Rex Harper, the Bob Ross of DIY radio, master kit-builder, and build-a-thon leader extraordinaire , will hold the first of the convention's two build-a-thons -- both with a test-gear theme. At Friday's event, you'll assemble a bidirectional watt meter for QRP work, good for accurately measuring transmitter output and VSWR at power levels up to 10 watts. This kit will require soldering, so it's best to bring a simple tool kit: wire stripper, needle-nose pliers, a small pair of wire-cutters, a small soldering iron, 60-40 rosin-core solder, and a small soldering-iron stand or rest. A
spring clamp can act as a useful third hand when soldering. A small hand-magnifying lens (or your phone's camera) also can be helpful for confirming color codes on small parts. Rex is bringing a few tools if someone forgets an item. But he doesn't have enough for everyone in the room. For details on the builds and instructions on how to sign up, visit
https://www.dukecityhamfest.org/buildathon.
