The 2012 Youth Day event at the National Amateur Radio centre, NARC in Radiokop went off very well.
We could possibly have done with a few more visitors but the display by Tony. ZS6CCD and Domenic, ZS6ITI were absolutely amazing.
Although the weather was cloudy initially, by around 12 noon the cloud had cleared and Tony could set up his telescope to view the sun. It was interesting to view quite a number of sun spots, very visible and amazing to view.
But the show was stolen by Domenic. His display of equipment was to say the least ‘mind blowing’ From old radios in good working order, to small little wire radios working by cranking a small generator so supply the power.
We also had a view of real ‘steam radio’. A small boiler about the size of a toilet roll was filled with water and a small amount of liquid fuel soon had the water boiling and emitting enough steam to turn a flywheel that in turn turned a little generator supplying power enough to run a small radio.
Most of the equipment was all home built and included a 75w AM transmitter for 40m CW operation. Beautifully constructed and built by Tony from old discarded radio’s and built into a magnificent box, varnished to make it look so professional.
However, there was so much to view; it just kept us all enthralled at what was on display.
We made a number of good contacts from the shack on 40 m to add a little actuality to the morning.
Well done to all the other helpers who attended and make the morning a most entertaining experience!
Reporting for Hamnet, this is Francois Botha – ZS6BUU.
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