[chbot] Robotics Group meeting, 5 Idris Rd, 630pm, Monday 16 Oct 2023 report

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Good turnout with 22 attendees, and lots of huddles-of tech-talk. $30 + 
change (in gold, and flat-money) collected and transferred into the 
robotics loose-change jar (for later banking).

All sales from the trading table should go into the brown box on the 
wall, and are directly for the benefit of our host club, Christchurch 
Amateur Radio Club, NZART Branch 05.

Equipment donations are welcome for the trading table, but no CRT based 
product, printers, toner or items that are likely to be a disposal burden.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

----------

Mark opened the evening with a summary of detectors for ionizing 
radiation including the venerable Geiger Muller tube, as well as the 
much more interesting crystal-scintillator and photomultiplier technology.

Some interesting YouTube videos were talked about including a doco about 
the US Government run Rocky Flats facility that manufactures parts for 
nuclear weapons, and the associated raid by the EPA and FBI in 1989 (!). 
Also, a video by Cody (and his lab) and an attempt to use sodium metal 
and water as a rocket propellant.

Darren gave the group a tutorial about IPV6; how it is being adopted, 
and how we will be affected as network users.

Graham C had some questions, and led a discussion about MgCdTe (Mercury 
Cadmium Telluride) sensors. His interest relates to their use by a 
methane-sensing earth imaging satellite, whose data is being used by a 
local school.

Andy G brought along his latest acquisition, a 5kW RF PVC welding machine.

Volker talked about his Arduino based, Hot Water Controller project.

Robin G brought in a huge pile of electronic scrap, for use by Robotics 
members. Our host club can use the remaining material as they fee fit.