SARL RADIO TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION COMES TO KWAZULU-NATAL

The South African Radio League is taking its Technology in Action programme on a road show and will present the day at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday 15 July 2006

The aim of the programme is to highlight the new technologies available to radio amateurs and to members of the public who are interested in electronics and communication as a leisure time activity. The two tear programme is varied and will be of interest to newcomers to radio and electronics as a past time activity.

One of the most exciting lectures on the programme is entitled the Miraculous Bell at the Villa Griffon by Tony Voorvelt of the University of the Witwatersrand. This lecture demonstration encompasses the early years of Guglielmo Marconi's experiments in radio communication. The lecture makes use of replicas of the early equipment used by Marconi. During the lecture Tony will attempt to enact the transmissions as Marconi performed them from his home, the Villa Griffon near Bologna, Italy.

On the technology side, there will be a lecture on surge and lightning protection for radio and electronic equipment by Warren Botton of ClearLine. With expensive computer and home theatre equipment around, this lecture will show owners how to protect their investment.

Software Defined Radio, turning your PC into a shortwave radio is another interesting lecture presented by Dr Gert-Jan van Rooyen of the University of Stellenbosch.

Other subjects covered during the day include: Powerline Communication – could it be the death of HF communication?; South Africa’s second satellite and Amateur Radio in space, Working the HF bands, Turbulent Space and its effects on satellites and propagation, Batteries in Amateur radio, All about PICS and Pickaxes, QRP works well, Setting deviation on a FM radio, What will rejuvenate contesting, and Portable operation in Emergencies

The day starts at 08:30 with registration. The cost is R20 per person payable at the door which includes entry into the attendance prize draw which will take place at the end of the day. The event will be held at Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering Lecture Rooms G01 and G02 on the Howard College Campus. Refreshments and light luncheons will be available

For a full programme and times visit www.sarl.org.za.