432 MHz AND ABOVE EME NEWS
JANYARY 2000 VOL 29 #01
ALLEN KATZ, K2UYH
Editor
ENGR DEPT., THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, TRENTON, NJ 08650-4700 (W 609-490-2817
OR H 443- 3184, FAX 609-443-1713, AND EMAIL:
Allen Katz, K2UYH
PRODUCTION ASSIST:
TOM KIRK, KA2VAD (908-521-2049).
NETNEWS EDITOR: G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY
SKEDS CORD & DIRECTORY: DL4EBY/DK0TU, KLAUS TIEDEMANN,
HALSKESTR.35, D-12167 BERLIN, (49-30-7955467), E-Mail:
Klaus Tiedemann.
EME WEB DIRECTORY by DL4EBY
***E-MAIL LIST CORD: Scott KD4LT***
*** NA EME BBS: 704-284-4854 ***
EME NETS
14.345, 10 AM ET SATURDAYS, AFTER VARO NET SUNDAYS:
CONDITIONS
Well we are made it to 2000 - what a celebration!
As anticipated the Christmas Eve SW was not over populated,
but some pretty good conditions and some excellent fellowship
rewarded those who showed up. A few stations were on earlier
in the week (22/23 Dec) for celebration of the closest Moon
Perigee in 133 years! Because of the short turn around between
the Dec and Jan SWs, this NL is a bit short. It does allow us
to clean up some of the loose ends from Dec. I want to report
that the 70 cm score reported for DL9KR was incorrect. Jan
ended with 118x35. Not enough to knock OH2PO out of the top
stop, but still enough to assure 2nd place. Dec did produce one
important milestone, the 1st 2 yagi to 2 yagi QSO on 70 cm
see EA3DXU and IK5QLO's reports.
AL7EB
Ed in Nikiski, Alaska (BP40iq) is planning EME
operation on 1296 and the microwave bands -- I have nearly
everything for 1296. The line-up is FT-847, DEMI 1296/144
xvtr, K9EK-7211 driver, OE9PMJ-TH-328, which I hope will
provide 500 W. Remaining to be completed is the 7211-PSU, LNA,
1-5/8" hardline, and putting up the 5 m dish, now resting in
pieces in my barn. I am hoping that this will all finally
happen this summer. Recently, I ordered the new DEMI 10368/144
xvtr and DB6NT EME preamp. I have a 2.57 m dish sitting in my
back yard just waiting for the electronics. This dish is a
former VSAT-ku-band, shipboard unit with computer controlled
3-axis mount and +/-45 deg polarity rotation. It is currently
plumbed with WR-90 waveguide to a prime feed. I'm hoping it
will make a good setup for 3 cm. With luck I will have it
operational for receiving tests possibly as soon as February.
Working on this in the middle of Alaska's winter can be a
challenge, so it will remain to be seen how successful I'll
be. As soon as I have it hearing on the Moon, I'll need help
locating a TWTA. There are little or no real sources for this
kind of equipment up here. You can reach me on e-mail at
al7eb@ptialaska.net.
DK3FB
Ruediger had the following contacts on 432 during the
2nd leg of the ARRL EME contest: DJ6MB, F5FLN, NC1I, DK3WG,
KD4LT, G3SEK, K2UYH, K5GW, ON5OF and finally DL3EAG. He found
conditions good inside Eur, but poor to JA. Ruediger ended up
with 21 contacts in both parts.
DL3EAG
Stephan had the following contacts on 70 cm during the
Nov part of the ARRL Contest: K2UYH, DJ6MB, G4ERG for initial
#51, JA5OVU, JL1ZCG, K5GW and DK3FB. His final contest score
was 21x12. CWNR were G3SEK, W7GBI (quite a long time), N4GJV,
7M2PDT and JA5NNS. Heard were DL1YMK, DF3RU, N9AB (much louder
than last SW - about 549 this time), F5FLN, OZ4MM (also much
louder than in the 1st leg), JH4JLV, OE5JFL (559!), F5FEN and
UT7Z (?). Stephan found conditions similar to DK3FB good to
Eur and NA, but poor to JA. He was not QRV for the Dec SW, but
instead following his 2nd hobby (skiing in the Alps).
