The Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum was formed on the 1 September 2002 in
the Southern Cape Region (Knysna, George, Mossel Bay) with the main
objective " To promote the homebrew of amateur radio equipment
as well as the construction of electronic test equipment amongst new-
as well as interested radio amateurs". The forum was dis-banded in 2008. Four Homebrew CD's were released containing several interesting amateur radio projects and information.
OTHER OBJECTIVES:
- To promote the use of VHF/UHF/GHZ bands (all modes) amongst radio amateurs for the purpose of experimentation and long distance (DX) communications.
- To promote radio experimentation and to provide information thereof to fellow radio amateurs and members.
- To arrange meetings, lectures, demonstrations, competitions or other activities with regard to Amateur Radio or to be held to the benefit of radio amateurs.
- Providing emergency communication facilities, through its members, to the Government of South Africa and/or Local Authority or any other organization, in times of emergency.
- Recruiting of new members for the Forum, the S.A.R.L. and Amateur Radio.
- Interacting with the community and organizations where and when practical.
- Ensuring the observance by its members of the laws and regulations relating to radio communications.
- To promote the art of constructing (home brewing) amateur radio equipment and test gear.
PROJECTS:
The following is a few projects that were constructed and experimented with by the Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum:
- Simplex Repeater
- 2m Beacon in the Southern Cape
- 2m 145.775 Mhz Experimental Repeater construction, setup and use
- ZS1I Soundcard Interface building
- 2m Musical Transmissions (Now illegal)
- 80m AM Music Transmissions
- GIZMO BBS setup and usage
- GIZMO Technical CD's compiled and distributed
- Kids Day Technical Demonstrations and Constructing a simple electronic project
- Several HF Experimental Beacons. (Various frequencies including voice beacons)
- Constructing of VHF/UHF Contest Antennas. (Various which resulted in winning several contests)
- Participating in the PEARS VHF/UHF Contest and setting up a station at the Point to promote amateur radio.
- Setting up an APRS Digipeater and Igate.
- Various others to many to mention here.
MEMBERSHIP:
The Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum is not a club. Membership is only by invitation via a Founder Member of the Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum.
FURTHER PARTICULARS:
Callsign: ZS1GZ
Postal Address: Gizmo Amateur Radio Forum, Box 11488, HEIDERAND, 6511
Email via:
zs1i@mweb.co.za (not active anymore)
General Operating Frequency: 145.550 Mhz Simplex
Weekly Net: Monday to Friday evenings from 19h30 on-wards. Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 15h00 on-wards.
Images: Some of the forum members busy building the ZS1I Sound Card Interface.
