Finally Some Radio-Activity!

I have finally returned from a set of business trips. My job currently seems to be slowing down, looks like I will finally have some time for my ham radio hobby.

I have installed my 23cm looper antenna (still on temporary pole, but operational). Hope to set up more antennas before the ARRL VHF contest next month!

We have already attempted to test this antenna with KO0Z (full report here). 

73 Herbert

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

SPRINT - last microwave contest of the season

I have attended the SPRINT contest from YMCA parking lot in EM48sq on Saturday, September 29, 2012. This was my last microwave activity of the season, for I have to make series of business trips for the rest of the year.

I have achieved one significant goal today - finally, after nearly a year of trying and trying, I have worked Zack W9SZ on 10GHz CW from his location in EN50rl, over 160 miles away. This is my grid #6 from my YMCA location. Thanks for all the patience, Zack!

More details about today's SLAMS club event are available here.

My station today

Terrain profile

Hepburn chart

Weather conditions

Vapor image

(I believe that this made the difference)

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL VHF Contest

I have spent several hours making QSOs in the ARRL VHF Contest today. Chosen location for this was Winfield, MO in EM49 once again. I went there to test this new location on 23cm and for another attempt on 10GHz with Garth W0GR. There were several attempts made during last two weeks, see my other posting here. There even was a successful attempt earlier this week, described in my posting here.

EM49pa

I have heard Garth on 10368.1 MHz about S2-3 in the morning, right at the sunrise in my location. My dish antenna was pointing 5deg. up. Generally, Garth's signal was much weaker than during our last successful attempt earlier this week. Neither Garth nor myself have copied the WB9PNU/B beacon on 10GHz this morning. We didn't make full 2-way QSO today.

Pointing 270deg. towards W0GR

Garth didn't copy my signal on 10GHz this morning. However, we managed to work each other on 144MHz, 432MHz and 1296MHz with solid copy on each band. 

Eggbeater for 144 and Yagi for 1296 and 432MHz

I have also worked John WB9PNU from his home in EM48tm on 144, 432 and 1296MHz and Jim N5MU who was testing another promising portable location in St. Peters area, EM48qr on 144 and 1296MHz.

Pointing  432/1296MHz at John/Jim in EM48

Overall, a successful test, even without complete 10GHz QSO with W0GR. It's nearly 200 miles to his location and we managed full 2-way contact on 1296MHz, after all.

Included below are pictures from the nearby River Dam and Lock in Winfield.

I will certainly return to this beautiful location, either for more HAM QSOs or just to enjoy the view of the huge Mississippi River!

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL VHF and SPRINT Microwave Contests

I will be QRV on 144-432-1296 and 10368 from EM49pa in the ARRL VHF Contest this coming Sunday 09/09 between 6:30am - approx. 10:00am.

Going to a series of business trips after that. However, I should be in St. Louis for last weekend of September.

I expect to attend SPRINT Microwave contest on Saturday 09/29 from EM48 and EM49 as a ROVER, using 1296 and 10368 only. My intention is to MOVE around EM49 in order to find good new location and also make at least one QSO from EM48 to qualify for the ROVER category.

That will be the end of my microwave activities this year. Not even a MAD activity until February. Might be able to attend SLAMS breakfast on Sunday, 12/02.

Looking forward for QSOs with you!

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL "10GHz And Up" Contest 1/2 - Day 2

I have set up at YMCA in St. Louis (EM48sq) today. Main intention was to try work Zack W9SZ from EN50 and Ron from EM59. Weather was somewhat cloudy with little chance for Rain Scatter. It was raining a little when I arrived at the hill, so I have "installed" an "all-weather-option" on top of my 10GHz station:

First of all, I have heard Zack W9SZ when aimed my dish at an airplane departing from the Lambert St. Louis airport! He was S9 but this propagation didn't last long - that airplane was departing West, almost perpendicularly to the path between Zack and me. Tried again with next airplane, no luck. Maybe we should find a spot in the direction of main runway next time .. ?

Tried with Ron KO0Z later and heard him S9+. Ron was in EM59cm today, little bit North of his usual location, which gave me clear view in his direction from YMCA. However, he didn't hear me. Tried several times, then found a damaged transfer relay at my dish antenna .. the relay was switching (means clicking), but the "TX" path didn't connect. I have to check my sequencer before replacing the relay, which can't be done on hilltop, so this contest ended for me and I have returned home at 9:30am.