DL9KR
Jan had a difficult year. He lost his mother in Sept
and had little time for EME. He looks forward to a brighter
2000. '99 did provide the following initials: 02 Jan VE3DEW
for #710, 27 Mar OE3JPC (new QTH) #711 and G4ERP #712, 28 Mar
RW1AW #713 and VE6TA (new QTH) #714, 17 April AL70B #715, 20
June JA6AHB (new QTH) #716, 14 Aug W7SZ #717 and 05 Sept
UA3PTW #718. I understand K8ISK is ex-WD8ISK. The contest went
smoothly with good conditions prevailing. However, activity
was the lowest in about 15 years. 123 different calls were
worked: on 30 Oct DJ3FI, S52CW, Y02IS, JLlZCG, 7M2PD2, IN3AGI,
JA2TY, JR1RCH, S51ZO, JA5NNS, FlCH, JA8IAD #719, DL9NDD,
G4ALH, OE3JPC, ON5OF, UT5EC, I5CTE, VE1ZJ, JA6AHB, F5FLN,
DK3FB, G4ERG, DL1YMK, DL4MEA, DF3RU, K1FO, RW1AW, HA1YA,
G3SEK, OH2PO, UA4API, OZ6OL, N2IQU, DK3WG, DL6WU, SM3AKW,
W8MQW, OZ4MM, PA3CSG, N9AB, PA3DZL, W7CNK, G3HUL, IK2EAD,
UA6LGH, K5WXN, W7SZ, K0RZ, W6DF, K5GW, OE5EYM, UT3LL, IK5QLO,
DL6NAA, UA9FAD, OM1TL, DK3BU, N4GJV, N3FA #720, KL7HFQ, AL70B,
W7BBM, EA3DXU, SK4BX, G3LTF, DL3EAG, VK4AFL, UA3PTW and
JH4JLV, on 31 Oct JR1EUX, F5FEN, DJ6MB, JR4IUH #721, JA3SGR,
ON4KNG, JS3SIM, NC1I, K8ISK, KB0VUK #722, W0KJY, KJ7F #723,
K2UYH, WB0GGM and PA0AVS, on 27 Nov VE6TA, CT1DMK, RV4AQ,
IK5WJD, KA0RYT, K4AR #724, WA4NJP, I5TDJ, WE2Y, F5KKD #725,
F5PMB = F5KKD, WW2R, W7GBI, DL8OBU, DL7APV, JA5OVU, JJ1NNJ,
JH0WJF #726, SM4IVE, IN3KLQ, DK0MM #727, DL1DWI #728, G4RGK,
F6GYH = F5KKD and F6GPU = F5KKD, and 28 Nov JHlXUJ, OE5JFL,
VE1ALQ, DM2AFN = DLlDWI, KD4LT, OH2DG, F5HRY, KB2AYU, W2WD,
DF4UE, DH5FS = DL1DWI and PA3DYS #729. The above list does not
include several dupes. It's always pleasant to work a new call
sign, but less pleasant to find out later that the call had
been used from a previously worked station; for example F5KKD
= F5PMB = F6GYH = F6GPU, or DL1DWI = DH5FS = DM2AFN. This all
boils down to a score of 118x35 = 413,000 points. Highlights
were working John, VE1ZJ, right in the middle of my JA window,
hearing AL70B well via his western window, working Warren,
W2WD after many years with excellent signals, and finally to
find out that I worked OE5JFL when he was using his dual
dipole feed alone!
EA3DXU
Josep sends word of the 1st 2 yagi to 2 yagi EME QSO
on 432 I QSO'd on 23 Dec at 0527 my friend
IK5QLO (O/O) in a
sked. After 6 and a half years of activity on 432 with 2 x 38
el M2 yagis and after many not successful skeds, it was
finally possible to complete the 1st ever 2 yagi to 2 yagi QSO
with the help of Moon perigee and very low sky noise. At the
beginning signals were very poor, and we were not able to hear
each other. After 15 minutes, sked conditions improved and
good signals were heard. After that signal strength raised
each period until by the end conditions were excellent and
could easily have permitted a Random QSO. The equipment at
IK5QLO's side was 2 x 28 el yagis and 1 kW. At my end I ran
my normal 2 yagis and 1,350 W. Now with the state of the art
of equipment on 144 and 432 MHz, it is not necessary to have a
big array to do some QSOs on EME. It is only necessary to have
good tropo equipment for QSOs with big guns. This result
should encourage well-equipped tropo or satellite stations to
try EME. I was also fortunate to complete the 1st 2 yagi to 2
yagi 144 MHz EME QSO on the 24 September of 1988, with PA0JMV.
I am sure that in the coming years 2 yagi to 2 yagi random
QSOs will become common on the 432 MHz band. Since last July I
have completed 13 initials and WAC on 432. QSO'd on 10 July
JA5NNS (M/O) for initial #101, on 10 Sept WE2Y (O/M) # 102, on
2 Oct AL7OB (M/M) #103 and DXCC 33 and JA6AHB (449/439) #104,
on 1 Nov OE3JPC (O/O) #105, 19 Nov KB8RQ (O/O) #106 and W7CNK
(O/M) #107, on 27 Nov UA9FAD (O/O) #108 and DXCC 34, W7GBI
(449/549) #109 on random and DL7APV (O/O) #110 also on
random, on 23 Dec IK5QLO (O/O) # 111, and on 25 Dec PY5ZBU
(O/O) #112 DXCC 35 and WAC(!), VK4AFL (O/O) #113 and JA2TY
(O/O) #114.
