Salmoncon VI

The Puget Sound QRP (pQRP) Interest Group Salmoncon VI Event has come and gone - July 9th, 10th and 11th, 2011.

There were about 44 people in attendance, the weather was great, there were many good conversations, good presentations, good radio contacts, and good food.

Free Part Swap tables were set up for exchange of parts for personal projects.

There were many; activities, projects, helpers, YLs, supporters, attendees and some young Harmonics, only a few details are recorded here. For more complete details see Wayne's Yahoo Group write-up.

Wayne - NB6M, performed the Master of Ceremonies (MC) function and kept us all on schedule for special events.

In the past, Dean - N7XG has provided Solmoncon Name Badges, and new ones this year for everyone that requested them.

Time was allocated for spontaneous group discussions and radio operation.

Conversations in the Warm Morning Sun

Roger, Rich, Curt, and Alan
in a Technical Discussion

Rod - KE7X provided the launch for some of the antenna in the trees.

Rod - Ready for Launch

Lyle and Steve - with the KX3

Lyle - KK7P and Rich - AC7MA were there with the Elecraft KX3, for presentation, demonstration and available for anyone to try.

Steve - wG0AT was there; with an interesting presentation and previously unseen videos of the Rooster and Peanut. Steve put the KX3 to good use, on the air, as reported by Dave - AA7EE on his blog.

Chris with my BuddiPole

Chris - W6HFP, the owner of BuddiPole, was there and spent time with me configuring and adjusting my BuddiPole for a non-standard Vertical Configuration on 20 and 40 Meters with two Ground Plane Whip Elements at 22.5 Degrees. Chris lent me his TRSB (Triple Range Switch Balun) which provided a perfect 1:1 match.

Taps are set for 20 (red) and
40 (yellow) Meters Vertical

John - KC7NVE took this photo of my
Vertical BoddiPole Configuration

Curt - Fixing Breakfast

The two breakfasts were Provided and Cooked by Curt - WR5J (of West Seattle Amateur Radio Club) and Bill - N7AOB of our local pQRP group.

Very good food and drink the first thing each morning!

Salmon Burgers were Provided and Cooked Bar-B-Que Style by Doug - W7RDP.

Most other meals were potluck style, with lots of choices and snacks.

Good Food

Doug also arranged to have K7S as our special event call sign.

Doug, Rich, and Thom were the big contributors to the Free Parts Swap tables, some parts were from; industry, personal collections, and other from local SKs.

The Technical Presentations and Several Group Discussions were enjoyed by all.

Roger - K7RXY at the Mic in Group Discussion
on Surface Mount Soldering and
De-soldering Techniques

Thom - k7FZO and Teena of Valley Camp helped with most of the Activities.

Our Thanks To: Thom and Teena
(A Toner Transfer PCB Plaque was made with the above image)

Some Toner Transfer Examples
PCB Projects, Front Panels, and Plaques

For my part, I provided Soft Drinks, and then did a Toner Transfer Demonstrations, with the help of unsuspecting volunteers; Alan - K6ZY, Thom - K7FZO and Rich - AC7MA. Note: the upper right of the photo, the second Surface Mount (very old, 500 watt) Soldering Iron !

Example
Toner Transfer Front Panel

My Tent, Radio Station and BuddiPole Set Up

At my tent, Jeff - KO7M and Bob - AD7BP - helped me setup and configure a new Signalink-USB Adapter for some FT-817 fun.

The IC-730 and FT-817 Stations were powered by a single deep cycle 12 Volt Auto Battery.

Tess on Camp Alert !
Or, is she just looking for her Ball ?

And of course, Tess (my dog) provided Security and Leash Line Entanglement around my camp site.

--