432 MHz AND ABOVE EME NEWS
FEBRUARY 1999 VOL 27 #2
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.
***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
There is sad news to report this month. GM3JFG, Iain passed away at the
age 85, just a few days ago. Iain was not real active on EME the last few years due to
his illness, but was a regular on 432 EME not that long ago. In fact he was the only active
EME station from GM. With Iain's passing Jim, GM4TXX, who reported Iain death, plans
to restart GM on the Moon.
There is not much to say about the 1st Jan SW conditions. They appeared reasonably good
at this location, but there was a great deal of activity because of WX and the holiday
season. The 2nd Jan SW should be more up beat with the 2nd SSB EME Contest on 1296 -
see rules below. This should also be a good warm up for the 1296 part of the REF/DUBUS
EME Contest which is schedules for the Feb SW. Full contest rules are at the end of this
NL.
Expect extra Moon activity during the weekend of 22/23 Jan for the ARRL's Jan VHF
Contest. EME contacts count in this contest which is on all bands above 50 MHz and
requires the exchange of only your 4-character grid square (FN20). WA8WZG has
organized a special contest station which will be operating from EN81 - see his report.
SSB EME CONTEST: The 2nd NL 23 cm EME SSB Contest is scheduled for the 30/31
Jan SW. To encourage maximum participation the contest time period corresponds to the
2nd SW Moon operating day. The contest starts at local moonrise on Saturday 30 Jan,
(This is the 2nd moonrise of the SW, the 1st is on Friday afternoon local time), and ends
on the following moonset on Sunday 31 Jan. Scoring will be contact points times number of
large Grid Sectors (IO, JM, FN, ...). SSB to SSB contacts will count as 2 points. SSB to
CW (or CW to SSB) 1 point. CW as well as SSB stations may enter the contest. The
exchange is your 2 letter Grid Sector. Operation may be by single or multiple operator
stations. No distinction for scoring will be made. Only one callsign per station may be
used during the contest. Contest logs should be sent to the K2UYH before March 14th. The
results of the contest will be announced in the NL and special certificates issued to the
highest scoring stations. Last years contest was well-attended and great fun. Expectations
are for an even greater turnout this year.
.
AA5C
Greg worked LX1DB (M/459) on 3 cm on 27 Dec for initial #18. He had good
EME conditions and WX for the sked. Polarization was linear, horizontal in the US/Canada
and vertical at LX1DB.
DL2LAC
Ernst is now QRV on 3 cm and interested in skeds. He can hear his own echoes
with a 4 m dish, 20 W TWTA and 1.3 dB NF LNA.
DL3EAG
Stephan writes from Austria -- On 27 Dec, I saw by accident the EME News of
DF3RU in the DX-Cluster. I tuned in on the Moon on 70 cm and heard him loud and clear.
I decided to switch on my amplifier. After fixing a small problem with the preamp, I worked
K1FO (539/439) - real loud sigs and N2IQU (559/539) - even louder. Then I called CQ and
worked N4GJV (O/O) and my last initial for 1998 W7CNK (O/O) #46.
The next day I went
to PA0 on vacation and came back on Sunday, 3 Jan, just in time to catch moonrise. Heard
were JA5OVU as strong as usual, DF3RU and DL9NDD, but I didn't switch on the amp. I
will be QRV for the next SW and will be looking for KD4LT, W7BBM and JA5NNS.
DL4KG
Gerald reports on the 1st Jan SW -- I worked on 432 DF3RU, DJ3FI for initial
#52, SM2CEW, JA5OVU, PA3CSG and OE5EYM #53.
K1FO was heard very loud when
his moon was at 3 deg elevation, but couldn't call him because I had just switched off
the PA. the condition were changing fast. I will move from grid JO31 to JN48 in the middle
of this year. So, if someone needs DL4KG as an initial from JO31, they should hurry. I will
dismantle the rig in June/July and as I have no new QTH yet, I don't know when I will be
back on EME. I can be contacted for skeds via e-mail at
Gerald, DL4KG
DL8OBU
Juergen is QRV on 432 and interested in skeds -- I have on 432 MHz 4 22 el
yagis and 1.2 kW. I am planning to expand my array to 4 x 28 el yagis in the spring. To
the west, I need an elevation > 10 deg (QRM from Hannover-city), preferably > 25 deg.