G3LTF
Peter has very little to report because of a
combination of strong gales and the flu which prevented any
operation over the Dec SW -- The worst of the storms missed
us, going 1st north and then south, but we did get 6" of snow
and some very strong gusts. I'm pleased to say that everything
survived. I would have liked to have tried operating in the
133 year Perigee! I'm really sorry to hear about all the
damage in F and DL. Having had 2 dishes almost destroyed by
hurricanes in 87 and 91 I can sympathize. I'm going to scan in
some photos of how I retract the dish here and email them to
you for the tech section. I've also done some simple analysis
of 19 years of EME contest operating looking for any evidence
to support my "gut feeling" that the US EME activity, on uhf,
is declining. I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Paul,
W4HHK. He was inspirational in many ways. The work he did and
the subsequent W4LTU article in QST kindled my interest in MS
operation in 1957. He was my 1st US 13 cm contact in 1992. We
visited him after the 1994 Memphis CSVHF conference and saw
the famous klystron, dish and tower. Sadly I never managed to
work him from this location, although I heard him - my ERP was
too low with the longer feeder run. We all will miss Paul.
G3SEK
Ian has sent the following general comments on the
selection of SWs in response to WA6KBL's comments see
Jeffrey's report -- There are several factors that make a
difference between one weekend and another. 1. Closeness to
perigee (W5LUU: low values of "range factor", G3SEK: more
positive values of "signals") This is a reliable prediction
and is the same for everybody, on all bands. 2. Sky noise
temperature. The effect depends on the sky noise relative to
each station's system noise temperature. This makes it very
important on 144 MHz, less important on 432, and unimportant
on microwaves. 3. Risk of Sun noise (W5LUU: "moon phase",
G3SEK: "sun offset, deg") Obviously this depends on each
station's beamwidth, and since beamwidths are wider on 144,
there is less tolerance for operating close to new Moon. The
narrow beamwidths and generally cleaner sidelobe patterns of
microwave dishes mean they can operate much closer to new moon
- or even on the day of new moon, if there is sufficient
difference in elevation. Those three factors are all relevant
when setting up a spot sked with another station, and it can
be difficult to balance all the factors and decide on the
optimum time. It depends what you mean by "optimum". In
particular, much more weight has to be given to sky noise on
144 MHz. But when you're choosing dates for activity weekends
or contests, there are even more factors to consider. 4.
Available Moon time. For the vast majority of stations, high
positive declination gives more Moon time. Factors 1, 2 and 3
have the capability to make QSOs easier or more difficult -
but QSOs are flat-out impossible when the Moon isn't up, or
when it's at low elevations and blocked by local obstructions.
5. Time of day. The keen EMEers will get on the air whenever
the Moon is up, but operators with other commitments and a
need for sleep tend to favor more convenient times of day such
as daytime and evening for their operating (G3SEK: "day (pm)"
weekends). 6. Type of contest. (a) Duration. The ARRL contest
runs over 2 full weekends, so the available Moon time on one
individual weekend is not necessarily a big factor. The EuWW
(DUBUS/REF) contest is a one-weekend "sprint" on each band,
which makes available Moon time (ie declination) much more
important. (b) Mix of bands. The ARRL contest operates all
bands simultaneously, with a majority of entrants on 144 MHz,
so this pushes the choice of weekends toward low sky noise.
Because the same criteria apply to both ARRL weekends, they
are always 4 weeks apart. The EuWW contest splits the bands
and activity between two weekends, giving more freedom of
choice - for example, next year the two weekends will NOT be
four weeks apart, because 144/1296 takes place on a low sky
noise weekend, while 432/microwave has a weekend with more
Moon time. (c) Other contests. The ARRL EME contest has to
avoid another ARRL contest in Sept, and also the Eur VHF/UHF
contests on 1st weekends in Sept, Oct and Nov - especially Nov
where the CW contest fills up the bottom end of 144 MHz. (d)
Weather. Obviously there is more risk of bad weather if the
ARRL contest slips into Dec, or if the EuWW slips into early
March. Gasp... If you can balance all of these factors to the
satisfaction of everybody, please let the ARRL, K2UYH and
myself know how you do it!
HB9BBD
Dominique writes -- The ARRL contest is now over and
yielded quite a few initials: F1ANH/P #131, W1ZX #132, WA6KBL
#133, JA8IAD #134, HB9BCD #135, IK2MMB #136, K5GW #138, WA5OFS
#139, DL4YAO #140, W4AD #141 and W1QC #142. All initials and
those stations who are not yet registered with a soundfile on
my homepage may soon be able to playback their signal off the
Moon at http://www.hb9bbd.ch. The conditions were difficult to
judge on the 1st contest weekend we got snow. The 2nd
weekend was very foggy at times. All equipment worked
flawlessly and no technical action was needed. A few hours
after the end of the contest the icy trees in the area caused
a power failure for several hours in a vast area. Happily this
was only after moonset! Participation seemed to be very poor
though. On 23 cm I guess that more than 150 stations could
easily be worked. I worked only 66. I missed a few who were
there, but still this is more than 20 less than last year.
Some participants seemed to look in just to add some initials
and then left. CWNR were PA3CSG, W7QX, W0KJY, DD1XF, OE9XXI,
GM0ONN, 9H1ES and DL8OBU. The strongest station on the band
was probably HB9SV. Enrico was peaking almost 40 dB over
noise. SV1OE was the most surprising QSO after many years of
silence from Greece. It was disappointing that many of the
countries represented on 23 cm EME did not show up at all
during the contest. (Maybe some friends were on other bands?)
