better now, so the travel time is a little shorter. The following 3 pictures were taken from the same spot, standing in the roadway, near the pumphouse in front of and to the left of the cabin. The cabin is built with tree trunks, from the woods that surround the area. Most range in size from 8 to 14 inches across. We got help from some local people who had a lot of experience with constructing buildings out of logs. With my Father being an Engineer on the B&O Railroad, and my brother and I being Plumbers, we needed some experienced help. The first picture is of the cabin. There is a pumphouse in front of the person taking the picture, to the left of the picture.
2 of the preceding pictures were taken, one looking left, and the other looking right. Both photos show that we are in a valley, with the roadway, woods and land rising equally, about 50 feet or more on both sides. To the left of the pumphouse is a small creek, with a culvert under the road, that extends through the hills to a river, to serve as a water runoff from wooded area across road from cabin. Most of the trees are 100 feet in height, and most are straight up.
I have started moving up the road to the right of the cabin. In these pictures, can be seen the road descending from hill on opposite side of cabin, then the pump-house, cabin, and a small building in back of the cabin, where we keep outdoor equipment. The pictures were taken about 1/3 of the way up the hill, and gives an idea of what a driver would view on the road. The road rises and falls with the land, so there are many peaks and valleys.
These pictures were taken at the rear of the yard. They show the back porch, where I usually set-up the QRP station. The rain-water from the rear part of the roof, and the gutter, runs through a down-spout into the cement tank, partially above ground to keep any possible ground-water from entering it. When we arrive at the cabin, we use a portable sump-pump with a fire-hose attached to it, to pump water from this tank, to another tank under the pump-house. From there, water is connected to the cabin, using a well pump, to be used for the bath-room and kitchen sink, but NOT for drinking. We bring bottled water for drinking and cooking, if needed. There is also an under-ground pipe from the front roof and gutter, which empties into the tank under the pump-house. The system is like a cistern on a house.
The cabin is located 10 miles from a highway, and roads leading to it are winding, mainly gravel, and up and down hills, with sharp curves, but it is nice to spend time there. No television, no telephone, no busy traffic, just wildlife. There are quite a few people living nearby, and because of the hills and heavy forest, sound travels easily, so it is easy to just relax and enjoy nature.
