Convention results 2008
Special thanks go to the following people for their financial
support through the donation of money or goods:
VK5LP our Patron, former WIA VK5 Division, anonymous
home brew benefactor, Alan VK3XPD, Anvil Electronics, VK5LP.
Thanks too go to the support of our commercial traders and second hand dealers/ amateur sellers as without them there would be no incentive to hang around for a protracted time at the convention centre and we buyers would miss out on all those goodies.
President David thanked all club members for their terrific support in all apects of the convention and hoped that the hounds enjoyed themselves as much as the foxes did in hiding the TXs. Total registrations were 140 plus partners and harmonics.
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Home brew competition
This event is sponsored by an anonymous VK3 amateur. We thank this person for his/her generous support for home brew constructors. The intent of the generous support is to encourage home brewing.
This year there were 10 entries in the home brew competition from 8 amateurs. Nine of the entries were in the Advanced Licence Section with one in the Foundation Licence Sections.
Bob, VK3ZL (left) receives the prize for Advanced Licence Homebrew - HF Amp
John VK5JA
(right) receives the equal first prize for his Tesla Coil from President David
The chance of winning a prize is very good for Foundation and Standard Licensees and the anonymous prize donor and judges are looking for increased participation from these two groups. Support from a higher level licence does not disqualify entries providing that a majority of work is done by the participant. Sometimes a good way to get into home brewing is to get support from another person. We urge people to have a go. A kit is a good way to start on home brewing and an excellent chance to practise soldering or mechanical work. This year Paula VK5FOXX showed her sense of humour with an eatable satellite antenna and although a surprise entry this year and done in fun, her club will encourage her to submit a real antenna next year as punishment.
Here is a summary of the projects on display:
Advanced licence
First prize went jointly to Bob VK3ZL and John VK5JA for their two
quite different projects.
Bob shows the way in creating high power HF linears and this latest version is a demonstration of how it should be done. The unit covers 160-20 metres and can generate 1KW of carrier with 50-60 watts drive. It includes overload protection although the whole amplifier is designed with sufficient headroom that operation at the legal limit does not strain any components. You can't get much better than this. the power supply is an example of how to do things too. Bob provided log book verification of contacts. |
 John VK5JA's Tesla Coil really works. People who have spotted this in action told the judges that it really is a fearsome device. Unfortunately we couldn't run it during the convention as it would probably fry the Scout Hall power supply if earth connections were not good. It usually runs with an extensive earth system. |
Third prize went to David VK3XAJ for his tracking system which has enabled his team to simplify operation of an exercise that normally uses multiple systems. The system included the use of DTMF tones to control polarity of the antenna and the pre-amps. The system is software controlled from the computer and included a GPS port. His XYL Marta assisted with the software. A photograph was not taken of David and Marta's project.
Additional home brew prizes were awarded for the following
projects:
Col VK5DK displayed several units constructed this year: A 1296 SSB transverter.
It uses Mark VK3EME's boards in a modified commercial radio case. Neatly
constructed. He also showed a 1296MHz TV transmitter and RX pre-amp. This
is used in conjunction with a commercial satellite decoder. With this unit
he has successfully sent and received noise free pictures from Millicent
50km distant. A third item on display was a 440MHz ATV transmitter again
using Mark's boards. Very nicely constructed with attention to good UHF practice.
Effective shileding and excellent soldering.
Col VK5DK's entries
Chris VK5MC showed his 1296 MHz solid state remote transverter using Mark VK5EME's boards and sequencer design. The transverter will live in Chris's remote shack near his dish. Output power is 10mW. The IF is 2 metres.
Chris VK5MC remote transverter
Bruce VK3TJN showed the judges in his car his 'The Fox Box'. This is a replacement for a significant part of the VK3YQN fox hunting system with an interface to a PDA. Well documented with circuits and a general description.
John VK5JA showed a six valve superhet receiver - a unique use of micro valves. Amazing little unit very nicely constructed. Uses a 36 volt supply for series connected filaments with a voltage doubler for the high tension.
Bill VK3AMH displayed his 2C39 water cooled 1296MHz amp. A practical amp capable of good performance from this very nice tube. Suitable metered for all important voltage and current. (Please cover that 240 volt input though Bill). Bill is a regular contributor to the homebrew competition and always comes up with an entry. Well done Bill.
Bill's 1296 MHz amp
Special
UHF/SHF prizes were contributed by Alan VK3XPD in addition to our anonymous
donor.
Australian Foxhunting Championship
The VK3YDF team receives the trophy from the President of SERG David VK5HDW
(right)
An excellent field of amateurs and non amateurs consisting of up to 17 teams participated in the Championship. As usual there was the battle between the fox and the hounds. On their part the foxes tried to be as devious and cunning as possible while the hounds notched up the technology stakes to find them.
This year the overall winner was the team of Brian VK3YDF and his team.
Bevan VK5TV searches for the fox. 'I think it's buried in the mud'
A man on a mission
Great to see some younger people involved again this year.
More details of the championship are to be forwarded to the webmaster soon.
One of our most determined and the cheeriest of our hounds, VK5TV
Bevan is the only participant who hasn't missed since 1970.