It seems to me that staying up all night two full weekends
long is not worth the result. I guess that I prefer the
ordinary SW with its lower stress just hang around a bit and
work some stations for fun. Next year I plan to re-engineer my
contest effort. I bet that I will work far more than 100
stations in the ARRL contest 2001 - I promise that I will
wake-up you guys! My contest log follows: on 3 Oct 0002
JA6CZD (569/579), 0008 DJ5MN ((56/57) SSB, 0012 SM3AKW
(579/579), 0023 F1ANH/p (549/549), 0035 OK1DFC (559/579), 0040
JH5LUZ (579/589), 0056 EA3UM (579/589), 0102 ON5RR (569/569),
0108 F5PAU (579/579), 0117 DH9FAG (559/559), 0140 HA5SHF
(549/579), 0149 OE5EYM (589/579), 0159 S59DCD (579/589), 0230
OZ6OL (559/579), 0311 DF4PV (579/589), 0317 VE1ALQ (589/579),
0322 CT1DMK (559/569), 0334 G3LTF (579/579), 0425 K3HZO
(559/569), 0440 WA9OUU (569/599), 0445 N2IQU (58/59) SSB, 0502
DL0SHF (58/59) SSB, 0506 W2UHI (579/579), 0507 KD4LT ((58/58)
SSB, 0525 W3XS (559/579), 0540 VE1ZJ (549/569), 0557 K9BCT
(559/579), 0610 K5JL (599/599), 0618 WA1JOF (539/CWNR), 0625
K2UYH (569/579), 0642 HB9SV (599/599), 0658 W1ZX (589/599),
0710 W5LUA (579/589), 0719 OH2AXH (589/589), 0741 WA6KBL
(569/589), 0804 OE9ERC ((589/589), 2219 JA8IAD (529/569), 2257
OE5JFL (589/589) and 2315 VK5MC (569/559), on 31 Oct 0430
HB9BCD (519/549), 0548 K2DH (559/589), 0606 VE6TA (559/579),
0616 WD5AGO (569/559), 0623 K4QI (579/579), 0644 F6CGJ
(589/589), 0657 OZ4MM (579/579) and 0707 OH2DG 569/579), on 27
Nov 0055 DF9QX (559/579), 0101 IK2MMB (559/579), 0230 SV1OE
(559/559), 0330 W4RDI (579/579), 0337 W2UHI (589/599), 0411
K5GW (529/O), O513 WA5OFS (539/559), 0530 G4DZU (559/579),
0542 DH9FAG (559/599), 2231 OE5JFL (589/589), 2237 JA8IAD
(549/579), 2252 DL4YAO (559/559), 2258 ZS6AXT (579/599), 2302
HB9BHU (569/569) and 2344 JA8ERE (549/559), and on 28 Nov 0003
JA6CZD (569/579), 0009 JH5LUZ (589/599), 0021 DF3RU (569/579),
0030 JA4BLC (519/579), 0059 G3LQR (579/579), 0147 F1AQC
559/559), 0447 W4AD (549/559), 0500 W1QC (579/339), 0526
WA9FWD (559/569), 0616 WA4NJP (319/559) and 0649 W6HD
(579/579). My final score was 67x29.
IK2MMB
Sergio's contest report follows -- This was my 1st
ever EME contest. I worked non-stop from 1330 LST on Friday
until 0130 LST on Saturday morning. 12 hours with one sandwich
and 2 beers, only! My ambitious target was to be able to make
at least one QSO. I went on the air and heard my echoes for
the 1st time. I believe all of you can recall this exciting
moment. The confusion in my shack was tremendous
I couldn't
find the relays that would have allowed me to operate with
only one rig. TXing with an IC706 with an internal electronic
bug - my keying must have been terrible, but I couldn't do
better - I QSO'd HB9BBD, F5PAU, HB9SV and
OE5EYM. The next
night I was much better prepared and able to operate
transceive with my regular bug. I heard many other stations,
but I decided to take it easy for the 1st time. TNX to
everybody for such a great opportunity!
IK5QLO
Andrea writes -- It is sometime since my last NL
report. In the ARRL Contest we ended with a score of 16x13
after only about 8 hours of operation in the 2 legs. The most
interesting part of my activity was participating in one end
of the 1st 70 cm EME QSO between two 2 yagi stations. The big
QSO occurred on 23 Dec (the big Moon night) at 0500 on sked
with Josep, EA3DXU. This QSO demonstrates that even with
little gear and lots of patience, EME can give much
satisfaction to the keen operator. With only 2 yagis and a
state of the art station, EME activity on regular basis is
possible and enjoyable. As EA3DXU pointed, now with the power
and the NF we can obtain plus all those DSP filtering board
and software, it should be possible to make similar QSOs on
random. More details and an audio sample of the QSO can be
found at my WEB page: at
Andrea, IK5QLO
JA6AHB
Toshio's EME results for 432 in Dec I worked on 18
Dec VK5AFL, JA3SGR for an initial #62, G3HUL #63, EA3DXU and
IN3AGI #64 heard UA9FAD, on 19 Dec JJ1NNJ, VK4AFL, DF3RU,
G4ERG #65 and DJ3FI heard JA5OVU, 25 Dec N4GJV #66, JH1KRC
#67, VK4AFL, JJ1NNJ, JA5OVU, RA3LE #68, PA0AVS (#), UA4API #69
and JA4BLC heard were JH4JLV, RW1AW and DJ3FI, and on 26 Dec
K5GW, VK4AFL, JH4GJV, VE6TA, JH0WJF #70 and EA3DXU - heard was
W7CNK.
