CTARC Indian Radio Kits - 7 Aug '20

DON'T GET BORED DURING LOCKDOWN! GET BUILDING...

INDIAN RADIO KITS: uBITX

The CTARC is organising an exciting construction project for interested club members:

A QRP HF transceiver covering the HF bands, with the following features:

• Up to 10 watts PEP on lower HF bands, dips to 5 watts on 28 MHz;
• SSB and CW modes;
• Simple to build and align;
• Minimal controls;
• Based on Arduino Nano controller and a Si5351 for all local oscillators;
• Double-conversion, superhet architecture

The cost of this HF radio transceiver is $209-00 (USD) = R3500-00 ZAR (at today's  exchange rates), excluding RSA taxes and VAT. The final costs  will be conveyed to purchasers on the kit's arrival in South Africa. We are hoping a bulk order will reduce these costs).

The full uBITX version 6 Kit is comprised of:

1. The Main uBITX board;
2. Main uBITX board with mounting hardware;
3. TFT - Arduino Board with Display with mounting hardware for the front panel;
4. Encoder with pre-soldered cable;
5. Tuning knob;
6. Volume control knob;
7. USB extender cable;
8. Mounting screws & nuts;
9. Microphone;
10. Power Supply jack;
11. Speaker;
12. Cabinet (box) - chassis, front, back & top panels.

Take a look at their website for all the specifications of the transceiver:

https://www.hfsignals.com/

TO ORDER, PLEASE CONTACT CTARC SECRETARY, ANNE BY E-MAIL WITH YOUR PROOF OF PAYMENT

 E-MAIL: ctarccapetownarc@gmail.com

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR ORDER NO LATER THAN
31 AUGUST 2020

CTARC Homebrew VHF/UHF Moxon Antenna - Oct '19

Here is a link to what looks like a most interesting VHF/UHF Moxon Satellite beam antenna, described by PY4ZBZ:

https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/antenas/ms.htm

The web page is not in English, however the dimensions are construction are straightforward and should be easily interpreted.

OM Lem ZS1LEM  built the version with 5 UHF elements and 2 VHF elements.

The components include:

• 3.2 mm aluminum welding rods are available from any welding supplier (Afrox etc).
• A piece of PVC pipe;
• A 3.2mm drill bit,
• A piece of RG-58 coax, and
• A coax plug.

It looks like an easy build.

Many thanks to OM Lem ZS1LEM for passing on the link, and obrigado to PY4ZBZ and PQ2HX for publishing the information online.

Photo copyright Hermes PQ2HX

CTARC Club History - 2 Jun '18

Here is some club history, kindly provided by Dennis ZS1AU.

In the photo (right) from (we guess) the 1960's, L to R: Sydney Smith ZS1PF standing, telling us about his homebrew project (it was an electronic keyer), Ray Alexander ZS1IM (then CT Club Chairman) & Jack Meerburg ZS1FM (Secretary) seated. Note the Trophies!
Syd, who was a Mechanical Engineer by profession and who built beautiful homebrew equipment, was the winner in the photo. He also built (for his company, Cape Steel Pty Ltd ) the connecting bridge walk through, over Darling Street, from Cape Town Railway Station to the OK Bazaars/Golden Acre complex.

Sadly, both Syd and Ray have since passed on, but Jack is still around and living in Constantia.

In the photo (right) are Muriel Alexander (Ray's XYL) and Mac Mclure ZS1VN.

Thanks so much, Dennis!

CTARC Forthcoming Meeting - 23 Sep '17

IT'S YOUR TURN...... to 'SHOW and TELL'  

Our next monthly meeting of the Cape Town Amateur Radio Centre will be at 14h00 at the clubhouse on Saturday 23 September 2017.

The meeting will be the popular "Show-and-Tell" format, where you can bring along various bits and pieces of ham equipment to demonstrate to all present. That can be any new or ongoing projects you may be involved with or even an older project. Homebrew projects are always greeted with enthusiasm. Hints and Kinks are also welcome and encouraged. Come along to the Clubhouse and bring the actual project to show, or just chat about the new ideas you may have and are trying out in the shack.

This is always a very well attended and supported meeting, lots of information gets bandied about, and a good old 'Ragchew' with the guys for the afternoon..

We will also resume the regular Swop Shop, where you can bring various ham items surplus to requirements for sale, swop or disposal. Come early to get a good spot for your project or Bring and Buy item (Please remember to take home afterwards any of your equipment you didn't manage to sell).

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday 23rd!

This event has now taken place. Report-back and photos are [here].