THE CONSTRUCTION CONTEST - 2010.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE G0FDZ HOSTED CONSTRUCTION CONTEST EVENINGS HAVE GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH THIS YEAR’S OFFERINGS REALLY PULLING OUT ALL THE STOPS.

29 Mar 2010

The number of entries, the sheer quality and ingenuity, demonstrated to all present that construction activities are alive and well at Cray Valley.

Slim G4IPZ: Spectrum Analyser Adaptor, UnUn 9:1 long-wire antenna transformer, 70cm HB9CV from microbore tubing, Muti-frequency crystal marker oscillator.

Ian M0UAT: 350 THz laser transceiver.

Richard G8ITB: 144 Mhz miniature DF transmitter.

Malcolm G8MCA: Dual Wilkinson 70 cms antenna splitter, PIC controlled portable PSU, PIC controlled voice keyer for 70 cm contests.

Tom G1FAD: Variable tone generator.

Guy G0UKN: Headphone interface for HF transceiver.

Matthew M6MER: PW PSK31 interface.

Chiff G4HSU: mains filter unit for workshop.

To judge such an event was a major headache as every entry had value that was recognized by all in the room – be that design, build quality, thriftiness, filling a need or purely the satisfaction and achievement gained by the constructor. Ian G0AFH and Kevin M0KSJ deliberated long and hard to reach a decision ... which we finally resolved with three commendation certificates as well an outright winner.

The certificates went to Matthew M6MER‘s PSK31 interface (this lad will go far!), Ian M0UAT‘s light modulated Tx/Rx system and Slim G4IPZ’s 70cm “a work of art” HB9CV. And finally... the Reigate Cup went to Malcolm G8MCA, for his bespoke designed and built gel battery charge unit - a simple concept that was well executed with that added bit of “under played” sophistication in the form of the informative monitor.

The evening wasn’t over with the awards though... we also had a “surprise visitor” in our presence – the GB3VHF beacon making a rare personal appearance! Temporally in limbo while waiting to go to its new home in Fairseat a few miles from Wrotham, Chris put it through its paces running into a dummy load while explaining the plans for the relocation and reactivation ... a fine ending to the evening showcasing more construction excellence.