KD5FZX
Mats (SM6IKY) will not be QRV on 23 cm EME for a while
-- I am moving to a new QTH that happens to give me a MUCH
bigger EME window. I will check in again after relocating my
equipment, which will take 6-8 weeks.
OE5JFL
Hannes just for fun took note of the signal strength
of the stations he worked in the EME contest see the table
at the end of this NL -- My antenna is a 10 m dish, RX
bandwidth was 100 Hz. I took the mean value of the 3 highest
peaks during each QSO. In the case of mixed polarity on 70 cm
(same strength H/V), I added 3 dB. There was no wind during my
activity, so I could always position my antenna exactly on the
Moon. My apology if somebody feels his call is not listed high
enough on the dB scale. It was probably due to conditions or
misreading on my side. There are of course always ups and
downs of conditions, but I think there were no big changes
during the whole contest on 70 cm where I can switch polarity
or on 23 cm. For comparisons: 20 dB in my receiver needs
around 500 kW EIRP on 70 cm, and 800 kW EIRP on 23 cm.
OZ6OL
Hans reports that one of the strongest hurricane of the
century hit Denmark in the beginning of Dec
houses collapsed,
trees came down, road were blocked. He lost his tropo
antennas, the rotator is in pieces. Fortunately his EME dish
survived with only limited damage. Two of his top sections are
bent and ripped by roof tile blown from his home. Hans thinks
he can make the repairs from a ladder, but has some home
repairs to do before he can work on the dish!
VE6NA
Bryan is a new station on 23 cm EME. He made his
initial QSO with K5JL (M/O) in Dec. Bryan is running a 12'
dish, 200 W PA, AGO pre-amp and VE4MA feed. Skeds can be
arranged via e-mail at:
Bryan, VE6NA
or tel 403-281-5379. [TNX K5JL for this report.]
W2WD
Warren has some bad news -- High winds damaged the dish
- at least 5 struts were broken, but no other apparent damage.
I should be able to replace the struts and be back in
operation soon. To bring you up to date, I previously reported
that I had worked DL9KR, OE5JFL, DF3RU and
F5FEN. This wasn't
too bad when you consider the fact that Rose and I were
working after dark, only a few hours before the Moon got into
position. The only check I could make was VSWR, which was
1.15. But these were all big guns and I had worked all, or
most all, with my single yagi. N4GJV did send me an email
saying he had heard me and I was much stronger than I was with
the yagi. OE5JFL also said the same thing. However, I did not
hear my own echoes or any of the littler guys so I started
making some checks. I measured the depth and diameter of the
dish and calculated the focal point at 11'. This is about 2'
above the point I put it. It being difficult to make that kind
of adjustment, I tried to raise the outer edges of the dish by
shortening the strings a bit and thereby lowering the focal
point and broke a couple in the process. The polar mount I
have is not designed to go into negative declination, so I can
not make Sun noise measurements. I was going to wait for the
Moon to come back North so I could do some more "own echo"
tests, but I do not think I can make the repairs anytime soon,
especially with the holidays. I will have to take the dish
down to keep the neighbors reasonably happy.
WA6KBL
Jeffrey has discovers some discrepancies between EME
calendars -- I looked at G3SEK's calculations and
recommendations for 2000 SW dates, and then looked at W5LUU's
calculations and recommendations on the W5UN webpage. They
seem to have different results for both dB degradation factors
on 432 & up and also for their final recommendations of the
best weekends. I am puzzled by this and hope that others may
have explanations for me. Did an error creep into someone's
calculation? [I do not know why the loss factors do not agree,
but there can be good reasons for choosing different weekends
for 144 MHz than for 432 & above. Sky noise, for example, has
a much greater effect on 2 than on 70 cm and the higher
bands.] I cannot break away from work right now to replace the
bias supplies in my PA and thus will not be QRV for the Dec
SW. I hope to make repairs in time for the window in Jan. Even
with only operating 2 out of 4 days of the ARRL contest and
having the handicap of being on the far West Coast of the USA
and not remaining up for JA stations, I was able to log 24
contacts in 13 countries on 23 cm only.
WB0GAZ
Dave is interested in 6 cm EME and poses the following
question -- My question is about the EME freq on 5.7 GHz. In
the US there is a type of high speed wireless data service
based on commercial data modem devices that may start
appearing in some markets. The 5 GHz band is divided into some
FCC assigned channels, and one of the channels appears to be
at 5760 MHz. Power permitted there for the service is 4 W ERP.
