[HBQRP] Ozarkcon Final Update

[Sean Edwards]

*Saturday Presentations*

*60 Minute Circuit Boards*
Jim Gimmanco N5IB and Nick Kennedy WA5BDU

Jim and Nick did a live demonstration of etching a circuit board using the
toner transfer method and muriatic acid and hydorgen peroxide etching
solution.  They rerfered to Chuck Adams (K7QO) Youtube videos for more
information.

*The Magnetic Loop Antenna*
Bill Dekle, KV6Z

Bill did a great presentation on Magnetic Loops.  He did not go into a lot
of the math involved with these things, but he did explain some of the
terms used, or misused, to describe them.  The most important aspect is the
difference between loaded and unloaded performance and how those both
relate to antenna bandwidth.

*Photo tour of the Antique Wireless Museum*
Joe Spinks, AA0KW

Joe's pictures and videos of the Antique Wireless Museum were impressive.
If you've ever heard of a spark gap transmitter but never actually heard
one in operation, you will realize the tradition of us working our hobby in
an actual shack, away from the house!

*VHF and UHF Communications*
Tommy Henderson WD5AGO

Tommy, in my opinion, was the most entertaining and the most engaging
presenter.  The secret to his low band / high frequency designs is
filtering.  His philosophy is to capture everything and filter out the
undesired signals.  Long ago Tommy embraced surface mounted components and
has used them in his circuit designes for 30 years now.

*Me 'n' the Boys - Adventures in Radio Scouting*
David Cripe NM0S

David spoke on how his work with a scout troop developed into an actual
club.  Initially to develop interest, Dave just set up some gear during a
camp out and over time interest grew.  One of his former scouts is now an
intern in his department at Rockwell Collins.


*Solar Applications and Ham Radio*
John Watkins N0EVH and Frank Theis KD0MQO

John and Frank gave a great presentation on the components of a solar
charged battery power source.  Solar panels and charge controllers are
important components, but the focus of such a system is the battery.  The
different types of battery chemistry available affect weight, portability,
duration of use, and charge time.  The chart they presented with this
information is helpful for anyone investigating a solar charged battery
power source.

*New Kit Show and Tell*
Dave Cripe NM0S

The 80m Cricket group build this year was great fun.  The most fun was had
trying to determine the values on the monolithic capacitors!  There will be
a 17m kit (Ozark 17m or O-17) from Tommy Henderson WD5AGO, and Dave Cripe
is ressurecting a kit or two on his own, apart from the group.  In the
works is a computer CW interface for the 80m Cricket, and something else I
cannot remember for "4 Days In May."

Eventually, there were six of us from the Omaha / Lincoln area: Brian, Jim,
Ray, Darrel, Joe,and myself.  This was not the year of highest attendance,
but with attendees from 19 states, this year has the most states
represented to date.

Each of my tickets won prizes, a $25 gift card to ARRL and a Code Practice
Ocillator.  I will use the gift card to get a straight key from ARRL and a
repeater directory.

In the past I have attended HAM events in Omaha and Lincoln, but this was
my first ever Ozarkcon.  It was fun to see familiar faces, but it was also
fun to meed new people.  It was also fun to meet John Robertson W5CYF and
Cliff Batson N4CCB, both who have Youtube channels that I follow.

My wife and son went with me, and they found plenty of things to do in
Branson while I attended sessions.  They went to the shows Six and Moses
and the Branson Landing on lake Taneycomo.  We went to Steak and Shake for
lunch on Friday, pizza at Parmesan's in Kimberling City on Saturday, and
Silver Dollar City on Sunday.  After brunch at the Belgian Waffle and
Pancake House today, we drove back.

I can't wait to attend nex year, if work allows!

-= Sean Edwards =-
AD0QG