. Under good conditions I feel
I can work stations with 2.5 m dish and 100 W at the feed.
PA3DZL was copying me with his tiny 2.5 m dish. I could hear his
signal but the poor conditions made it impossible to read them.
I had 200 W at the feed of my 3.75 m HB dish. My new linear AZ
drive using a TV dish screw actuator, wheel on the AZ mast tube
and a large garage door spiral spring to pull the dish in a
anti-clockwise direction worked extremely well, and held to
within 1 deg. accuracy from 55 to 285 deg AZ. I used an 18"
actuator, but with a 24" actuator and 2 springs in parallel one
can easily drive a 6 m dish or 16 yagis on 70 cm. As a bonus you
will have Pulses for free to drive for example a VK3UM
modem/program. A simple drawing of this system will be uploaded
on my WEB page later. I also use a 18" actuator for EL and
managed to adjust this system to within 3 deg accuracy from 5 to
80 deg. At 30 and 55 deg I load the correct setting of my dish
elevation (maximum signal level received) and I get better than
1 deg accuracy also for the EL tracking. One day I hope VK3UM
will modify his program to include an offset table to make
necessary corrections automatically for a non-linear screw type
actuator system.
F1ANH
Jean Pierre has moved. 30 June was the last time he
operated from his old QTH in IN98. He is now located at IN88mr
in the same grid as he operated under the call sign FIANH/p
during the last EME contest with a 1.8 m dish. Thus new QSOs
with F1ANH will count as initials unless you worked him /p in
the last ARRL Contest. His old 8 m dish was dismantled and given
to F5RMK who intends to us it on 70 cm EME in the future. During
the contest Jean Pierre used a 2.6 m dish (the same as used for
the demo at the French UHF/microwave meeting last April) with 1
kW at his feedhorn. He achieved a score of 35x20 and raise his
initial from last year to #36. His next step will be to move up
to a 3.3 m solid dish for operation on 23 cm and the higher
bands. His new address is (KERBERNES, F.22 470 PLOUEZEC) and
telephone is 33-2-96-16-40-01.
F2TU
Philippe is back in a big way on the moon. I am now QRV
again on 13 cm and had very nice results with my new dish. It
has a -3 dB beamwidth of 1.1°, Moon noise = 1 dB, Sun noise = 21
dB ( flux 175 ) and no side lobes < 20 dB. During the 1st
contest weekend I contacted on 13 cm ZS6AXT (559/579), OZ4MM
(559/549), W5LUA (559/559), WA8WZG (539/559) and VE4MA
(539/449). I also made on 23 cm 22 QSOs, and on 70 cm 10 QSOs.
It is difficult to work on 13 cm without skeds. I can be
contacted via e-mail at:
Philippe, F2TU
F5PAU
Francis' Oct EME contest results on 23 cm -- I worked on
21/22 Oct F1ANH on CW/SSB, G4CCH, DF4PV, W2UHI, OH2DG, HB9BHU,
VE1ALQ, SM3AKW, K2UYH, OE5EYM, K2DH, F6CGJ, K5JL, DJ5MN, OK1UWA
for initial #130, JH5LUZ, IK2MMB, JA7BMB, OE9XXI, HB9Q, OZ6OL,
JA8IAD, DK0ZAB #131, OH2AXH, F2TU, OE5JFL, F5AQC, HB9SV, PA3CSG,
KB2AH, K5GW #132, K9BCT, CT1DMK, K0YW, W6HD, W1ZX #133, EA3UM,
W5LUA, K3AX #134, OZ4MM, WA9OUU, K4QI and WD5AGO for a score of
43x27 with 5 initials.
F/ON5OF
Dirk was only QRV on Saturday of the contest from his
new location in JN33MR on the French Riviera. He QSO on 432 on
22 Oct at 0206 DL9KR (569/559), 0302 DF3RU (559/559), 0426 OZ4MM
(559/569), 0507 OH2PO (539/O), 0538 F5FEN (559/ 559) 0515 OE9ERC
(559/569), 0704 OH2PO (559/599), 0733 DL7APV (O/O), 0803 DL4MEA
(559/O), 0831 N2IQ (549/569), 0859 OE5EYM (449/559), 0923 K1FO
(449/599), 0959 K0RZ (549/559), 1040 SM2CEW (559/569), 1058
K2UYH (549/559), 1125 KA0Y (O/O), 1152 G3LTF (559/O) and 1324
partial K8ISK (O/QRZ). 16 stations were worked, one partial and
one dupe (OH2PO). Many thanks to all the helpers (F6AOI, F1RFC,
F5SMW and F1GRX).
G3LTF
Peter had a very satisfying time in the contest with many
initial QSOs Being retired means I can do with a bit less
sleep! The activity was high on 432 and 1296, but 13 cm was
disappointing. On 432 the pol was all over the place, non
reciprocal and spread everything! I actually worked 4 bands as
I had 2 on 144 MHz - on the horizon QSOs on my tropo antenna. On
21 Oct I worked on 1296 OH2AXH, OZ4MM, HB9BHU, JA7BMB for
initial #157, OH2DG, JA8IAD #158, JH5LUZ, SM3AKW, DL4PV, OE9XXI,
DJ5MN, F1ANH #159, G4CCH, K5JL, W2UHI, K2DH, SM2CEW, W5AGO,
VE9DW, K5GW, K2UYH, OZ6OL, DL6YDH #160, K3AX, CT1DMK, N2IQ,
W1ZX, WA9OUU, PA3DZL, K4QI and W7QX, and on 22 Oct IK2MMB, DL6LAU
#161, DK0ZAB #162, K0JW #163, OE5JFL, WA9FWD, W7SZ and F6CGJ.
