23 July BARS Brunch Meeting 2017

Sunday, July 23, 10:30 am, Arnold, MO in EM48, BARS members gathered for our July brunch.  We met at Ponderosa Steakhouse in Arnold.  According to Google there are only three Ponderosa restaurants in the immediate area.  Vandalia, IL, Washington, MO and Arnold.  It was great seeing everyone and the breakfast fare was good.

We discussed general plans for the ARRL 222 and up contest, the 10 GHz and contest and the upcoming solar eclipse.  We plan to be QRV as time, work and family situations dictate.

Harry, WA0CNS brought some microwave yagis for us to inspect and Herbert, AF4JF brought by his latest project - an affordable and easily constructed 10 GHz beacon to augment the existing WB9PNU/B.  Without a PA, these beacons constructed by modifying an ELCOM synthesizer will produce about 10 mW out.  This is sufficient drive for a 3 watt PA.  Plans are to make three beacons.  One to be placed in St. Peters, EM48qs, another near Troy, IL, EM59 and the other near Girard, IL, EM59ck.

As for Sunday, Aug 20, Ron, KO0Z plans to be QRV from Centralia, MO for the contest and for the solar eclipse on Aug 21.  He and Debbie, KC9ULA will be in the path of totality.  Ron is participating in W9FZ's Eclipse-O-Mania.  Herbert may be active from either EM48, EM38 or EM49.

Our next brunch will be after the St. Charles ARC hamfest in O'Fallon, MO on Sunday, 13 August.  Time and place to eat will be determined.

73 de Ron, KO0Z

 Left to right:  Debbie KC9ULA, Mike N0OBI          Left to right: Bob N0IS, Herbert AF4JF
Harry WA0CNS, Bob N0IS and Herbert AF4JF         Ron KO0Z, Debbie KC9ULA and Mke
                                                                                     N0OBI

 Debbie, KC9ULA holding up a home brewed, 2.3 GHz  yagi that Harry, WA0CNS brought.

                                          The driven element of the commercial WiFi yagi antenna

 Debbie holding up the commercial WiFi 2.4 GHz antenna Harry brought to brunch.

                                                   10 GHz slot antenna for the beacons

                        AF4JF's  programmable controller with five sensors for the 10 GHz beacon 

(made by Tomas, OK1DXD)

                                            AF4JF's 3 watts 10 GHz PA for the beacon

 Programmable controller on top of the Elcom synthesizer coupled to the 3 watt 10 GHz beacon

                                         
                                                  WA0CNS hairpin feed to his 2.3 GHz yagi.

 
                                                      Coaxial feed point to the 2.3 GHz yagi.