I do not know permitted modulation schemes or bandwidths, but
it seems like 4 watts even over a fairly broad bandwidth would
be significant source. [I am pretty sure that system you are
referring to is based on CDMA. This may turn out to be the
saving grace. It may be possible to filter out these signals
using a fast responding limiter, similar to what has been done
for some forms of radar.] My concern is that presence of this
service near a ham interested in 5760 weak signal work might
be a problem. The service is not permitted in the 5600 MHz
range so it seems that P3D would not be impacted. Is anyone
following this service introduction and is an impact on 5760
weak signal/EME work expected? As I've been slowly gathering
parts for a 6 cm EME station over the last few years. I hope
this effort is not going to be wasted due to this new source
of QRM. [I doubt it, but there is obviously a lot to be
learned. Dave can be reached via e-mail at .]
WB0GGM
John finished up the contest with a score of 18x13 on
70 cm. It would have been higher, if John had not fallen
asleep. He worked about 5 initials and is available for skeds
during the Jan SW.
YO2IS
Szigy notes -- It's now more than 10 years that I have
been active on EME and read the NL. Lately I have not been as
active on 432 MHz, despite the fact that I am retired since
Sept 98. The rig and antennas are still in good shape after 10
years! I hope to move to a better location sometime in the
future. In the ARRL EME Contest my score on 432 was 18x12.
This was the 1st time that my 70 cm activity was less
productive than those of 2m! Only one initial with RW1AW was
made. I am open for any skeds and am looking especially for
Oceania to complete WAC! [Szigy can be reached via e-mail at:
Szigy, YO2IS .]
K2UYH
I had planned to give a demonstration of 1296 EME for
children of friends on 22 Dec, but the WX did not cooperate,
so I put it off to the following night. The WX was beautiful
on 23 Dec, but there was not much activity. At about 0245
N2IQU showed up with his huge signal to save the day. The kids
(and adults too) especially enjoyed hearing their New Years
Greetings echo off the Moon. Activity was low during the SW,
but this was not surprising considering the competition. My
own activity was dampened by a bad case of the flu that
weakened my stamina. I started operation on 25 Dec about 0400,
but did not hear anything until I worked at 0451
UA3PTW (O/O)
for initial #620 on random about a half-hour before our sked.
This was followed by QSOs at 0510 W7CNK (549/549), 0535 RA1AW
(549/549) and 0619 UA4API (449/449). I got a few hours sleep
and was back on for my sked at 0830 with GM0ONN, but heard nil
and did not have the strength to stay around for the Asian
window. The next day I switched to 1296 and again began
operation around 0400. I worked at 0422 ZS6AXT
(559/589) but
heard little else and went to bed. I was back up at 0800 for
my sked with WA1JOF, but heard only some very weak (T) signals
that were impossible to identify. At 0815 W1ZX showed up and
was QSO'd (559/559) followed at 0829 by OH2DG (549/559). I
gave up for the night around 0900.
NETNEWS
G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY
K0YW is working on a 23 cm EME system. He has both the dish
and the xvtrs.
LX1DB is starting EME testing on 24 GHz and has 7 dB Sun noise
with a 1.8 dB NF. Willie also QSO'd W7CNK on 5.7 GHz.
WE2Y worked AL7OB and K5WXN on 70 cm random.
KB0VUK now has max power on 70 cm [1.5 kW?]
KB8RQ has been spending all his free time at new house
location and hopes to be QRV on the Moon soon.
W5LUA now has 750 W on 23 cm (2200v HV on TH-327) and a 2.4 dB
system NF on 24 GHz. Al had bad WX during the Dec SW.
VE6TA plans to spend the next couple of months on 70 cm. Grant
asks if anyone has ever received a WAC award for 23 cm? [Many
1296 WACs have been awarded. WAC was 1st worked in Feb 1989, 13
years after 70 cm WAC. SA was the last continent to become
QRV. YV5ZZ was the 1st station on 23 cm from SA and 1st worked
OE9XXI followed by OE5JFL, HB9BM, LX1DB, K2UYH, WB0QMN,
WB5LUA, WB0DRL and VE4MA.]
W7CNK reports a lot of activity on 70 cm. He is working on a
new stripline preamp for 70 cm.
W4AD worked K5JL and heard ??2MU. He still feels he has a dish
problem.
W7QX will be QRV on 23 cm during the Jan SW. Jerry is
measuring 15 dB of Sun noise and 7.5 dB CS/50 ohm resistor.
[Using a 50 ohm load as a reference is just about meaningless
because of the sensitivity of 1296 LNA gain to impedance
match.]
HP3XUG has been trying to work Europeans with poor results due
to one way conditions.
W5ZN reports has the latest info from Microwave
Update.
CT1DMK is still QRV on 70 cm and will not be changing feeds
unless something very special comes up.
W7SZ has his 6 tube OZ9CR amp running at 500 w on 23 cm.
W2UHI's 23 cm sked with W7SZ was not complete.
ON5OF asks if are RW1 and UT3 separate multipliers? [I think
they are the same.] If so his 70 cm contest score is 55x25.
DJ9YW is back on 1296 EME after having been in the hospital.
NU7Z is again QRT on 5.7 GHz. He will let us know when he is
back on again.
DD1XF was not able to be QRV during the Dec SW because of very
high winds.
K4AR had to cancel is Dec SW skeds because of family
obligations, but will be QRV again on 70 cm in Jan.
