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L-R: Don, WA9TGT - Rich, WB9LPU - Tom, WB9GQB
Tony, KB9YIG - Paul, N9PF - Tim, K9NX - Jeff, K9ESE Bill, W9VC - Jack, N9TG |
March 5, 2005
Our first QRP gathering of 2005 was also our first in nearly six months. Joining us for the first time were Tim Jones, K9NX from Greenfield, Indiana and Bill Murray, W9VC from Richmond, Indiana.
Also in attendance were Jack, N9TG and Tony, KB9YIG both from Springport, Tom, WB9GQB from Indianapolis, Rich, WB9LPU and his XYL from Speedway, along with Jason, N9AVG, Don, WA9TGT, Jeff, K9ESE, and Paul, N9PF all from Muncie. Ned Newlin, W8VFM from Sand Creek, Michigan usually takes top honors for farthest distance traveled, but he couldn't make this time. We missed you Ned!
The Maring-Hunt Library in Muncie, Indiana has become our regular meeting spot -- and with good reason. It's a wonderful facility that's equipped with a small kitchen, plenty of seating, and even audio-visual equipment. And being a non-profit group, we have FREE access to these facilities. If your group is looking for a good place to meet, I'd recommend that you check with yor local library.
By the time I arrived, the coffee was brewing, the soda was fizzing, and there were all kinds of cookies and snacks. That's important energy food when you schedule a QRP meeting to begin at lunchtime!
Eleven QRPers attended this meeting, and several more would have but for a nasty virus that seemed to be going around. Folks started arriving a little before Noon and despite the long interval since the last gathering, acquaintances were quickly renewed. As is usual for these gatherings, there was a lot to see and a lot to talk about and we like to take our time doing both. Click pictures for a better view.
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Construction
Don Garrett, WA9TGT and ECI-QRP #001, presented a lifetime of electronic construction hints and kinks. He began by telling us how he became involved in amateur radio and moved from that through a collection of tools and techniques that he has learned over the years and that he uses to build that good looking gear that we see in his shack.
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Tips for making good looking front panels
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Perhaps one of the most useful items mentioned in his presentation was the clip-on magnifier lens, although I saw more than one guy eyeing his chassis nibbler tool and a 40 year-old set of chassis punches -- I hope you got those back Don? :-)
In addition to discussing tools and techniques, Don provided much useful information on common components like resistors, capacitors, toroids and heat sinks. He provided an outline of his presentation which can be downloaded here in Microsoft Word format.
| Several WA9TGT projects appear on the ECI-QRP Web site: |
Another interesting item was a wood tool holder constructed to provide a specific place for each commonly used tool.
There was something for builders of all levels and we are fortunate to have Don share his experiences with us all. Thanks Donnie!
Picture 1 | Picture 2 | Picture 3 | Picture 4 | Picture 5 | Picture 6
More Goodies & Surprises!
Bill Murray, W9VC is a longtime QRPer who has put the Tuna Tin 2 design into a plethora of containers--although oddly enough, none of them are tuna tins! He treated us to a number of interesting projects that he had built, and we all enjoyed the variety of projects that he brought along.
I'm pretty certain that the hair went up on everyone's neck when Bill pulled out a 75m SSB receiver that had been homebrewed by none other than Doug DeMaw, W1FB!
Click the picture at the right for a better view, and get a good look at the inside from this link.
A special thanks to W9VC for joining us and for sharing these goodies!
Richard Meiss, WB9LPU (ECI-QRP #019) and his XYL made the trip up from Speedway, Indiana to join us again for this gathering. It's always a good feeling when Rich walks in with his silver cases under his arm, because we know he packs them with his special keys and paddles!
This time was no exception, and we were treated to some special straight keys that Rich has built. Rich and his wife had visited Telegraph Hill at St. Johns, Newfoundland where they toured the site of Marconi's historic signal transmission that spanned the Atlantic. Using native material (soapstone) from the region, Rich built a straight key that is similar to the general design of keys in maritime service in the early spark years.
Looking to improve the operability of the big straight keys for use with modern equipment, he built several others and shared those with us. Look for an article by WB9LPU about these keys to apear on the Web site in a few weeks. Check the links below for some additional pictures of Rich's handiwork on display at the meeting. You can view many more of Rich's keys and paddles from this link. Thanks for sharing with us Rich!
Hats Off!
Thanks to everyone for turning out and making this ECI-QRP gathering so much fun! Special thanks go to Donnie, WA9TGT for providing the keynote presentation, refreshments and snacks. Thanks also to Richard Meiss, WB9LPU for once again delighting us with your amazing keys and paddles. Thanks to Bill, W9VC for joining us for the first time and for bringing so many interesting things to see. Jeff Imel, K9ESE also provided refreshments and snacks--thanks Jeff!
We always like to give out small door prizes when we can, and this time the prizes were donated by Don Garrett, WA9TGT - Richard Meiss, WB9LPU and Jeff Imel, K9ESE. Thaks guys, I know everyone enjoyed your generosity. By the way, K9ESE donated a couple of his portable antennas--Jeff makes and sells several portable antennas. See his online store to find out more!
This was our fourth meeting -- the ECI-QRP has been together as a group now for nearly an entire year. During that time, we have enjoyed several memorable gatherings. We hope that in 2005 we can add a QRP Field Day operation and at least one other special event to our regularly scheduled meetings. We'd love to have you join us for all the fun! Visit our main Web site at http://qrp.ke9v.net for complete details.
See you next time!
Vy 72 de Jeff, KE9V
ECI-QRP #005
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