CONSTRUCTION CONTEST 2008 - "WHO SAID HOMEBREW IS DEAD?"

THE 2008 CONSTRUCTION CONTEST WAS A 'RUN AWAY SUCCESS' WITH 16 TOP QUALITY ENTRIES!

09 Mar 2008

Chris Whitmarsh G0FDZ hosted the "Construction Contest 2008" and was greeted with 16 top quality entries from Cray Valley members.

The winner of the "REIGATE CUP" was John Alford G4DOE with his 'microphone audio pre-amplifier & impedance matcher for use with valved equipment!

BUT ...... Look at these entries; no wonder judges Laurie G4FAA & Dave G3RGS had a hard time:

Guy, G0UKN: Multiple operating position antenna/transceiver switch with protection circuitry.
Tom, G1FAD: PIC programmer.
Colin, G3SPJ: 25 - 200 MHz DF loop tuner, now in use with the Metropolitan Police!
Cliff, G4HSU: Portable VHF Slim Jim antenna.
Keith, G4JED: VK5JST antenna analyser.
Dave, G0KPZ: Replica 1935 receiver - all homebrew parts!
John, G4DOE: Mic pre-amp & speech clipper [and a HF SWR bridge].
Dave, G4BUO: PicoKeyer [and 18 ft portable base/mast unit].
Richard, G8ITB: HF PortaPack PSU for FT817.
Sam, M0SJW: DigiMode interface & auto CQ'er for FT847.
Tony, G6LUD: Calibrater barometer for Glider airfield, using a piezoelectric transducer.
Kevin, M0KSJ: VK5JST antenna analyser.

All entries were to a high standard and displayed good engineering and electrical principles. All were items that were not available 'off the shelf' - so the entrants solved the problem by building them!

As a final Chris G0FDZ displayed his current project; a 76 GHz transverter - Yes, 76 GHZ and he showed it working by bringing a 76GHz signal source with him!