OK1DFC is looking for QSLs from DH9FAG, F2TU, HB9BHU, I0UGB,
I6QGA, IK3GHZ, JF3HUC, K9KFR, KB2AH, N2IQU, OE9XXI, PA3CSG,
SM4DHN, W1YX, W4RDI and WD5AGO.
K6JEY has been making adjustments to his 4 x 19 el RIW array
and feels he have them tweaked up as well as he can. Doug is interested in skeds and can be reached at
or ICQ #7769956.
FOR SALE
WA9FWD has the following test equipment for sale: HP 141T with
8552B/8554L 1.3 GHz Spectrum Analyzer $US950,
HP 141T with
8552B/8555A 18 GHz Spectrum Analyzer $US1050,
HP 8445B
Tracking Filter with HP cable for 8555 $US345,
HP 5245L counter with HP 5254A 300 MHz to 3 GHz
plug in $US75, Polarad
1108F signal generator 7-11 GHz with mechanical digital
readout $US95, HP
608E signal generator with manual $US75,
HP 432A Power Meter with cable and head $US175,
HP 8750A storage
normalizer for network analyzer $US85,
and Drake TR7 with PS7
$US575.
K6JEY is still
looking for 4 x 25 el K1FO yagis.
Doug can be
reached at:
Doug K6JEY or ICQ #7769956.
LU8EDR and LU6DW
are in need of 7289s for their
EME station. Anyone with extra 7289s in good shape can send them to Jay,
K5JL and he will forward them to Argentina.
FINAL
It is hard to be believe, but this is vol 29 of the NL!
? My sympathy to our friends in Eur. This century did not end
quietly, but instead produced some terrible WX see OZ6OL's
report. Parts of France and Germany among other places were
hit particularly hard. A lot of antennas are apparently in
need of repair or repacement.
? There have not been too many comments on the Proposed 2000
Skeds that appeared in the last NL. Some concern was raised by
WA6KBL see Jeffrey's report and also G3SEK's report for a
response. Based on what I have heard thus far, it appears that
the dates will stand. One thing we still need to do is to set
some dates for alternate microwave EME activity weekends? The
earlier this is done, the more time there will be to prepare.
? Have you made your EME2000 reservations yet? I have to admit
I have not made mine, but I know I should soon as Sally and I
are definitely planning to be there. If you have not responded
to PY5ZBU request: "We need Input from all potential
conference participants because our Crystal Ball does not
function so well down here South of the Equator!" Please
communicate you plans to Don by e-mail:
EME2000
or fax: 55-41-341-1504 or letter addressed: Av. Juscelino K. de Oliveira, 11.400 - Cic - 81450-
900 - Curitiba Pr.
? That covers the news. . Please keep the information coming.
Technical reports are especially needed. Don't forget to get
your material in for the Rio2000 Conference. I hope to see
many of you off the Moon during the coming SW.
73, Al - K2UYH
OE5JFL Signal Strength Measurements See Hannes' report
- - - 70cm - - -70cm - - -70cm - - -
30dB: DL9KR
29dB:
28dB: OH2PO
27dB:
26dB: DF3RU, OE5EYM
25dB:
24dB: DL9NDD*, JL1ZCG
23dB: OZ4MM
22dB: DJ6MB, K1FO
21dB: N9AB, W7GBI
20dB: G3LTF, DL4MEA
19dB: ON4KNG
18dB: JA6AHB, G3SEK, K0RZ
17dB: HA1YA, DL6WU, 7M2PDT, ON5OF
16dB: JH4JLV, K5WXN, JH0WJF, VE6TA
15dB: JA5NNS, JA2TY, OZ6OL, K8ISK, OE3JPC, DL7APV, IK5WJB
14dB: DL1YMK, UT5EC, JS3SIM, W7SZ, G4ERG
13dB: EA3DXU, S51ZO, RW1AW
12dB: DL3EAG, DK3FB, VE1ZJ, G4ALH, IK5QLO
11dB: F1CH, WB0GGM
10dB: SK4BX, YO2IS, JJ1NNJ
9dB: JA3SGR, W2WD, G4RGK
8dB:
7dB: UA3PTW, DK0MM
- - - 23cm - - - 23cm - - - 23cm - - -
32dB: HB9BBD, HB9SV
31dB:
30dB: OE9ERC, K5JL
29dB:
28dB: F5PAU, OZ4MM
27dB: OH2AXH, VE1ALQ, SM3AKW
26dB: OE5EYM
25dB:
24dB: JA6CZD, EA3UM, K4QI, K2DH
23dB: G3LTF, DD1XF, K2UYH
22dB: ZS6AXT, WA9OUU, W5LUA
21dB: JH5LUZ, DJ5MN**, SM2CEW, HB9BHU, F5AQC
20dB: OK1DFC, VK5MC, W2UHI, CT1DMK, ON5RR
19dB: OZ6OL, S59DCD, IK2MMB, W3XS
18dB: F1ANHp***, OH2DG, VE6TA
17dB: VE1ZJ
16dB: JA8IAD, K3HZO, W7SZ
15dB: JA8ERE
14dB: WD5AGO, WA4OFS
13dB: JA4BLC
12dB:
11dB: HA5SHF
Notes from K5JL: TH 327 Output Probe
A serious problem has come to light concerning the Output
Probe in the TH-327 Amplifier. The dielectric used in the Din
connector appears to be made out of a clear substance
(probably Rexolite). Either from mating the Din connector or
from RF the dielectric breaks down. Cracking and actually
falling apart. This lets the center pin that goes to the Din
Connector float and as the Male Din Connector is attached the
center pin is driven into the cavity and does not make a good
or even at times an RF connection. Thus when power is applied
bad things can occur. To prevent this, the output probe
should be modified. An additional plus from this modification
was that my cavity seems to tune more as would be expected.
