ARLA/CLUSTER: Concurso Inovação Radioamadoristica - anunciados vencedores da primeira fase

[João Gonçalves Costa]

Eight entries were received in the Innovation Competition sponsored by Multisource and Icom. Two winners were selected by the SA Amateur Radio Development Trust.

Deon Coetzee, ZR1DE, submitted a proposal for the development of a platform for a tracking Directional Antenna. The project proposal describes the development of an operational platform of both the mechanical structure as well as the electronic system required for the control of directional antennas such as for instance a parabolic dish type tracking a moving signal source such as a satellite.

Hannes Coetzee submitted 6 proposals of which one was chosen for immediate further development. The others will be developed as articles for Radio ZS later this year. 
His proposal for a simple, innovative ground station using modern, state-of-the-art RF IC's in conjunction with a Personal Computer equipped with a sound card is proposed for the reception of satellite downlink signals. Software Defined Radio (SDR) offers the opportunity to join the fun, learn about the future of radio and enjoy all the power of Digital Signal Processing offered by a PC without having to break the bank.

Both entrants have until 15 May to finalise their designs and produce a prototype to be presented at the annual SA Amateur Radio Development Trust Award function to be held in Midrand on 6 June 2011. The winner will be presented with an ICOM7000 HF transceiver by the Managing Director of Multisource, Richard Smuts-Stein.