CWNR were W1QX, OK1UWA, F5PAU, WA4NJP, WA8WZG, HB9SV and EA3UM.
Heard were JA4BLC, JA8ERE and F2TU. QSO'd on 432 on 22 Oct were
JH4JLV, G3SEK, HA1YA, DL4MEA, OE5JFL, OZ4MM, OH2PO, F6HYE,
JA5NNS, DF3RU, OE5EYM, DL7APV, OE9ERC, LA9NEA #352, SM3AKW,
DK3WG, K1FO, N2IQ, N9AB, DL9KR, OE3JPC, K8UC, K0RZ, K8ISK,
K2UYH, ON5OF, DK3BU, KA0Y, G3HUL, DJ3FI and SM2CEW. CWNR were
PA0PLY, PA4FP, EA3DXU, UA6LGH, UT3LL, GW3XYW and G3LQR. Heard
were JF3HUC, JR9NWC, IK6EIW and F5FEN. On 13 cm I worked ZS6AXT
and heard OZ4MM, but spent about 4 hours on this band listening
and calling. My scores so far are on 432 31x16, on 1296 40x21
and on 2320 1x1. Lots still to work. On 13 cm I plan to be
active during the 3 one hour time slots agreed for the JA, Eur
and US windows – [see start of NL]. On 24 Oct I QSO'd EA8/LA8LF
#164, 1st weak but later (449) and also QSO'd K5JL and K2DH.
GM0ONN
Iain made a few QSOs on 70 cm during the contest. We
worked DL9KR, OZ4MM and OH2PO. It started well on Sunday morning
around 0230 with many stations heard, but there was much QRM
from stations on top of each other. This made things very
difficult for Ron (GM4ILS) and myself. We had flashovers in PA,
but had 400 W to the feed for much of the contest. From 0630 on,
the band went very quiet. I plan to be QRV in Nov on 23 cm from
home. Plans are going well for a large multi-op station from GM
for next year's contest. Myself, GM4ILS, GM4TXX, GM4ISM and
GM3WOJ are working on this project.
GW3XYW
Stu's 70 cm report -- Activity on 70 cm was high on both
Saturday and Sunday. Stations worked on 432 were on 21 Oct K1FO,
DL9KR, K0RZ, OH2PO, DF3RU, G3SEK, N2IQ, PA3CSG, DL4MEA and
VE6TA, and on 22 Oct DK3WG, N9AB, HA1YA, KA0Y, SM3AKW, F6HYE,
DK3BU and K8ISK for a total of 19x10. The W2IMU feed has been
reinstalled on the dish with a new G3WDG preamp in preparation
for activity on 23 cm during the 2nd contest weekend. My e-mail
address is:
Stuart, GW3XYW
I5PPE
Alex (IK5WJD) reports on 10 GHz activity in Italy.
During the 1st part of the ARRL EME Contest a new Italian station
became QRV on 3 cm EME and QSO'd I5PPE [joint effort of I5PPE
and IW5WJD]. We QSO'd on 22 Oct at 0815 IW4BTJ (O/O). This is
believed to be the 1st I-I 3 cm EME QSO. Our station consists of
a 3 m moon 0.28 f/d dish, corrugated horn feed with switchable
V/H pol, 20 W to feed Siemens TWTA, 0.9 dB NF PHEMT LNA, DB6NT
xverter to 144 and FT202. Moon noise is about 0.9 dB. Moon
Tracking is manual with the help of a video infrared CCD camera.
IW4BTJ's system is 4 m, 0.43 f/d dish, corrugated horn circular
pol feed, 40 W to feed by Hughes TWTA, 0.8 dB NF 2 stage LNA,
DB6NT xverter to 432 and IC402. Their moon noise is about 2 dB.
IW4BTJ is now at initial #2 and is a team effort of I4CHY,
Carlo; IZ4BEH, Roberto; I4JED, Alberto; I4BER, Goliardo and
IW4BTJ, Nino. Our (I5PPE) 10 GHz EME initial count is now up to
#6.
JM7BMB
has sent in information on his tri-band EME feed see
the end of this NL and details of his recent activity. He
worked on 23 cm using linear pol and 200 W on 23 Sept at 0219
F2TU (439/529), 0228 OZ6OL (429/529), 0250 JH5LUZ (429/439),
0427 G4CCH (559/549) and 0443 ZS6AXT (449/549), on 24 Sept at
0428 OZ4MM (569/549), on 70 cm with 1 kw on 23 Sept at 0048
IN3AGI (459/559) and 0104 JA6AHB (459/559), on 13 cm with 50 W
on 23 Sept echoes (539), on 23 cm with cir pol with quad hybrid
and 200 W on 21 Oct at 0026 JA4BLC (339/449), 0038 G3LTF
(439/449), 0058 OZ4MM (569/549), 0114 OE9XXI (569/559), 0140
SM3AKW (459/559), 0208 OH2AXH (449/559) and 0227 JA5NNS
(449/439), on 22 Oct HB9Q (459/549), 0115 F5PAU (459/559), 0202
HB9SV (569/559), 0431 G4CCH (459/559), 1830 partial K2UYH
(429/QRZ), 1912 K4QI (439/539), 1940 K5JL (569/559) and 2005
JH5LUZ (429/O), on 21 Oct on 70 cm at 0003 DL9KR (589/569) and
0348 HB9Q (459/559), and on 21 Oct on 13 cm echoes (329) but no
one heard.