To the east, I can work from moonrise without any problems. During the last month I worked on
26 Dec OE3JPC (O/O) for initial #92 and I5MPK (559/549), on 2 Jan K1OR (0/0) #93,
JA5OVU (549/549), DF3RU (549/549) and F5FLN (449/549), and on 3 Jan K1FO
(449/549). Tests on 01, 02 and 03 Jan with WL7U were negative on both sides.
DL9KR
Jan reports superb conditions in both parts of the contest with no pol offset
whatsoever in Eur. On Friday 4 Dec freezing rain was predicted, but this fortunately did
not materialize. His contest log reads as follows: 10 Oct DK3FB, S52CW, DL9NDD, JA2TY,
UT3LL, YO2IS, G4ERG, HA1YA, SV1BTR, UT5DL, F1ANH, JA5OVU, HB9SV,
DJ5MN, JL1ZCG, OH2PO, S57Q, EA3DXU, 9H1BN, FOR INITIAL #701, and DXCC
82, ON5OF, CT1DMK, F5AQC, K1FO, UR5LX, ZS6PT, W8MQW, OH2DG, F5KDK,
DL7APV, DK3WG, SM3AKW, WA9FWD, K2UYH, VE1ALQ, W7CNK, I5TDJ,
G4ALH, N9AB, DF3RU, G3HUL, N4GJV, DK8VS, KR5V, UA6LGH, IK5QLO,
KB4CNI #702, (NL7Z), K5WXN, K0RZ, W6WE, W7QX, W7KK/6, W7GBI, K7XD,
K6DV, DL6NAA, OZ4MM, S51ZO, DL3EAG, UA9FAD, JJ1NNJ, JA5NNS, JH1EFA,
JR1RCH, (DH1NHI), JJ3JHP, DL4MEA, 7M2PDT, F5FLN, SK4BX, JH4JLV, JS3SIM,
DJ6MB, S57RA #703, EA2LY and OE5JFL, on 11 Oct G3LTF, DL1YMK #704,
IK5WJD, G4BRK #705, KA0RYT, K9BCT, PA2CHR, WB2VVV, HO3A, DL8OUB,
K1OR, N7LQ, WA7TZY, W0KJY, W7HAH and KL7HFQ, on 5 Dec VE1ZJ, GD4IOM,
N2IQU, F6CGJ, KD4LT, OE5EYM, DL6WU, OZ6OL #706, N2HTL, WE2Y, G4RGK,
UA4API, K5AZU, NC1I, W1ZX, W7CI, W7ALW #707, DJ3FI #708, W5ZN, WD5AGO,
WW2R #709, K5GW, (ON4CIW/A), I5CTE, I5MPK, W7BBM, W7FN, IK2EAD,
OM1TL, OH2BYJ, G3LQR, VK4AFL, PA3CSG, JH1XUJ, SM2CEW, IK6EIW and
IN3KLQ, and on 6 Dec UT1PA, KU3T, WA4NJP, DL4KG, (DL5MAE), DK5MV and
(DL0DYW). Contest points were not claimed for calls listed in (), i.e., NL7Z = KL7HFQ,
ON4CIW/4 = ON5FF, DL0DYW = DJ5MN, DL5MAE = DJ5MN and DH1NHI =
DL6NAA. Other dups were not shown in the log. On 5 Dec at 0440 Jan was called by a
VE3??? whose suffix got lost in the QSB. Jan's final score was 131x40. After the contest
he worked EG3TVC, a special event station in Barcelona.
F5FLN
Michel was QRV again on 432 during the 1st Jan SW. He worked JA5OVU,
DL8OBU, DL7APV, I5MPK, OZ4MM, I5TDJ and JS3SIM for initial #79.
Michel CWNR
JH4JLV.
F6DRO
Dom writes -- I am in the process of building a multi-band microwave EME
station with my main interest in the 6 and 3 cm bands. I already have build transverters
for both bands and have 20 W TWTAs on both bands. I have a 3 m solid 12 GHz Andrew dish.
