This week:
*Solid State Devices by VE3SUY
*On-Air Instruction by VE3EJJ and VE3OIJ
This week’s class started with me discretely handing off my “IC-2381: Application and Report for Amateur Radio Operator Certificate and Call Sign” form to Ernie so that I would be registered as VE3BUX as soon as possible.
This week’s session started with a detailed discussion of the properties of solid state devices, starting with a very loose review of chemistry / crystal lattice theory. Bob (VE3SUY) gave an extremely detailed lecture which left most people with the look of deer in the headlights, and for good reason! The material is not at all intuitive, and for many, it was likely their first real exposure to the electrical and physical properties of solid state devices. Having taken in years of physic and chemistry theory at University, I had a fun review of some old (to me) topics. I would love a chance to review/revise some of the club literature for its chemistry/physics material, though I think it may be a bit premature.
After the very heavily theory oriented portion of this week’s session was finished, we were led to VE3JW (the OVMRC club station) where we were then given a great overview of the station’s operation by Darin (VE3OIJ) and Ernie (VE3EJJ). The class took turns operating a VHF/UHF transceiver to speak with a few fellow club members to get people on the air. I stood shyly in the corner, watching people make their first contacts.
It was great for everyone to finally see the station being operated. I think it reassures some of my cohort that there -is- a purpose to all of this theory.
After the on-air instruction was finished, I lingered to talk with Ernie a bit which is always a bonus. I quite enjoy the debriefing sessions with the class instructors once everyone else has left.
Ernie vowed to help me get over being mic-shy. We’ll see … 🙂
After arriving home from the class, I decided that I would modify my personal study notes in an effort to provide fully-worked example calculations for both the Basic and the Advanced exams. I mean, how many equations would that have to be? Right?