JJ1NNJ
Kouichi reports on his ARRL Contest results. I worked
on 70 cm DL9KR (579/559), G3SEK (O/M), DF3RU (O/O), DL4MEA
(449/539) for initial #59, DK3WG (O/O), HB9Q (559/519), OE5EYM
(559/449), OH2PO (O/O), K1FO (O/O), N2IQ (579/449), KA0Y
(559/559) #60, K5AZU (O/O), N9AB (O/M), JA5OVU (559/449), JA6AHB
(559/539), OZ4MM (559/549), OE5JFL (559/449), F5FEN (559/449)
#61, HA1YA (O/M), F6HYE (O/O) #62, OE9ERC (559/339) #63, JL1ZCG
(559/339) and JA5NNS (O/O) for a total of 23x14. Heard were
EA3DXU, S57Q, RW1AW, JA7BMB, JH4JLV, JH0WJF, JR9NWC, JA4BLC,
G4YTL, VK4AFL, K8UC, K2UYH, VE6TA, DL7APV, SM3AKW, ON5OF/F,
DJ3FI, JS3SIM, G3LTF, OZ6OL, K4EME and KJ7F. I am currently
running 16 x 13 el FO yagis with 250 W and FHX35LG LNA. My e-
mail address:
Kouich1, JJ1NNJ
K0RZ
Bill worked on 70 cm in the contest DF3RU, DK3BU, DL4MEA,
DL7APV, DL9KR, F6HYE, F6KHM, G3LTF, G3SEK, G4ERG, GW3XYW, HA1YA,
HB9Q, I5CTE, JA4BLC, JA5OVU, JA6AHB, K1FO, K2UYH, K5GW, K8ISK,
K8UC, KA0Y, KJ7F, N2IQ, N9AB, OE5EYM, OE5JFL, OE9ERC, OH2PO,
ON5OF, OZ4MM, PA3CSG, SM2CEW, SM3AKW, VE6TA, W7BBM, W7HAH, W7SZ
and WB0GGM. Initials were KA0Y #288, K8UC #289, KJ7F #290 and
state #43. Activity on 70 cm seemed down for the 1st weekend of
the contest. Bill will be QRV on 70 cm for the 2nd contest
weekend. His score was 40x23.
K0YW
Bruce is now QRV on 1296 in a big way. He heard his 1st
signals 15 Oct. He copied K5JL (579) followed by W2UHI (559),
WA1JOF (519) and K2UYH and G4CCH (55) on SSB. During the contest
Bruce had 100 W output and worked 39x25. CWNR were W7SZ, WA8WZG,
WA9OUU, WD5AGO and WA8WZG. After the contest W7SZ was added to
his log.
K4QI
Russ writes -- I didn't put too much of an effort in the
contest this year. Conditions were not the best. I was on 1296
only and worked the following: SM2CEW, G4CCH, OE9XXI, K5JL,
K3AX, G3LTF, W7SZ, OH2DG, WA9OUU, DL6LAU, OZ4MM, F1ANH, K0YW,
W1ZX, WA4NJP, W7QX, WA5AGO, OZ6OL, K2DH, OH2AXH, VE9DW, DF4PV,
SM3AKW, IK2MMB, W6HD, W2UHI, HB9Q, WA8WZG, F2TU, F5PAU, OE5EYM,
K5GW, N2IQ, K2UYH, OE5JFL, PA3DZL, WA9FWD, JH5LUZ and JA7BMB for
39x21. I plan to be on next month, probably only on 1296.
K9ZZH
Dick was QRV on 1296 during the contest. He tried to work
a number of stations with little success. I do not believe he
made any QSOs. He asks -- I have been struggling with how to
check compliance [FCC regs bulletin 65, supplement B) for a 15'
dish in a small yard and I dont see how to calculate it for near
or far range emission in the regs. [I would take you output
power and divide it by the area of the dish (?r2). This should
give you a worst case. Does anyone have any other suggestions?]
My e-mail address is:
Dick, K9ZZH
LA9NEA
Stefan (LA0BY) reports on the 432 EME contest effort of
his group (LA0BY, LA8KV and LA9NEA) from JO59dx. Our 1st
operation was on 14/15 Oct when we worked JA5OVU, SM2CEW,
JA6AHB, DF3RU, UA3PTW, EA3DXU and DJ3FI all on random. VE6TA was
complete on sked. We also heard VK4AFL and W7HAH. Our system
seemed to be working fine and we could hear good echoes most of
the time. During the 1st part of the contest (21/22 Oct) we
worked DL9KR, HB9Q, OH2PO, DK3WG, DF3RU, JL1ZCG, DL4MEA, G3SEK,
OZ4MM, HA1YA, K1FO, N2IQ, SM2CEW, OE5EYM, PA3CSG, N9AB, DJ3FI,
OE9ERC, K8UC, KA0Y, VE6TA, DK3BU, DL7APV, K5AZU, K5GW, OE5JFL,
F5FEN, F6HYE, JA5NNS, G3LTF, UA6LGH, K2UYH and K8ISZ for a total
of 37 initials - all on random. We heard JH4JLV, JA6AHB, PA4FP,
OE3JPC, G4YTL, K4EME, DF5LQ and others. Conditions seemed
variable, but not really bad. Only 2 contacts were made after
0700 on the 2nd day. We can be available for skeds If anybody is
desperate for LA on 70 cm EME. Please send your proposals to
LA0BY at e-mail:
Seven, LA9NEA
NC1I
Frank expresses his disappointment at not being able to
put any time into the EME contest. I hope the EME contest went
well for all. I have had little or no time for ham radio this
year. The array is still up and seems to be working fine. Since
Feb I have only made a handful of QSOs. I was able to get on
this summer to work OX2K. Up until just hours before the start
of the contest it looked like I would be able to put in a
serious effort, but a family emergency took me away for most of
the weekend. I was able to get on for just a few minutes around
0800 on Sunday. I quickly worked DL9KR, K1FO and N2IQ. At that
point I opted for some much needed sleep. I apologize to the
others who started calling me but I had to shut down. I did not
even spend enough time on to evaluate conditions/activity.
