We installed a 75m loop for SSB operation on our tower when we built it. The loop is full size and is diamond shaped so that our lower SteppIR DB36 yagi can rotate inside of it. The loop is fed at the bottom corner about 20 ft up from the ground. It works great for SSB operation on 75m but we have often wished we could use it across the entire 80m band. This goal led to a project to create a matching system for the antenna. The idea was to use a set of loading coils in series at the feed point create a good match in all segments of the 80m band…
We shared this project at our project night meeting in January. I recently published an article explaining the design and construction of an 80m Broadband Matching System. The ideas used can be applied to many other matching system arrangements for many different types of low-band antennas.
Every January Meeting we hold Project Night, where members bring in and share recent homebrew projects that they have built. This year’s Project Night was full of interesting projects built by our members.
Member Projects
Scott NE1RD Kits
Our Programs Chairperson, Scott, NE1RD led it off by showing us some kits he had built, including the K1EL PaddleStick Keyer that we will be building for the February Tech Night.
Bob KB1TEK – QRP Kits
Bob, KB1TEK brought some QRP kits that he had built.
Dave K1DHP – VLF Detector
Dave, K1DHP showed us the VLF Detector that he built.
Hamilton, K1HMS – Antenna Switches
Hamilton, K1HMS brought Antenna Switches that he had built.
Dave K1DLM – Heakthkit
Dave, K1DLM showed us a Heathkit that he plans to build.
Dennis, K1LGQ had another explosive presentation when he showed us a KX2 stand that he built.
Dennis hows plans for his KX2 Stand
Fred AB1OC – Low-Band Match
Fred, AB1OC brought an 80m band matching system that he will install in order to make our 80m delta loop be resonant across the band. He has programmed our MicroHam system to automatically have the box switch the matching system as we tune through the 80m band. I’m looking forward to using this to get the last 20 80m contacts for my 5 Band DXCC!
Anita AB1QB – CW Pi
I (AB1QB) demonstrated a Raspberry Pi project that I built over the holidays. It is called a Morse Code Virtual Radio. When you hook up a monitor and a straight key to the Raspberry Pi, it will decode what you key in. This was a big hit with the kids who visited us for ARRL Kids Day.
Mike, AB1YK – Panadapter
Finally, Mike, AB1YK brought in a number of projects that he has done including a Panadapter and a CW Generator.
Anita AB1QB - CW Pi
Scott NE1RD Kits
Mike AB1YK - Panadapter
Mike AB1YK - CW Generator
Hamilton K1HMS - Ant Switches 2
Hamilton K1HMS - Ant Switches 1
Fred AB1OC - Low-Band Match
Fred Ab1OC - Low-Band Match 1
Dennis K1LGQ - KX2 Stand 2
Dennis K1LGQ - KX2 Stand 1
Dave K1DLM - Heakthkit 2
Dave K1DLM - Heakthkit 1
Dave K1DHP - VLF Detector
Bob KB1TEK - QRP Kits 2
Bob KB1TEK - QRP Kits 1
Overall it was great to see all of the projects that our members have been working on. The gallery above contains more pictures from Project Night.
The results are in for the Tech Night program survey. We had 18 respondents and several volunteers to help with presentations.
In order to produce a meaningful ranking, a weight was given to votes for High, Medium, and Low. High was assigned a value of 10. Medium was assigned a value of 3. Low was assigned a value of zero. The score for each idea was then tallied, and the table sorted by score. Anything with a score below 95 was considered uninteresting at this time. Note that future surveys may have these very same ideas, and new members (or even old members) may rate the ideas higher later. Just because an idea didn’t get scheduled this year doesn’t mean it is off the table for next year.
I’m happy to say that five of the ideas that ranked highest have already been scheduled. We are also doing an Antenna Modeling program two nights, and a two-night kit build event in January and February to round out the package. As for the other popular ideas, we’ll be seeking out presenters for these in the coming weeks and months.
Here is a list of the ideas that made the cut:
Here are the remaining issues ranked, and a few more that were suggested during the survey.
Our hope is to bring interesting speakers and ideas to Tech Night. If you have ideas for program topics, or if you’d like to present at a Tech Night, please contact me.
