The first day of camp was all about hands-on DIY antenna building. Two technical workshops were prepared, focusing on crafting custom antennas. Participants were divided into two groups: while one group focused on building a 3-element UHF antenna, the second group in the adjacent room worked on creating an HF antenna.
For the 3-element UHF Yagi antenna, participants learned how to build a direction-finding antenna using accessible, clever materials. They carefully cut precise lengths of metal tape measure for the elements, sanded down the paint to solder them to a dedicated printed circuit board along with an SMA connector, and secured everything onto a PVC tube boom using 3D-printed mounts, heat shrink tubing, and zip ties. The flexible tape elements allow the antennas to easily fold down for transport—making them instantly ready for portable use!
Meanwhile, the second group tackled an HF antenna—specifically, a portable End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) antenna. Participants assembled an impedance transformer inside a custom 3D-printed enclosure and measured out 41 meters of durable DX-Wire. Designed for quick field deployment, these multi-band antennas were put to work immediately for the rest of the week.
The grand finale of the day was the famous and beloved Intercultural Evening. Each country brought a taste of their local culture, presenting traditional sweet and savory treats alongside iconic national drinks. Many teams showcased their heritage not only through food, but also by wearing traditional costumes. It is truly magical how an evening like this helps build lifelong friendships and inspires participants to visit each other long after camp ends.
