The Branch 05 Clubroom was not quite packed-like-sardines, as a dozen suitably socially Distanced folks attended at the Homebrew show and tell evening.
First up was Mark “Dolby” (as I can’t remember his call’). (ZL3JVX ed) Mark’s project as displayed onscreen, was as complicated as we have come to expect from him. But he’s always aware of the dangers. He described his project as involving “Squirtable electrons” and as being “Reasonably safe, as Death Rays go”.
ZL3GIL Bodan Kit
ZL3GIL QRP guys Close-up
Next up was Gilbert ZL3GIL. Now regulars will be disappointed to hear that his latest projects were NOT installed in old biscuits or liquorice tins. Alas it was just a plastic container donated to him that housed his wares this night. Sourced from The QRP Guys located in good ol’ USA, the unfinished project was expected to Transmit 4 watts output on the 15 metre band. CW only. Gilbert wound the Toroid’s himself and the circuit does use some Surface Mount components.
Another thing Gilbert’s been working on was sourced from RPproject.de a German site. This was a “Bodan” and he was trying to resurrect a previous kit which hadn’t worked out right. When finished it is rated at 1 watt, CW only, for the 6-metre band.
Alan ZL3UYJ was hiding nothing up his jumper tonight as he showed a PCB “Logic Array”. This is a Digital Receiver in the making and already comprises 8,000 Logic Elements.
Then it was Keith’s turn ZL4JA. He showed us a range of several antenna projects he’s been working on, for the 2 metre and 70 cm bands. Using a range of examples he explained some of the trials and experimentation he’d done so far using Fibreglass, Aluminium and Carbon Fibre. Indeed there was one minor casualty as he demonstrated how much fibreglass could, and couldn’t be bent before breaking. Keith described how an earlier J-pole design hadn’t worked out. It just “had too many sticky out bits” he said. This was the first Homebrew evening since June so folks that didn’t get along, missed a good chance to see some projects.
Thanks to all participants and perhaps with summer nipping at our heels, even more folks will turn out next time.
Words & photo’s by Catherine ZL3CATH