Before leaving YMCA, I have taken a picture of the view towards EM49pa from the garbage dumpster behind the building where N5MU worked me from on yesterday - it's actually very good spot for that direction!

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL "10GHz And Up" Contest 1/2 - Day 1

I have set up in EM49pa near Winfield, MO, just off MO-79 and MO-N highways for the first day of this contest. The intention here was to find new location in EM49 closer to my house than the AT&T tower near Dow in IL where we usually go.

There were several promising locations above 700ft a.s.l. in the wooded area north of Foley, MO but there also was a problem - a bridge under repair between Foley and Winfield. Detour was huge, so I decided to set up in the lowlands (430ft.) close to the river for today.

I arrived just for sunrise, exactly as planned. Picture doesn't nearly capture how nice it looks!

Following two pictures show my 10GHz antenna and my 144MHz omnidirectional "eggbeater".

The higher ground on opposite side of the Mississippi River turned out to be a "little" problem - I didn't work anybody from that direction. However, there was nobody closer than ~100 miles, so it might not be caused by these hills after all (picture taken towards East).

Next picture shows the view in opposite direction (West). These hills sure aren't looking 300+ ft. higher than my location!

Anyway, after 4 hours of trying, I have only worked N5MU from EM48sq (27 miles) and WA0CNS from EM48rl (38 miles). These two QSOs proved that this location is good for QSOs with stations in St. Louis area and that was the main goal today. I will have to keep looking for more elevated spot in this area for long-range QSOs with stations located across the Mississippi River.

ARRL "10GHz And Up" Contest 1/2

First leg of the ARRL 10GHz Contest will take place next weekend, August 18-19, see rules here.

I intend to set up for 10GHz in EM49pa just North of Winfield, MO on Saturday August 18 in the morning.

I will set up at YMCA in Maryland Heights, MO, EM48sq on Sunday August 19 in the morning.

Call me on 144.260MHz to try 10GHz contact.

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL UHF Contest

I have decided to attend the ARRL UHF Contest on August 4-5, 2012. However, my own body didn't accept my own mind's decision and went on agenda of its own - I have developed a bad case of virus-based summer illness. Thanks to that, my Saturday plans went to the range of SCI-FI (I have planned to install my 55el. 23cm looper on my house) and I have spent the day mostly in bed.

Sunday didn't start bad. I was able to wake up pretty early and get to my usual hilltop at YMCA in EM48sq. I have packed everything up, checked Rain Scatter conditions, read last email from Zack W9SZ who agreed to continue in our usual game of trying for 10GHz QSO between EN50rl and EM48sq and went to the hilltop.

This was the first time for my new 70cm Cushcraft antenna and new cable for my 23cm Comet. The "LMR400" cable with "N" connectors replaced my old "RG213" with "UHF" connectors which is used to feed my new 70cm antenna now. See following pictures:

Everything actually looked pretty good, except of the mess on the little folding table. This is mostly for my 35W PA for 1296MHz which needs 24V. I didn't have time to make new wiring for second 12V battery, so the only option for today was a power inverter and switched power supply for the PA. I promise to finish all that until next contest.

I have flipped the switch and immediately got hit with a booming sound - N2BJ from EN61 was "full scale" (that's a gross understatement) along with several other stations on 432MHz SSB/CW. I have worked some when Jim N5MU arrived. He worked some of them too. I have originally intended to use the 70cm radio only to contact Zack W9SZ before trying for 10GHz, so I didn't bother to bring a PA. I have only run 432MHz with 5W from my FT817 IF radio today.

W9ZIH was skeptic about trying for 23cm, so I didn't ask for it. However, his 70cm signal kept growing and when he agreed to try 1296MHz with WB9PNU, I have "cut in" and called him first. Perfect QSO, my first with W9ZIH on 23cm CW! We kept listening to Ron and I have asked to try on 10GHz when other stations stopped calling him.

I have copied W9ZIH on 10368.101 MHz immediately, but weak. Discovered quickly that his signal is coming from "above", but aiming my dish 15degrees up fixed that. I also discovered that it is coming right through a nearby tree:

It took about 20 minutes to complete the 10GHz QSO, but it is done. My grid #5 for VUCC on 10GHz from this location!

Ron played the 10GHz WB9PNU/B beacon back to us on 70cm, full S9 at his place, 237 miles away! We have called other SLAMS members to try, but when Ron KO0Z tried 23cm with Ron W9ZIH, the good propagation was gone, so they never got to trying 10GHz.

