Nearly reaching the end of module 9.
This week it was wiring a plug, which the cadets to an acceptable standard.
One thing I did throw in was a ‘disaster area’ plug with 5 wiring faults which they had to identify.
Next week its fitting an RF connector to some coax.
Must remember the safety-specs.
[quote=“mike-foxtrot-lima” post=3960]
Next week its fitting an RF connector to some coax.
Must remember the safety-specs.[/quote]
Classic ‘civi’ Belling-Lee, PL259, BNC or other? Actually, you do get non-solder 259s, and there are the twist-on (or crimp) CCTV-style BNCs. Most envious that you can do this kind of thing… 
We just don’t (currently) have the accom to support even that level of engineering. Balsa and polystyrene cement is pushing the envelope for us.
wilf_san
We haven’t any of these resources on sqn; don’t mind the cadets using ‘my stuff’ as we get older cadets (usually NCOs) who should have gained a bit of CDF by then?
Prefer BNC - you can’t cross thread them!
In the field they are quieter and easier to connect in the dark.
We solder the centre pin and crimp the outer connector.
Some heatshrink over the ferrule and hot air gun it snug.
The BNC are picked up when they are on offer.
Also the exercise keeps me well stocked in ‘jumper cables’.
One cadet had endless fun playing with my box of inter-series connectors.
Still it keeps them off the streets.
Might make up a ‘disaster area’ connector for the cadets to critique.
Braid whiskers everywhere and centre pin not connected springs to mind.
Module 9 is now all but complete with the cadets having fitted their BNCs (2 off each) to make up a jolly useful patch lead.
I did get time to make up a ‘disaster area’ plug and they correctly identified all the faults.
Final bit on module 9 is consolidation then its a 3822 sign off for the lads.
Consolidation session complete.
Module 9 Now signed off.
Cadets working on the Internet module themselves.
Finding bits for a VHF base station.
By “bits” I mean all the stuff you need apart from the radio…
Have now got a bunch of cadets to teach for first class.
Hope they don’t mind being taught ‘backwards’…
First thing on the slides I’ve been given is the two types of Net.
Usually the last thing I teach … first thing is to grab attention by putting a radio in their hands.