Unfortunately I have a conflict the 2nd weekend and most likely
will not be on unless I can sneak away for the 1st couple hours
of moon on Saturday. I do not anticipate my busy schedule to
change any time soon and it may be a year or more before I can
devote any serious time to ham radio. In the mean time if anyone
needs MA (and I doubt it) I am sure I can find some time to get
on for them. Please note I have a new address (5 Charles
Johnson Rd, Southwick, MA 01077). We have not moved, but several
years ago we purchased an abutting lot bordering on an adjacent
street. This created a corner lot for us. We are just completing
a major addition to our home and have constructed a new driveway
out to the other street. We reoriented the front of the house
and eliminated the old driveway. Based on this the town mandated
the address change.
OE9XXI
Peter writes -- On 1296 on 21/22 Oct during the ARRL EME
Contest I achieved 70x28 QSOs for a score of 196k. New callsigns
were OK1UWA (559/599), F1OAT (439/O) for initial #250, K0YW
(559/599), DH0OAH (559/559), DL6YDH (549/559), WA1JOF (O/O),
DL6LAU (439/559), DK0ZAB (559/569), VE9DW (569/599) and K5GW
(559/579). Possibly not all these contacts count as initials,
maybe there are some callsign changes or multiple stations use?
[I believe all are new stations.] All contacts were made on
random and for several hours linear pol was used. Activity was
excellent. This was the 1st time that I have found all US-call-
areas present during a contest weekend. On 25 Oct I had a nice
random QSO with EA8/LA8LF for DXXC 45 on 1296 EME.
OH2DG
Eino sends his contest results for 21-22 Oct – The WX
conditions were great. Initials on 23 cm were HB9BHU for #83,
DF9FAD #84, W1QC #85 and CT1DMK #86. Results on 70 cm were 8x8,
on 23 cm 29x17 and on 13 cm 2x2. My total score was 105,300
points. My TX power was QRP with only 100 w on 70 cm, 70 w 23 cm
and 30 w at the feed 13 cm. I sold my 70 cm PA and the new one
isn't ready yet. I am working on GS23B PA. The HV, cabinet and
cavities are ready. Perhaps I will have on by Nov.
OH2PO
Jukka's contest groups score on 432 was 91x33 for the Oct
weekend. Contest ops were OH2JTE, OH6DD and OH2PO. They can be
contacted via e-mail atL
Kukka, OH2PO
OK1CA
Franta reports on his activity during the 1st part of the
EME Contest -- I worked on 21 Oct on 1296 OE9XXI (579/559),
DF4PV (559/549) for initial #67, OH2AXH (559/559), G4CCH
(559/549), DJ5MN (549/O), F1ANH (549/439), OE5EYM (559/559) #68,
OH2DG (549/539), DH9FAG (449/539) #70, OK1UWA (549/559) and W1QC
(559/339) #71. I heard about 30 stations overall. In Nov I plan
to be QRV on 2.3 GHz.
OK1UWA
Josef is a new operator on 1296 in grid JN69qt. I am
now QRV on 23 cm with 0.7 dB NF LNA, 175 W 8xM57762 SSPA. I am
also on 13 cm with 0.7 dB NF LNA and 75 W at the feed, and on 3
cm RX with 0.95 dB NF LNA, 33 W at the feed and 1.8 dB moon
noise. I use a 3 m dish for all bands. In ARRL Contest I worked
on 23 cm on 21 Oct OE9XXI (599/559), OZ4MM (559/549), OH2AXH
(559/449), OK1CA (559/559), G4CCH (559/549), SM2CEW (559/539),
K2DH (559/449), F5PAU (559/O), K5JL (579/559), SM3AKW (559/O)
and partial F6CGJ (559/?) - not completed due to problem with
preamp, on 22 Oct HB9Q (559/529), and on 23 Oct (after end of
the contest) OE9ERC (599/549). I was also on 10 GHz on 22 Oct
from 0400 to 1000 calling CQ (10368.020). I heard my own echoes,
but nobody answered me. I will be active during the 2nd weekend,
and can be reached by e-mail at:
Josef, OK1UWA
I also have a WEB page under construction:
OK1UWA' WEB Page
OZ4MM
Stig is recovering from the 1st part of the contest -- I
found very good conditions on both 432 and 1296 from the start
of contest at 0000. But on Sunday after sunrise signals were
found to degraded on both 432 and 1296 for the rest of the
contest. Activity seemed good even on 13 cm. Still I missed
many regular stations, whom I hope to work in the last part.
Signals on Saturday were sometimes very impressive and several
initials found their way into my log. Often I found stations
calling 1 to 2 KHz from my own echoes. This made it very
difficult, as the band was filled at every KHz and in between. I
ended with 7x7 on 2304, 50x26 on 23 and 7x31 on 432. I am still
using a 10 m dish with 30 W on 2304, 300 W on 1296 and 700 on
432 (all referenced at the feedpoint). The following new
stations were added on 432 LA9NEA (549/559), JH0WJF (549/559),
K8UC (569/559), KA0Y (579/559), HB9Q (579/559), GW3XYW
(559/569), F6HYE (559/569), OE9ERC (579/579), SM2LKW (O/O),
JA3SGR (O/O), F/ON5OF (559/569), PA0PLY (549/599), PA4FP
(559/559), YU1EV (O/O), GM0ONN (429/0), S53J (O/O) with 4 yagis
and 90 W, RW3PF (O/O), DK0TU (439/519), DL4KG (429/449), F6KHM
(439/O), W2WD (539/559) and KJ7F for initial #220. On 1296 the
new stations were OK1UWA (539/559), K0YW (549/559), DL6LAU
(549/559) and DK0ZAB (559/559) for initial #174. After the
contest weekend LA8LF activated EA8 with a great signal. I was
lucky to raise the dish from park position between 2 heavy rain
showers with high wind gusts (and the battle to get the kids up
and going to school). Later on in the day it would have been too
dangerous to raise the dish. I would like to thanks Anders for
an outstanding effort in putting EA8 on 1296. It has not been
easy for Anders to overcome the many problems he has
encountered.