I have been QRV on 144 MHz EME in the past. On that band there is plenty of info on
EME. Lots of articles on how to get QRV on 144/432 EME where published, but nothing
really complete on microwaves. It is really a problem. I saw articles by DF7FJ, but only
roughly on the propagation aspect of EME. I haven't seen any on hardware. I am interested
in getting info on tracking the moon, rotors used, or any other systems. It is in my opinion
the most critical part of the job is tracking. (The software part is OK with F1EHN and
other's). I haven't seen yet a complete article describing the system used for Moon noise
measurement, only partial schematics. Same about pol to use. [MW EME is not that
different from EME on 70 and 23 cm. I suggest you contact W5LUA and the NTMS. They
have an excellent NL. DUBUS is also packed with Microwave EME related articles.]
G3LQR
Simon says -- My activity last month was low during the Dec SW as WX was
poor and late night activity is not my best. I will try to be on for 30/31 Jan SW on 23
cm again. My GS90 amp for 13 cm is going, but not complete. It looks like another month
before I get the 13 cm system ready for Moon tests. My e-mail address is:
G3LQR, Simon
G3LTF
Peter writes -- The WX has been very difficult for EME with high winds. I was
not able to operate in the early hours of 2 Jan due to a very strong gale and notified
all sked partners that I could reach by email. In the evening it calmed down a bit and on 432 MHz
I worked JA5NNS for initial #335 with good signals. A later sked with IK5QLO didn't work,
although his sigs were good copy. Heard were JH4JLM, SM2CEW, OZ4MM and I5MPK.
On 1296 I was able to operate in the early hours of 3 Jan and QSO'd W7SZ for initial #142
with nice copy, but nil from WA9OUU presumably due to the ice storm in the US. Heard
were VE4MA, CT1DMK, DJ9QS and GW3XYW. By the evening the wind was up to gale
force again and so no operation was possible on my sked with 9H1ES. I have been working
on a better way of joining my 1.75" TX cable that will give me more power at the antenna
on 13 cm, but need a good patch of WX to install it.
HA5SHF
Csaba reports on his group's Jan results -- We were active in Jan on 1296 during
the 1st SW. I heard few stations and completed only 5 QSOs - all were on random. QSO'd
were on 02 Jan at 0028 W2UHI (449/429), 0036 K5JL (559/539), 0230 partial W2UHI
with K3HZO - I have to apologize, I missed 2 calls due to sked/relay switching problems
and 2143 HB9SV (569/559), and on 03 Jan at 0030 nil ON5RR sked, 0100 nil K2DH sked,
0123 K5JL (569/549), 0130 nil VE3BQN sked, 0151 F1ANH (449/539), 0200 nil K9ZZH
sked, 0230 nil IK6EIW sked, 0300 nil WD5AGO sked, 0330 nil VE4MA sked, 0400 nil
N6BQ sked, 0430 W7GBI sked, 1930 nil VK5MC sked and 2200 nil GW3XYW sked.
HB9BBD
Dominique has some comments on the contest -- I truly enjoyed the contest
with the new antenna. Basically everything seemed possible! I do remember the times when
I heard just one station with the old 2.4 m dish - HI. The equipment allowed uninterrupted
operation throughout the entire contest time. I made initial contacts on 23 cm with 12
stations: JA7BMB, W6HD, OE5EYM, NU7Z, IK3GHY, DH9FAG, DJ5MN, LU9EDR,
IK2RTI, JF3HUC, W3XS, WA9OUU and KB0PYO. This brings me up to Initial #124. I
remember very well the EME conference in Washington DC, when KB2AH and K5JL were
upset about stations winning the contest as a result of private skeds with tropo stations.
Tommy said that such stations will always score better than true random contesters. This
year, since I could hear everybody on the band, I recognized how right he was. I have
nothing against skeds, on the other hand, I believe these practices discourage competitive
contest operation, and cause stations not to announced their scores. I hope we can convince
everybody that secret skeds are not in the spirit of contesting. [I am afraid that I am
not in total agreement. It is often hard to judge what is "secret" and what is just "last minute."
It is "nice" to try to publicize such skeds, but this is not always possible - and who should
be on the list? Such skeds often bring stations on the Moon who would not be there otherwise
and thus ultimately result in more Moon activity.]
