Balun Building School Continues..

After the March business meeting, we adjourned to the tech building workshop to continue our balun-building learning project.

Our instructor Jay K8DC has taken us through the theory and technology of baluns, impedance matching and common mode current filtering.

During one session, we worked on the design of a combination 4:1 impedance matching balun and common mode current rejection filter.

After design was completed, a prototype was constructed and tested, verifying the design’s effectiveness.

Jay then acquired materials and supplies in quantity, and our club members got down to the construction of their own dual-core baluns.  The units are intended to be used as the feed-point of a multi-band HF wire dipole.  They will convert the relatively high impedance of the antenna to a closer and more efficient match to that of 50ohm coaxial cable.  The baluns will be able to handle full legal power.

Thanks again to Jay for his valuable instruction, patience and contribution to the art of amateur radio.

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2016 ARRL International DX Phone Contest

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The shack is ready for action.  This year we have two rigs and at least partial coverage of all approved contest bands.
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Station “0” – Kenwood TS-2000 into an Ameritron AL-811h, with choice of 80m – 10m OCF wire or a tri-band 3-el Yagi.

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Station “1” – Yaesu FT-2000d, 200w barefoot and into a tri-band loaded dipole, covering 160-80-40 (and usable on 15m) or a single band 60m dipole (usable on 10m)

DSCF2203First Op to arrive for the contest!  Hi Paul !! [W8OPD]

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Gene arrives and mentors Paul in the fine art of preparing for “treats & eats” ! [AB8KP & W8OPD]

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“You’ll have to keep my coffee cup filled if you want me to make QSOs !”

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John is working 15m on the 2000d, in-between bursts of “interference” from the TS-2000 & AL-811h! [KD8WZH]

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Allen is trying to work DX stations, but really wants to get a piece of apple pie!  [KD8WEG]

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20 contacts in 5 minutes…. That pie was goooood !!

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Filling the log with contacts… 160m looks lonely.  We never did make a contact on 160… our antenna covered the wrong part of the band.  Lesson learned.  Maybe next year??

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Jay is wary of radiation poisoning or RF burns in delicate places! A dedicated QRP Op, he is somewhat put off by the amp, until he deals with the first couple o’ pileups! [K8DC]

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Club president, Mike takes a “brief” rest from supervising the contest efforts…  How can you eat 3 bowls of firehouse chili and 2 lbs of Mac & cheese and be expected to work DX ?? [N8MRC]

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Lucy says she will work the Kenwood if she can have one of the great cookies that Jay brought!  [K8DOG]

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Thanks Jay !!

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You have to make alot of pulled-pork, chili, mac & cheese and bean dip to get through a 48 hour contest!! … Well, at least with the Riverside Radio Amateurs you do.

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Pie’s almost gone… good thing it’s only 3 months ’til Field day!

Good DX & 73 everyone 😉

P.S.  In between meals & snacks:  455 contacts, 275,730 points & 86 countries.