SARL HAMFEST IS FOR ALL

The SARL Hamfest, to be held at the National Amateur Radio Centre on 21 August, is a public event to which all Radio Amateurs, Shortwave listeners and Electronic hobbyist are invited.

The Hamfest includes a large range of lectures on many topics of interest, displays, demonstrations and a flea market. By popular request, the flea market and boot sale will start at 12 noon and will be open throughout the day. Book a space with Vee by calling 011 675 2373.

The aim of the day is to focus on amateur radio and bring as many people together to experience the many facets of Amateur Radio.

One of the speakers in the lecture programme is Thomas Abbott, ZR6TXA, who will be speaking about four interesting antennas that you might consider building for your station.

Too many antenna designs, especially for Yagis, require some precision in their construction, and give disappointing results if not perfectly made. These are antennas that can be built by amateurs, at home, with modest tools, and without the use of any RF test equipment.

The antennas are the W8JK or flattop beam, for HF or VHF and a helix, as a simple means of improving your station gain on 70, 23 or 12 cm. The rhombic, which is sometimes used at HF, is suitable for use at 6 m and even 2 m, giving a quick improvement in gain with a minimum of materials, and a Dual-quad reflector antenna, with good gain for 23 cm and simple construction and feeding. Copies of the antenna designs will be made available at the event.

Clubs are invited to participate in the SARL Hamfest and put up small displays to promote their club. There is no charge for this. Call Vee, ZR6ZEN, at the National Amateur Radio Centre on Tuesday at 011 675 2373 to book your space to promote membership of your club.

SA AMSAT will have a stand at the SARL Hamfest with people to answers all the questions you may have on how to operate on satellites.

August 21 promises to be a great day of fun. The entrance fee is only R20 per person which includes entry into the attendance draw with the first prize an ICOM V8000 two metre mobile rig donated by Multiscource and many other prizes. There are no additional charges. The Sentech restaurant will be open for refreshments and light meals or you may bring your own picnic basket.

The lecture stream for the home constructor features three speakers as well as a open forum discussion. For the full programme visit www.sarl.org.za.

Courtesy of The South African Radio League

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