Technology in Amateur Radio - where are our innovators?

The South African Amateur Radio Development Trust has thus far received one entry in the Innovation in Amateur Radio Competition from an Amateur in the UK. Where are the South African innovators?

Radio amateurs and technologists are invited to submit projects that will innovate amateur radio whether it is software, amateur radio and the Internet, the development of compact HF antennas for flat and complex dwellers or innovation in Emergency Communications.

Out-of-the box ideas are required to solve some of the problems and challenges faced by the 21st century radio amateurs. The innovation project is in the form of a competition to stimulate the creative side of amateurs to develop those solutions that will make the hobby more enjoyable to amateurs all over the world. Even old ideas improved with modern design techniques and modern components can generate a "wow" factor. Solutions will be judged by their uniqueness, e.g. not having been previously published.

Entry of paper designs are invited by 30 September 2010. The designs must be innovative but also practically implementable. Three entries will be chosen to go to the final stage of the competition which requires the entrant to develop and build a prototype. The three winners of the first stage will be announced at on 31 October 2010.

Visit www.amateurradio.org.za for details and an entry form.