For year 15 of Geoff’s challenges, Geoff came up with one of his popular challenges to date – a station accessory or piece of test equipment. Judged by Tex G1TEX, the record entry gave him a challenge to decide which should be declared the winner.
Dave Mason G3ZPR entered a computer controlled satellite antenna tracking interface. Dave explained that it is the Mark 1 version using relays and an aduino processor to drive the azimuth and elevation rotating arrangements.
Alan Stepney G8BLW entered a couple of VHF wave meters that he had built some years ago.
Sue Coombes, M0SUZ had built a 25-Watt dummy load in a honey jar, enabling members to see the very neat construction, which she explained had been achieved using a couple of jigs that she had also made. It incorporated a diode probe.
Bill Coombes G4ERV had built an ingenious a clock that gives the time in Morse code based on a TTiny45 Microprocessor. It is set with the aid of side-swipe Morse key. No doubt it would be a real advantage to a white-stick operator.
John Button G8JMB, submitted a 3-Amp Power Supply that he had built. It incorporates a protection circuit for over-current.
Phil Ciotti G3XBZ, had built a beautifully made unbalanced antenna tuner unit. Not content with this, he also entered an end-fed 2m antenna. He uses the same design to participate in the Wednesday evening club nets.
Colin Redwood G6MXL entered a simple unit for testing feeder and connectors for continuity and short circuits. He explained that it contained no active components, as he didn't want to rely on a battery that might be flat when he needed to use it. Instead it is designed to work with a multi-meter, which he uses more frequently, and thus would more likely to have a charged battery when needed.
Alan Walker G4UWS submitted a direct Reading Capacitance Bridge, based on a published design.
Winner
Phil Ciotti G3XBZ’s unbalanced Antenna tuner unit won the challenge as Tex felt it was 'stylish', 'clean', and 'serves a useful purppose'. The quality of construction and finish was evident to everyone. Phil a £50 prize, made up of £25 from the Poole Radio Society & £25 by Rob Mannion G3XFD, the Editor of Practical Wireless.
2014
Geoff has set another challenge for the coming year - a transceiver, transmitter or receiver using at least one valve. Alan G8BLW offered to help members with suitable valves. As an alternative, it was agreed that a second challenge will be to build a transceiver which does NOT use printed circuit board or vero board or similar. It might, for example, be made using drawing pins, tag strip etc. It will be judged at the Annual General Meeting in April 2014.