 |
Last
Meeting |
Our April meeting was another successful "Show and Tell" with many members bringing in various interesting apparatus and construction objects.
(check out the
photos by Roger VE3RKS following the article)
Our "Show and Tell" participants this year included, Roger, VE3RKS displaying a "Basis Stamp" repeater controller capable of doing timeouts, and repeater identifier. This is a very easy and simple controller to build, and shows the flexibility of specific chip applications, with a variety of easy command possibilities. Roger also displayed the front panel of his Pioneer car stereo, which contained many of the programming for the radio, and its ability to be detached from the car to prevent theft. Our thanks to Roger for his interesting presentation.
Fraser, VE3FC showed us two different J Pole antennas that he has constructed from copper pipe, one for 2 metres and one for the 440 Mhz band. Fraser gave us an excellent explanation of how antenna impedance is determined, and how a J Pole can be mounted on the side of the tower. The 440-band version of the J Pole made for an excellent portable gain antenna. Our thanks to Fraser VE3FC for a demo well done.
VE3EOS, Gord had a shack problem trying to tune a HF antenna remotely, so his demonstration consisted of a working remotely operated HF antenna roller tuner which provided him SWR ratio's of less than 1.05 to 1. The remote control box contained indicator lamps for limit travel, and direction controls. Gord never has to climb the tower again to tune up the antenna. Everyone thanked Gord for showing us how it done.
Paul Cassel VE3SY described three different digital modes that can be connected between your HF rig and utilizing the input/output of the computers sound card for operation. The modes tried with great success by Paul were PK31, TRRY, and Feld-Hell, the latter being older technology, but still very capable of getting the signal through. PK31 mode is very sensitive using a 31 Hz shift with 8 levels that can distinguish 2 signals at S9 that are only 50Hz apart. Its speed exceeds that of RTTY, which used an 850Hz shift. Paul provided several documents and information from the web, and the corresponding ULR locations. Our thanks to VE3SY.
Bill, VE3ETK, built a homebrew 20 metre vertical from some CB parts that are easily collapsible. He added a length of pipe to bring it into tune, and to provide a good SWR for that Band. Thanks Bill for sharing your project with us.
Our Bulletin Editor Dennis VA3DLT brought in a mystery box from the 1944 era, for members to guess its contents. It turned out to be a frequency counter in very good shape. Dennis acquired this from his father-in-law, VE3FOR some time ago. Thanks Dennis for a glimpse into the past. Several members identified it as a frequency meter which was used during the war (and after the war by amateurs) to accurately determine the operating frequency of a transmitter. Something that is still required by regulation that fortunately the modern rigs do for us.
Our Prez, VA3MRJ, Dave described how his new ICOM ICT8A can be connected to a control cable and programmed from your PC. The alphanumeric display and receive from DC to Light capability of the radio makes for a great all purpose handy. Thanks Dave.
Our last presentation was from VA3BNY, Ben showing us two versions of a screwdriver antenna, for mobile HF operation. One fully constructed, and one he is building from a modified Webster Bandspanner, that will be motorized after final assembly. Both antennas will tune from 3.5 to 30 Mhz continuously with very low SWR.
Our congratulations and sincere thanks to all presenters, for sharing their project and experiences to the members of KWARC.
|
|
 |
|
| Ben VA3BNY | Roger VE3RKS | Paul
VE3SY (top) Gord VE3OS |
 |
 |
 |
| Dennis VA3DLT | Frazer VE3FC | Pres. Dave VA3MRJ |
Ben VA3BNY
Program Director
| [ TOP ] | KILOWATTER On-Line |
|
Requests for reuse to |
This page updated Site hosted by KW-IGS |
Hits=13 |