By Howard Bernstein, WB2UZE
Local members:
Bud, W2BUD
Jim, W2KFV (ARRL section manager)
Ed, N2GSL
John, AC2KZ
Bob, KD2NFS
Neil, W2NDG
Howard, WB2UZE
Peter, AA2VG
Nick, KF2P
Hal, WA2AKV
Russ, N2FRB
John, W2ABO
Gary, KE2YK
Rob, AC2KQ
Bob, W2OSR
LIMARC: (Long Island Mobile ARC)
Rich, K2KNB
Tim, N2RDB
Gladys, KC2YFT
Les, K2TGW
Berge, KC2SBO
Remote members on Zoom:
Aug, AG5AT
Emil, N2EMI
Rich, N5RWF
Russ, K1RWT
Paul, W5NWT
Tony, N6PJ
Stan, AE7UT
Byron, KD9JFL
The single lever paddle keyer kits (ex. QRPguys) came in small packages and once put together were about the size of a cigarette pack. The clubs were very fortunate to have Neil, W2NDG as moderator. Neil is a very experienced kit builder, giving very clear and concise build instructions to the members locally and on Zoom. The attendees were very pleased to see how well everything worked logistically and short of being in New York, it was a very effective way for out-of-state members to participate.
There were varying degrees of kit building skills in the New York build but there were enough experienced members giving excellent guidance to those that needed help. The kits’ parts all fit together nicely too. There were times one needed 3 hands but experienced builders had the techniques needed. I sat next to Russ, N2FRB, who is capable of building a kit without reading the instructions. (This skill was pretty amazing to me). I had quite a good Elmer right by my side to show how to assemble and solder, as it has been many years since I’ve even picked up a soldering iron.
The build ran about three-and-a-half hours and everybody successfully completed their kits. All units worked right off the bat with the exception of one which they tried to unsuccessfully troubleshoot. Further work will be done on that kit. Participants are looking forward to doing this event again, perhaps in November and can decide in the next few months what kind of kit and the degree of difficulty to go for.
I would like to thank all the members for their support and participation and also a special thank you to LIMARC and their president Rich K2KNB for partnering with us and making the Levittown Town Hall available for the Build. It was very gratifying to have a joint venture between 2 clubs and Rich was very accommodating.
I have a feeling that this might have been the first ham radio Build A Thon that was simultaneously held on video conference.We all had a great time and look forward to doing this again in the future.
Regards,
Howard WB2UZE