Saturday, June 8, 2013

2013 ARRL JUNE VHF QSO PARTY

Once again did some of the SLAMS members participate on a VHF+ contest. I have set up equipment for 144/432/1296/10368GHz in my usual location at YMCA in Westport, EM48sq.

The location actually is identified by following Maidenhead grid designator (according to my GPS): 

EM48SQ58AX

It was one of the hot days, so common in St. Louis. Temperature only 85F, but direct sunshine. I was quite dehydrated in the evening. Even my 23cm transverter didn't like the sunshine and started tripping the temperature protection on me. Covering the box with newspaper fixed the problem, but it gives everybody an idea how hot the day was.

Best achievement for me today was ~200 miles QSO on 432MHz with Zack W9SZ using my 11el. portable Yagi and <5W of RF output from my FT817. I have also worked Zack on 144 and 1296MHz today, but not on 10368MHz.

my usual setup


antennas "from behind"


another view of my setup


That "eggbeater" worked fine
even on my 200 miles QSO
with W9SZ on 144MHz.

This contest always "opens the season". I will post some more pictures from future contests here as usual.

73 Herbert
AF4JF