OZ6OL
Hans found activity very good on 23 cm in the 1st part of
the contest. I worked 45 stations(15 from NA) and CT, OH, SM,
DL, OE, G, F, HB9, JA, IK, ZS6, PA, EA and OZ. Initials included
K5GW, K0YW, DL6LAU, HB9BHU, DK0ZAB and DK7LJ. I worked EA8/LA8lf
on 23 cm on 24 Oct at 0550. The only changes since my last
report is the addition of a 6 tube OZ9CR PA. I was also on 70
cm, but signals were weak on this band. I think I have an
antenna or cable problem, but I was able to work 13 stations. I
can be contacted via e-mail at:
Hans, OZ6OL
PA3DZL
Jac's 432 and 1296 contest 1st part results -- With my
QRP rig on 432 and 1296 MHz I managed to work a good number of
stations. I QSO'd on 21 and 22 Oct on 432 using 2 x 21 el 6.6 wl
yagis HB9Q for initial #124, CWNR DL4MAE, DL9KR, N2IQ - very
strong both days, OZ4MM and K1FO - good ears, only had to call
once, and on 1296 with a 2.50 m dish and FHX35LG LNA, OE9XXI -
super signals, HB9Q, OH2AXH, F6CGJ, G4CCH, PA3CSG, OE5EYM for
initial #22, OE5JFL #24, K5JL very strong, K2UYH, G3LTF #23,
K4QI and OZ4MM. Heard and called were F5PAU, SM3AKW, W2UHI,
KB2AH, K2DH, HB9SV - super signal, W6HD, W1ZX and N2IQ - very
strong. During the contest I made 30 QSOs on 3 different bands.
(Also 12 QSOs on 144.) I was not QRV all the time because my
wife, Rian, is recovering from surgery and required attention. I
was on 1296 most of my available time, and will active again in
Nov.
PA0PLY
Jan had everything work for a change during the Oct part
of the contest -- With my new 8 x 4.2 WL yagis', which were
shorten to just 3 m, I was happy to work my 1st initials on 432
from home - HB9Q for #1, DL9KR #2, JL1ZCG #3, OH2PO #4, and the
next day "only" OZ4MM for #5. The 2nd pass initially seemed the
same as the 1st, however during the morning signals dropped
slightly and then faded out. I thought having problems with my
system, but PA3DZL confirmed that Faraday rotation was causing
this problem. Anyway I heard several other stations including
DL4MEA, G3SEK and F5FEN. I'm sure my audio tape contain more
calls, since I need more CW practice. Due to family commitments
there was little chance to listen to the west and resulted in
the small number of initials with NA side stations. I operated
the contest with an 8 x 4.2 WL yagi array, 750 W and a 0.4 dB
LNA. I am interested in skeds for more initials and can be
reached via e-mail at:
Jan, PA0PLY .
PA3CSG
Geert had great fun on 23 and 70 cm during the contest.
Initials were HA5BDJ, DK0MM, PA4FP and K4EME (in FM07) on 432.
He also worked 3 initials on 23 cm and EA8/LA8LF afterwards.
PA4FP
Frank (JO33bc) notes that he was listed incorrectly in
the last NL -(as PA4PF rather than FP) -- I had a great time
during the ARRL Contest, although I was only QRV for 4 hours in
2 days. This was my 1st EME contest. I contacted on 432, on 21/22
Oct JA6AHB (559/539), HB9Q (559/559), N2IQ (559/559), DL2KR
(559/539), OH2PO (559/549), OZ4MM (559/539), OE5EYM (539/539)
and G3SEK (559,539), on 24 Oct RW1AW (559/449), and on 28 Oct
nil LA9NEA during sked. In the future I plan to build a 3 or 4 m
dish for 23 cm and up. My station is a FT-847 and 4 x 26 el BV-
OPT70 yagis, and 2 x 3CX800 PA giving 1350 W out. At present I
am still using Aircom cable, so I have only 750 W. I plan to
switch to 7/8" Flexwell, which should result in > 1 Kw at the
feedpoint. Because of shift work I can be QRV during night or
day. For skeds e-mail to:
Frank, PA4FP
VE6TA
Grant was on 70 cm in Oct and scored 25x16 with 5
initials in the contest. This brings him to #78 on 70 cm. He is
still waiting on WA4NJP for a 222 sked. The feed is in his dish.
He plans to be on 23 cm next half of the contest.
VK4AFL
Trevor writes -- I found conditions to be generally good
over the 2 contest days, especially on Saturday with mostly
stable Faraday conditions - about 45 deg. Sunday was very
interesting with much less stability ranging from zero polarity
correction to 75 degs, sometimes over a short period of time.
There did not seem to be much activity out of the US. I only
worked K2UYH, K1FO, N2IQ and KA0RYT, all with good signals.
Hopefully I can improve my score during the 2nd leg. JA seemed
well represented, although I heard 2 or 3 stations that I was
unable to work. New stations were UA3PTW, G4YTL and KA0RYT, but
no new countries. I will be on through all of my windows during
the Nov leg, which I am looking forward to. My e-mail address is:
Trevor, VK4AFL
W2UHI
Frank has a new gearbox in place but had a problem with
the relay contacts in the control circuit welding themselves
together. The new azimuth drive is now working fine and sun
noise with his 18' dish is up to 19 dB. Frank worked N2IQ, K5JL
and DF4PV among others during the contest in Oct. K9BCT was
called but disappeared before a contact could be completed. The
following week he added EA8/LA8LF.
