[SMCARA] Save the Date - August 11&12

[Tom Shelton]

On August 11th and 12th, we’ll be activating the club station to participate in the Maryland QSO party.  I’ve checked with the Museum director and she is as excited about us doing the contest as I am.  If Walt Rupp can support us we can operate past the normal closing time.  The contest is sponsored by our friends in the Anne Arundel Radio Club.  The contest rules haven’t been updated yet, but if it’s the same as last year, we’ll start at Noon on Saturday and can work as late as Midnight.  On Sunday the contest runs from Noon until 8:00 PM.  Check out the contest page at  http://mdcqsoparty.w3vpr.org/

BUT WAIT – THERE’S MORE

Beginning at about 10:00 AM we’ll be having a hands-on session on building the Ugly-Balun.  If you attend this you’ll be putting together the balun (and taking it home for your own station use).  You’ll be exposed to some basic soldering, antenna measurements and what they mean, you’ll understand the difference between a balanced and an unbalanced line, and you’ll have a good time making something with your own hands that can work as well or better than something you could purchase on-line or at your favorite ham radio store.  You’ll walk away from the session with the balun and two sets of dipole wire sets tuned to the bands of your choosing.  There will be a small fee to help defray the cost for the parts (not more than $10 per balun).  MFJ sells a similar balun for set up for $47.99.  We’re still finalizing the details, more info to follow.

If you are interested in the balun session, the contest, or both – shoot me an e-mail so I can gauge interest and figure out how many people to expect.

Tom Shelton, AB3IC

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein