2008 Southeastern VHF Society
Annual Award for Design Achievement
The SVHFS is pleased to
announce the continuance of its "Design competition for the advancement in
circuit design of VHF through Microwave and related circuitry". This
competition commonly know as the SVHFS Design Contest will take place again
this year culminating with the final judging at this years conference in
Orlando FL on April 26th.
This competition has brought about many great
designs for the VHF/UHF/Microwave amateur community. This year it promises to
keep the tradition by attempting to attract designers from outside of the
Southeast region of the
Rules for the contest
are simple and straight forward and can be reviewed in the judging criteria
section on the following pages. Basically the designs should be "Hardware
Oriented"
centered around VHF, UHF,
and Microwave operation and auxiliary circuits.
This years awards will be like the past. The First place Winner will receive the Grand prize of $2500 in prizes and gift certificates. The second place prize will have a $500 value. Third and fourth place prizes will carry a $200 value.
After reading the Judging Criteria, If you have any questions and/or wish to express the desire
to participate, please contact
Steve
Kostro, N2
design@downeastmicrowave.com. I will be more than happy to discuss any details with you concerning the Design contest, contest rules, design criteria, Deadline Dates, or your design in general.
The following Judging criteria will be posted at the Southeast VHF Society's web site http://www.svhfs.org,, at this years conference sponsor, the Florida Weak Signal Society's web page http:// www.flwss.net
, and at
the Down East Microwave web site,
http://www.downeastmicrowave.com
Judging Criteria for the 2008 SVHFS Design Contest
Circuit designs should focus on VHF through Microwave applications
or IF signal processing for this range. Competition is open to any SVHFS
member. Conference
attendance includes your membership fee. Design entries will be
final judged by the
Design Contest Panel ( the Panel)
at the 2008 conference on April. 26th. The Design Contest Panel Chairman is
Steve Kostro, N2
Entries will be critiqued in 5 categories
listed below. Point vales are
0-5. per category with a
perfect score being 25 or more
points. Extra points may be awarded as stated below.
Judging Categories
1. For new and innovative circuit
designs, or novel uses of the components used. Complexity is not the key to winning. A simple circuit may demonstrate the novel use of a component and
will be judged on par with all other entrants.
An example of
Innovation may be a control circuit or interface (including microprocessors) that promote ease of use,
protection, safety, or improved
performance of any VHF/UHF/Microwave RF
or IF device used in Amateur Radio. Extra points will be awarded for
"Extreme Cleverness" by
impressing the judges!
2. For exceptional circuit performance measured against established norms.
Demonstration of functionality is mandatory! All designs submitted
will be subject to a performance test during the conference at the Panel's
discretion. Example: You may be responsible to demonstrate the function of a
power amplifier or make a contact with a laser transceiver. Extra points may be
awarded for performance
beyond what is considered the established norm.
3. For construction technique, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. This is a design contest but neatness does count. If you submit a black box, the Panel will require a visual internal inspection. You are not required to have professionally made circuit boards but if your construction skills are lacking, you may have the submitted design assembled by some one else. The goal is to provide the Judges the opportunity to establish the relationship of the hardware to the documents provided and provide a clear view of the physical design.
4. For documentation, schematics, publication of design and presentation. Full documentation of the design will be made available with the hardware at design submission time. Neatness and organization is a must! A short presentation (15 Min. Maximum) of the design made to the Panel and is mandatory. Expect a question and answer period. A proxy presenter may be utilized with advanced permission of the Panel chairman.
Designs submitted in time for inclusion in the
Conference Proceedings will receive extra points. Extra points will also
be awarded for a conference presentation and will be used in lieu of the Panel
presentation.
5.
Designs should be original work, practical, and use readily available
components. The design should be
reproducible by any willing
amateur radio operator. It
should be generic in nature but in example, could be focused on one type of amateur
transceiver or accessory. No exotic software driven designs! Components
utilized may be surplus or obsolete as long as a valid source for procurement
is listed. No "One
of a Kinds" ! It should be original
work but sometimes there is a better way of doing an existing circuit. Please state the design
goal and inspiration of the design in the
documentation.
Design Contest Deadline Dates and Times
Feb. 15th. Notification to Chairman by e-mail of design entry
Feb. 29th Submission
of paper to be published in SVHFS proceedings (SVHFS2008@downeastmicrowave.com)
This is extra credit.
Mar. 21st Preliminary Documentation due to Chairman by
e-mail
Apr. 25th Design submission by
Apr. 26th Design presentation starts