I haven't heard from Zack, W9SZ before I left the hill. Called Ron KO0Z from home once more and learned that Zack was on the air with him, but I was at home already. Well, we will make our 10GHz contact next time, some other day ...

I have also worked Ron KO0Z on 220MHz from home, but that's another story.

73 Herbert

SPRINT Microwave Contest May 5, 2012

Once again have SLAMS members participated on a microwave contest from the YMCA parking lot in the St. Louis West County, EM48sq with 1296MHz and 10368MHz equipment. Weather was very hot even early in the morning, got myself a sunburn as usual. Mel K0PFX and Jim KK0JIM shared the heat with me. I installed my 10GHz and 1296MHz stations, Mel has brought a 10GHz station too.

Jim and Mel aiming antennas

Mel and Herbert (sitting) listening to 10GHz

Nice view towards NW

MAD Day and Sprint Microwave Contest

The Microwave Sprint takes place on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 6 AM until 1 PM local time.

I am planning on setting up in EM48sq (the YMCA parking lot in West St. Louis County) with 10GHz and probably also 1296MHz stations. Depending on activities of our SLAMS microwave group, I might switch to a Rover and drive around our area to make some more contacts.

Microwave misc.

Following pictures were on my "af4jf.com" web site when Microsoft announced discontinuing their web-hosting service. These pictures weren't enough for dedicated Page on this Blog, so I am adding them here to preserve them.

Dish for 1296MHz

My first 10GHz station in use

Getting ready for contest operation in EM49ua

DEMI Transverter 10GHz with 2W PA

ARRL Microwave Contest 2011 1/2

First portion of the ARRL 10GHz+ microwave contest was a success. We have had 5 stations with 10GHz dishes here in St. Louis plus one visiting close to our area. Plenty of QSOs were made!

Picture shows (left-to-right) dishes of:

  AF4JF, K0PFX, N5MU and WA0CNS

On other hilltops working us were:

   WB9PNU with KO0Z and W9SZ

ARRL Microwave Contest 2011 1/2

Next  big contest is 2011 ARRL 10GHz+ Contest (1/2) .

This is a long contest, third full weekend of August. Begins 6:00 am local on Saturday, ends 12:00 Midnight local on Sunday (August 20-21, 2011). Operations may take place for 24 hours total.

All authorized microwave bands from 10 GHz up through Light.

SLAMS will meet at local DENNY's restaurant on Dorsett Rd. (just off I-270) on Saturday at 6:00 am for quick breakfast and continue to EM48sq (big parking lot at YMCA on McKelvey Rd.). Some of us will stay there, some will move around the area later during the day.

2011 ARRL JUNE VHF QSO PARTY

I have just participated on a VHF contest:

      2011 ARRL June VHF QSO Party

Nice .. the only problem was that my recent medication affects my vocal chords, so that I kept loosing my voice after every 3rd QSO or so. What a nightmare in a contest with 50MHz band wide open! Good thing that I am actually a CW operator, so I was able to make some nice QSOs and even got myself some new DXCC entities, such as CO (Cuba) on 6m!

I have used my old FT-847 (50W) and antennas as shown on this picture (yes, that includes the 50-144-432 vertical):

      AF4JF VHF antennas

Submitted a log with 1053 points. Better than nothing ;)

Microwave SPRINT Contest

Well, another contest is behind us. SPRINT Microwave was just a short one. In addition to that, conditions were as poor as Hepburn propagation charts were black. One CW QSO from EM48 to EM49. My 3rd grid for the YMCA location in EM48sq, good!

I have tested my new Netbook for weak signal detection. It worked well, actually displayed a signal (-17dB) below threshold of audibility. Used WSJT waterfall, planning on WinRad soon.

Attached screenshot shows our local FSK beacon on 10 368.9 MHz. Signal is way over S9, which is why the traces are doubled on the screen (see week copies to the right).

SPRINT contests - Spring 2011

First SPRINT contest of this season takes place tomorrow, Monday Apr. 11, 2011 from 7 to 11 pm local time.

Some info here.

I am going to participate after coming from work, hope to make some QSOs. I currently have 2x12 el. Yagi and bare FT-847. I am NOT going to use Internet or phone during the contest, so don't try to call.

73!

Entering 2011 contesting season with 10GHz equipment

I am ready to participate on microwave contests and various ham radio activities in 2011 using 10GHz DEMI transverter with 2W of output power and offset dish antenna:

The "microwave" section of my web site contains more pictures:

     http://af4jf.com/10GHZ.aspx