Bryan awarded his certificate and ribbon

Next step? District Science Fair

Hanalani says that Bryan can now enter his science fair project into the District Science Fair if he wants to. We think he should do it, just for the experience of it. He's not so sure and it means more work. He has to submit a 5 page literature review if he wants to participate. He is intimidated by that, so we are researching it to understand what it is better.

What do you think? Should he take his display to the District?

Placed in the top 5 of 48!

The winners were announced last night at Parent's Night at Hanalani Schools and Bryan placed in the top 5 of 48 entries in his age group! His ribbon says Honorable Mention. This is the second year in a row that Bryan has placed in the top 5! Congratulation's Bryan!

Done!

Bryan will turn in his science fair project on Amateur Television tomorrow.

Building the Display Board

Results Graphs

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The Final Test

Today we did a lot of testing. We got to borrow two yagi antennas from Hank (kh6hak) and Chuck(nh7xl). We found a stretch of road along the way to Haleiwa that goes a mile, so we tested there. We set up a transmitting station at N 21º 33.862 W 158º 04.423. The manual we looked at said that with 2 yagi directional antennas we should be able to have a good signal for 8 miles. So I got all set up and we started to test. The first test was at point blank range, the signal quality for that test was video:10 audio:10. Then my dad drove away 1\10 of a mile, and the quality there was video:6, audio:9. Then he drove to 3\10 of a mile , and the signal quality there was video:3, audio:7. Then my dad tried to recalibrate the receiver. Afterwards,we could only receive video. So we did another round of testing.

The first test was at point blank range and the video quality was 10. Then we went to 150 feet, and the video quality was 8. Then we tested at 350 feet away, and the video quality there was a 7. Then we went to 375 feet apart and the quality there was 6. Then we went to 440 feet and the signal quality was 3. After that its was uncopyable.

I think we had difficulty because of our very low power, and cheap receiver.

Fixing minor problems

Yesterday I cut out holes for the batteries so they don't rattle. I also drilled a hole for the antenna connecter to come out of.

Testing

Yesterday we did some testing. We discovered that it has to be line of sight to get a clear signal. We also discovered that everything in the box rattles and makes a lot of noise, so I'm going have to fix it today. Also the camera rotates so i have to secure that to.

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Arrow Antenna

Today Dad brought home a Yagi directional antenna from Hank (kh6hak) which I get to borrow. A Yagi antenna is a directional beam antenna. There are three parts to a Yagi antenna, the reflector, radiator, and directors. The more directional parts there are on the antenna the more powerful it is in that direction, but less powerful in any other direction. This antenna will hopefully maximize my range for my project.