Before the maximum power out of the amplifier was with the 25
mm disc very near the outer cavity wall. Now maximum output
is obtained when the disc is pushed into the cavity. For the
same amount of input drive I am now getting 400 500 watts
more output. When I increase the drive I can see output in
excess of 2kw. The only difference from the original output
probe and the modified probe is that the 25mm disc is now 3/8"
from the body of the probe and before this distance from the
disc to probe body was less than 1".
Modification Procedure
1. Remove the 25 mm disc from the center pin.
2. Remove the center pin from the Din Connector end (this
should UN-screw)
3. Remove the Teflon centering insulator from the disc end of
the probe.
4. Place a piece of aluminum on an electric stove burner.
5. Place the Din connector end of the probe on the aluminum and
heat up slowly.
6. Solder will melt and with a pair of gloves or hot pads you
can remove the probe body from old Din connector.
7. Cut a piece of .095 brass to fit new Female Din connector
(1 " x 1 ").
8. With Greenlee punch or by careful drilling make a 5/8" hole
in the center of new brass flange.
9. Mark the 4 mounting holes for the New Din Connector then
drill and tap for 6/32 screws.
10. Be sure that the new brass flange is flat and at this
point you may want to silver plate the brass flange.
(Either electrically or with some rub on silver plate)
11. After you are satisfied that flange it going to bolt to
New Din Connector and the alignment is correct place the
flange and probe body and heat until you can flow solder
from flange to probe body. (Alignment can be accomplished
by inserting a 5/8" rod or plug into the 5/8" hole of the
flange and probe body. I used a piece of 5/8" Ultem it
melted on the stove end, but held the flange and probe in
alignment).
12. You will note that the center pin is threaded on both
ends (Threads not the same) Place the 25mm disc back on
the proper end and on the other end cut down the threads so
that the pin can be soldered into the Female Din Connector.
13. Solder center pin into Din Connector center. (a good low
melt silver solder from Radio Shack works well).
14. Remove disc from center pin and mount Din Connector using
the 4 holes that were tapped for 6/32.
15. Replace the Teflon spacer at disc end and screw the 25 mm
disc on.
This mod may be applicable to some of the YL-1050's if the
output probe was constructed in the same manner as on the TH-
327's. I want to thank Lucky W7CNK for this help and
suggestions with this modification.
EME schedules, last update 6 Jan 2000, 01:28
(432 MHz listed only)
Skeds for JAN 15
Time 432.040 432.045 432.055
0430z JH0WJF-K2UYH
1230z OH2DG -JA2TY
1300z OH2DG -JF3HUC
1330z OH2DG -JA6AHB DF3RU -JH0WJF
1500z YO2IS -JA6AHB
1900z G4ALH -OH2DG
1930z CT1DMK-OH2DG DL1YMK-EA3DXU
2000z WE2Y -UT3LL EA3DXU-UA4API
2030z K2UYH -RV4AQ W8MQW -EA3DXU WB0GGM-ON4KNG
2100z N3FA -DF3RU KA0RYT-EA3DXU K2UYH -GM0ONN
2130z WB0GGM-DJ3FI K5WXN -EA3DXU
2200z VE6TA -CT1DMK WB0GGM-EA3DXU
2230z K6JEY -DF3RU W7SZ -EA3DXU VE6TA -DL7APV
2300z W7SZ -DJ3FI K6JEY -DL9KR VE6TA -OE3JPC
2330z KB0VUK-K2UYH VE6TA -PY5ZBU
Skeds for JAN 16
Time 432.040
0100z AL7OB -VE6TA
0430z K6JEY -K2UYH
2200z WB0GGM-OK1KIR
2230z WB0GGM-SM3AKW
2300z WB0GGM-LX1DB
EME schedules, last update 6 Jan 2000, 01:28
(1296 MHz listed only)
Skeds for JAN 16
Time 1296.050
1200z OH2DG -JF3HUC
2000z SV1OE -OH2DG
2030z PY5ZBU-OH2DG
2100z K3HZO -I5MPK
2130z W1ZX -IK2MMB
2200z W1ZX -I0UGB
2230z K3HZO -G4DZU
2300z K3HZO -9H1ES
2330z K9ZZH -K3HZO
Skeds for JAN 17
Time 1296.050
0000z WA9FWD-K3HZO
0030z W7QX -K3HZO
0100z WA1JOF-K2UYH
0400z W1ZX -W7SZ
This information was obtained from: Scott, KD4LT
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Rein, W6/PA0ZN
19981226