DARC Lecture and Lab August 2021

These are the easy-to-build cores of the 1:1 balun and 1:49 transformer you’ll be assembling.

Join the DARC for Lecture and Lab August 28th, 2021 from 11am until 2 pm Central Time virtually via Google Meet. (The virtual meeting ID/Link is always on the W5FC event calendar) You will get to build two easy kits: a 1:1 choke balun and a 49:1 impedance transformer. Both will be enclosed in waterproof PVC enclosures and neither kit will require precision soldering. The balun will be constructed to hang below the center of your dipole, and the transformer will be set up for use at one end of an end-fed half-wave antenna. To pick up your kit, you will need to come to the front parking lot of the Dallas Medical Center on August 21st, 2021 from 10:30 – 11:30 to pick up your kit from the Dallas Medical Center parking lot from Tony, NT5TM.

The DARC has about 15 kits total, and you may purchase one kit per attendee. If we have left over kits, we will let you know! You do NOT need to be a club member to purchase a kit or to attend this event. Everyone is welcome. This project requires soldering – so be sure to have your soldering gear and a few basic tools such as a step drill bit or 5/8″ bit. Other necessary tools will be listed in the instructions as soon as they are ready. See the form below to let us know you would like to purchase a kit and attend the virtual event.

Kit Instructions REVISED as of 9/18/2021

Please click here to view the instructions for kit assembly.

Gather your Tools:

A drill, corded or cordless.
Wire cutters.
Needle-nose pliers.
4-inch or 6-inch adjustable wrench OR a set of small sockets with a small handle.
Philips #2 screwdriver, “stubby” or full-sized.
Sharpie or other permanent marker for PVC pipe.
Soldering iron.
Solder.
Terminal crimper.
Drill bits.
1/8” for #6 screws.
5/32” for wires.
11/64” for zip ties, eye bolts, and #8 screws.
Step bit or 5/8” drill bit.
Tape measure.
Electrical tape.
#8 Machine screw installation requires either an offset Philips screwdriver, files for flattening the screw heads, or a rotary tool.
[optional] Files or steel wool for smoothing ends of PVC pipe.
[optional] Your choice of weatherproofing sealant: hot glue, acrylic or silicone caulk, Liquid Nails, PVC cement, etc.
[optional] The PVC end caps are optional; if you don’t use them (to allow for increased power handling), use your sealant on the inside of the coax connector.

Kit Cost: $30.00.

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