W2WD
Warren was active during the Oct contest weekend on 70 cm
using a portable 20' stressed dish. The following stations were
contacted DK3BU, DL9KR, K1FO, OH2PO, HB9Q, K5GW, KA0Y, N2IQ,
K5AZU, OE5JFL, OZ4MM, SM2CEW, N9AB and DK3FU. Heard were SM3AKW,
K4EME, K8ISK, K8UC and K2UYH. Warren is planning to experiment
with a polar mount in Nov.
W5LUA
Al was active on 13 and 23 cm during the Oct contest
weekend despite problems with his TH-327 amp. He worked
EA8/LA8LF on 23 cm following the contest. Al will be around only
on the 1st night of the contest in Nov. He now has Reaktrak
running with a Mendleson A/D board and is working toward auto
tracking.
W7GBI
Charlie had some bad luck in Oct --I was unable to get in
the contest for both days partly due to Murphy, but mostly
because of WX. We had a lot of thunderstorms; lots of rain and
lightning that caused me to shut down. I had planned to operate
on 13 and 23 cm, and listen on 6 cm. I will try again next
month. I did manage to work EA8/LA8LF on 25 Oct with good sigs
on 23 cm.
W7SZ
Larry found conditions during the 1st leg of the ARRL EME
Contest to be favorable with the 2nd day somewhat better than the
1st. His 70 cm results were 14x12 and included N2IQ, OH2PO,
OZ4MM, DL9KR, PA3CSG, HB9Q, K1FO, JA5OUV, JA6ABH, DL4MEA, K0RZ,
SM2CEW, N9AB and G3SEK. Polarity from Eur favored horz. The JA
came through on vert. His 23 cm was limited by a water pump
failure, but he did later manage 22x18 including K2DH, OE9XXI,
K5JL, G4CCH, OZ4MM, K4QI, F6CGJ, N2IQ, SM3AKW, HB9Q, W2UHI,
W1ZX, OZ6OL, OE5EY, K2UYH, OE5JFL, F2TU, G3LTF, K5GW, K0YW for
an initial (#), WA9FDW # and JH5LUZ. Larry will be QRV again in
Nov.
WA6PY
Paul had a very upsetting experience -- Three years ago
we moved to Rancho Bernardo. During much of this time I have
been involved in remodeling my house. This has restricted my
time for EME and only allowed some limited activity on 144 MHz
and 10 GHz. During most of this period my 10' dish (solid AL)
was laying in the back yard on its face. Now that I am ready to
start building the shack and antennas, someone has jumped on the
dish and made 2 big dents about 2.5" deep and 20" in diameter
and third smaller dent. There are still traces of shoes. The
dish was performing very well on 10 GHz and I was hoping to use
it on 24 GHz. As it is now it is too bad shape for use even at
10 GHz. I have received some advise from the EME group on how to
repair the dish including cutting the damaged places and
patching with AL foil. One of the suggestions is to make a
fiberglass mould of the "good surface" and use as a template to
carefully pound the damaged surface. My concern is that if the
dish was manufactured by spinning, the AL alloy is probably very
soft and it is already stretched. Another suggestion was to talk
to homeowner's insurance and file a claim for a new Andrews
dish. I personally doubt if this will work. One of the problems
is that in my area no antennas are allowed, so I have to be
rather quiet and not try to find out who did it. Every
suggestion is appreciated. I do not want to damage the dish even
more. My e-mail at home is:
Paul, WA6PY
ZS6AXT
Ivo's Oct contest report -- On the 21st I was only on 13
cm and worked JA4BLC, OE9ERC, F2TU, G3LTF, HB9SV, W5LUA and
OZ4MM. CWNR was VE4MA. The weakest heard were G3LTF and VE4MA
with (549) copy. The rest were (579) and better! Immediately
after moonset the 6 m band opened, so had at least some
pleasure by working #120 on six! On Sunday although I had skeds,
I only WA8WZG heard and CWNR. Before that I was on 23 cm, with
difficulties because we had a 3rd day of heavy rain after 2
weeks of good WX. Water got into the TX line somewhere, and it
took an hour to evaporate it with RF! G4CCH must have a good RX
setup as I worked him with only 20 W out! Then I QSO'd OE5EYM,
SM3AKW, DF4PV, OH2AXH, JA6CZD, OE9XXI, DL6LAU for initial #159,
DH9FAG, OZ4MM, HB9Q, DK0ZAB #160, PA3CSG, HB9SV, DK5MN, OE5JFL,
HB9BHU and OZ6OL - all in about 4 hours. CWNR were JH5LUZ,
F5PAU, DH0OAH and F6CGJ. I hope to make those I missed on 13 cm
in the next session; I will accommodate any sked times proposed
here. I must say that again the attendance, especially from N.
A. was very poor. It was not a good contest for microwave
operators at all. On 6cm I need nighttime, so I will be QRV on
and before 12 Nov (outside the contest) with my new 40 W PA and
circular polarization. So far I have a sked with NU7Z. I hope to
work those I missed in my previous operation on 6 cm. I hope for
a good weather here, so that can do tracking with my CCTV
camera. Please let me know if you are interested in a sked.
K2UYH
I had good luck on 23 cm in Oct. On 15 Oct I had a sked
with WA1JOF at 0300, but heard nil. Around 0320, I gave up and
went down to .010 to call CQ. After a few CQs, WA1JOF showed up
calling CQ. Signal strength was not bad, but he had a big
"wuuup". The signal sounded more like aurora then EME. It took a
2nd transmission before I could identify him. We completed a
good (O/O) QSO to give initial #178. Afterwards G4CCH appeared
and called Don several times, but Don did not reply. I then had
a quick SSB QSO with Howard. I had a great time in the contest.
My neighbor, KC2TA, assisted me and did about a third of the
operating. We QSO'd on 21 Oct, starting on 1296, at 0810 DJ5MN
(O/559), 0819 OE5EYM (559/559), 0823 OH2DG (559/569),0832 K2DH
(559/569), 0839 F5PAU (559/569), 0846 SM2CEW (559/569), 0901
W2UHI (559/569), 0905 K5JL (569/569), 0910 G4CCH (569/559), 0919
W1QC (559/559), 0930 OZ6OL (559/559), 0938 OE9XXI (579/559),
0954 F6CGJ (569/569), 1009 DF4PV (559/559), 1016 G3LTF
(569/569), 1024 DK7LJ (55/44) on SSB #179, 1031 W5LUA (559/569),
1037 CT1DMK (559/559), 1043 WA9OUU (559/559) #180, 1056 OZ4MM
(569/569), 1119 SM3AKW (559/559), 1134 OH2AXH (559/559) and 1144
K3AX (559/559), then to 432, at 1217 DL9KR (579/579), 1228 N2IQ
(559/559), 1233 OH2PO (549/539), 1243 K8UC (559/459), 1255
SM3AKW (559/559), 1303 KL7HFQ (459/559), 1310 K1FO (579/569),
1315 K4EME (559/559) for initial #632, 1321 W7BBM (559/559),
1333 N9AB (559/559), 1339 DL3EAG (559/539), 1345 KA0Y (569/569)
and 1352 VE6TA (559/559), then back to 1296, at 1443 K5GW
(559/559) for initial #181, 1453 WA4NJP (449/559), 1500 W7QX
(559/549), 1503 K0YW (559/559) #182 and 1541 JA8ERE (559/559)
#183, switched back to 432, at 1656 K5AZU (559/579), 1704 JA5OVU
(559/559), 1713 JR4NWC (559/559), 1723 VK5AFL (549/559), 1731
JA2JRJ (O/O), 1742 JH4JLV (O/O) and 1751 JA6AHB (O/O). The next
day we began again on 70 cm and QSO'd at 0915 G4ERG (549/559),
0919 F6HYE (359/559), 0923 K8ISK (559/559) #633, 0930 HA5BDJ
(559/559) #634, 0940 LA9NEA (449/O) #635, 0954 OK2DL (559/559)
#636, 1003 G3SEK (559/559), 1007 G3HUL (559/559), 1013 DK3BU
(559/569), 1018 G4YTL (559/559), 1023 DL4KG (559/549), 1028
DJ3FI (559/559), 1032 DF3RU (559/559), 1036 DL4MEA (559/559),
1040 K0RZ (559/5559), 1046 DL1YMK (549/559), 1054 F/ON5OF
(549/559) #637, 1104 DL7APV (549/559), 1114 IN3KLQ (549/559)
#638 and G3LTF (559/569), and finished up on 1296, at 1154 F1ANH
(559/529), 1206 WA4OFS (549/559), 1211 HB9Q (559/539), 1233
OE5JFL (559/569), 1244 DL6LAU (449/559) #184, 1248 K4QI
(559/569), 1251 W7SZ (559/559), 1301 WA9FWD (559/549), 1308
PA3DZL (549/549), 1319 W1ZX/3 (559/549), 1352 F2TU (559/539),
1434 G4CCH (55/55) dup on SSB, 1601 WA8ZWG (549/559), 1609
WD5AGO (559/559), 1626 K9BCT (559/569), 1640 JA8IAD (559/559),
1747 JH5LUZ (559/559) and 1838 partial JA7BBM (O/-) – by the
time I figure out the correct call he was gone. We ended with a
score of 40x22 on 70 cm and 45x21 on 1296. A major problem for
us was tree blockage. Most of the JA QSOs were made with more
than half of the dish blocked by trees. The trees to the west
are not thick as they are to the east, so the loss is not that
great. The real problem is the increase in noise level. I am
looking forward to Nov when must of the leaves should be off the
trees. I was away on a business trip after the contest, but made
it back in time to work EA8/LA8LF #185.
NETNEWS
by
G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY
RW1AW had an initial during the contest in Oct on 432 with PA4FP
(449). He had 19 QSOs on 70 cm in the contest.
N2IQ (x-N2IQU)was active on both 70 and 23 cm during the 1st
part of the contest. On 70 cm Mark QSO'd UA3PTW andJA6AHB and
others.
KA0RYT should be QRV on 432 during Nov with a new yagi array. He
recently acquired a 12' dish for K0PW for future use on 23 cm.
K9BCT blew a fuse while working W2UHI.
KD4LT has been busy and was unable to put much time into the
contest in Oct. Scott did work EA8/LA8LF on 23 cm. He is
unlikely to be on in Nov, but may be on for 2 hours on moonrise
before he leaves for CO.
KJ7F will be looking for contacts on 432 during the contest.
K5GW was active on 23 cm in Oct.
WD5AGO was QRV on 1296 during the contest. Tommy also planned to
try 70 cm during the contest with 100 w.
VE1ALQ operated the contest using the call VE9DW. Unfortunately
Darrell caught the flu and had to limit his operation.
WA9FWD was active on 23 cm during the contest and worked 9
stations. John has a new VE4MA feed mounted and is getting good
echoes with 250 W. In the near future he plans to run 1 5/8"
line to his dish.
W4RDI was not QRV in Oct. He still has damage from a lightening
hit.
WA1JOF worked K5JL, K2UYH, K2DH, WA4NJP, W6HD and possibly
others in Oct. Don's tel is 207-628-4380. [I do not believe he
has e-mail.]
NU7Z is QRV on 5760 and looking for sked partners.
WA8WZG was QRV on 23 and 13 cm in Oct.
W7QX worked a total of 14 on 23 cm during the contest in Oct.
W5ZN had to work during the Oct contest weekend but hopes to be
on for the 2nd leg.
W7MEM (x-N7EIJ) heard a lot of stations on 70 cm during the
contest. He CWNR DL9KR, K1FO and N2IQ many times.
WA4NJP had good QSOs with WA1JOF and W7QX on 1296. He hopes to
have more power in Nov.
W1ZX/3 was active on 23 cm during the contest.
SM2CEW worked 30 on 23 cm with 4 new ones during the contest.
OZ9AAR's new dish construction is on hold until the spring.
K8UC worked about 20 stations on 432 during Nov.
VE4MA operated 13 cm during the contest in Oct and worked W5LUA
and OZ4MM, but reports bad libration on signals.
K2DH had around 60 QSOs on 23 cm during the 1st part of the
contest.
DL9KR worked 96x33
with 14 initials in the Oct contest weekend.
W7FN did not make it on for Oct. Don has an intermittent at the
his feed.
W0KJY reports poor condx in the contest and that 70 cm activity
was down. He is still working on his dish, and not presently QRV
on 1296.
W4AD worked 6 during the contest on 23 cm. He feels that his
preamp is not working quite right, although he is getting 13 dB
of sun noise. Jack can be reached by e-mail at
.
ON4UV although getting older (80) and having problems with his
wife's health is still interested in EME and working on his 3 cm
system. Gilissen expects to be QRV next year with a 3 m dish and
20 W.
K5WXN missed 1st weekend of contest - out of town QRL. He will
be on in Nov on 70 cm.
DL9KR has new e-mail address at:
Jan, DL9KR
Jan scored 97x33 in 1st leg on 432.
KL7HFQ made 16 contacts and 1 initial in the contest to bring
him to #50.
NL7F has moved to a new QTH. His new e-mail address is
wbeam@gci.net. His phone number is 907 457-2727 and his address
is 774 Miners Court, Fairbanks, Ak 99712-1340.
LU7DZ hopes to be on 70 cm soon from new grid FF78ra. He is
finishing up 4x33 el yagi array and GS23b PA. u will try to be
on 23 cm for the Nov contest weekend.
K3AX's score was 28x18 in the contest. Harry also worked
EA8/LA8LF.
FOR SALE
DL4KG is looking for a Bird 43 slug 1000D or 1000E (500 MHz/1000
W). His e-mail address is .
ON5RR
needs the address for companies
selling absolute encoders.
W4TH, Tom Hix reports that he is
selling Russian tubes in the
US. He says he can get just about any Russian tube you can think
of, and that he stocks GS-35b, GU74b/4CX800a, GS36b/4CX400a,
GS23b/4CX1600u, GU91b, GU-84, etc.
Tom's Tube WEB site is at:
Tom's Tubes Page
WB4BKC has for sale or trade a 432 kW amp using an 8938 tube
with H/V P/S and metering. Contact Andrew
at 770-529-6600 or:
for more details.
N1RWY is looking for info on using a 10' or 16'
dish on 903 and 1296. Please e-mail info to"
N1RWY
K9BCT has
complete "Plug & Play" 400 W 23 cm amplifier in a 12" x 17" x
27" rolling floor cabinet. Contact Randy at:
A HREF="mailto:K9BCT @aol.com"> K9BCT
for more details.
WA6KBL has working 10 GHz TWTs and Power Supplies for Sale. He
will have 5 or 6 sets of Hughes TWTs plus their power supplies
for sale soon. One set is already spoken for. These will be
tested and guaranteed working on 10.368 GHz with a minimum of
150 W output from an input of approximately 10 mW. Price
including complete documentation is $US 1500 for the set. There
will also be extra power supplies for sale.
Please see my
temporary webpage for more complete information and photos at:
TWT PAge
or contact Jeffrey Pawlan, WA6KBL at e-mail:
WA6KBL
or phone (408) 371-0256 (pse
only 1500-0300Z).
VE6TA is looking for plate bypass insulation material for a 4
tube 23 cm PA.
TECHNICAL
This month we have a diagram of JM7BMB's 70, 23 and
13 cm EME Feed. He starts with a standard IMU feed with circular
polarizer tuned for 2424. He flares the end of this to 60 mm and
places orthogonal probes 63 mm from the flare to form a 1296
feed (W5LUA). The probes are feed with an OE9PMJ quad hybrid
coupler (April 84 NL) to produce circular pol on 23 cm. The
plane reflector of a DL9KR Bi Square feed (March 84 NL) is
placed approximately 30 mm from the mouth of the 1296 horn for
432 operation.
FINAL
-- This is another one of those months. So this NL is a bit
rushed. I am writing this from the Seattle, WA airport. With
luck, I should have it in the mail by Wednesday.
-- There are no skeds this month because of the contest, so if the
NL arrives a little late it should not be a problem.
-- It is probably a little early to remind you that the 1296 SSB
Contest will be during the Feb SW. Please put it on your
calendar.
-- Speaking of calendars, I have the 2001 EME Calendar from G3SEK
and will publish it in the Dec NL.
-- I learned from the net that I5TDJ has been in the hospital for
more than a month. Piero does have access to his e-mail, but
obviously was not QRV in the contest. Lets hope that he recovers
quickly. We need him on the moon!
-- K1RQG has a new mailing address, see the NL masthead.
-- That's the news for this month. Please keep the reports and
tech info coming. I wish you all good luck in the final leg of
the ARRL EME. If we have not QSO'd already, I will be looking
for you.
73, Al - K2UYH
This information was obtained from:
Scott, KD4LT
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Rein, W6/PA0ZN
19990615