HB9SUL
Andrea reports on his TA operation plans -- I haven't received much feedback
yet. I'm now considering going by car, if I can persuade HB9DGX to come with me. In this
case I can use parts of my home 432 EME station. I expect to be abroad from the end April
to Oct due to my job. So, I must get ready soon. Activity during one leg of the '99 ARRL
Contest is under consideration.
I5TDJ
Piero was active quite a few hours on Saturday 2 Jan -- I found conditions fairly
good and Faraday rotation allowed me to hear my own echoes most of the time. I worked
on 70 cm JA5OVU, DF3RU, F5FLN, K1FO, OE5EYM and SM2CEW.
CWNR DL4KG
and heard PA3CSG, OH2DG and N2IQU. Here in Italy a new regulation regarding
electromagnetic radiation safety levels has been issued. We have to calculate the amateur
station field levels in residential areas, as you have to do in USA since 1998. Of course
we must consider also buildings roofs and walls attenuation. Do you know where building
attenuation data can be found? [Can anyone one help with this information? I know such
information is available for cellular telephone applications. I would like to publish a
summary in the NL.]
JA5OVU
Tom reports on his 70 cm contest activity -- I ended the contest with 87x29.
Stations worked were on 10 Oct F1ANH for initial #189, DL9KR, N9AB, K4QI, KR5V,
K0RZ - my 1000th EME QSO, N4GJV, WA9FWD #190, K5GW, W7QX, K1FO, W7CI,
7M2PDT, W8MQW, W7CNK, JH4JLV, N7LQ, JL1ZCG, K7XD, JA5NNS, SM3AKW,
DL8OBU, OH2PO, DL6NAA, S51ZO, UT3LL, DJ6MB, OM1TL, DL3EAG, HA1YA,
OZ4MM, DJ5MN #191 and OE5JFL, on 11 Oct HO3A, N2IQU, W7BBM, K5WXN,
WB2VVV #192, WE2Y, JA4BLC, JS3SIM, W7HAH, W7KK/6, KL7HFQ, UR5LX,
EA3DXU, UT5DL, G4ERG and IK5QLO, on 7 Nov VE1ZJ #193, VK4AFL, JH1XUJ,
DL9NDD, OM1TL, DL8OBU, UT3LL, I5CTE, DL3EAG, on 8 Nov UT3LL, DL8OBU,
OZ6OL #194, DL4KG, DL3EAG, on 5 Dec K2UYH, KA0RYT, WD5AGO, JH1XUJ,
W7KK/6 dupe, DL8OBU dupe, DL7APV #195, OH2DG, JJ1NNJ, DL4MEA, DF3RU,
G3LQR, OZ6OL, S52CW, F5FLN, I5CTE, I5TDJ, G3HUL, F6CGJ, IK5WJD, SV1BTR,
ON5OF, DK3FB, IN3KLQ, G4RGK, PA3CSG, S57RA #196, DL1YMK #197, F5KDK
and IK2EAD, on 6 Dec K1OR #198, K9BCT #199, KD4LT, JA3IAF, DL9NDD, DL4KG,
G3SEK, GD4IOM #200, I5MPK and OE5EYM, and on 12 Dec W7CNK and W7QX.
[Tom can be reached at e-mail:
Tom, JA5OVU
K3HZO
Harry had problems during the 1st Jan SW -- Unfortunately I had a failure of the
T/R relay at the dish feed. It was very intermittent and could not be trusted. I thus was
not QRV for my 3 Jan skeds. I sent e-mails to all skeds except S59DCD, IK3GHY and
DC6UW, whom I tried to reach via FAX. With the help of K3BFA I have removed the
preamp/relay box at the dish and have isolated the relay problem. I should be QRV in Feb.
However, I will be traveling to the UK on business until 20 Jan. I will not be able to
reinstall the preamp/relay box until I return and contingent upon the WX.
KB4CNI
Cowle's array was damaged in an ice storm just before the 1st Jan SW and he
was thus unable to make his skeds. He apologizes to all that he had skeds with. Cowle now
has finished repairs and is ready for skeds again. He should be QRV for the 2nd Jan SW
on 432.
KL7HFQ
Roger's antennas are damaged -- I had sustained winds of over 50 mph and 2 of
my yagis were bent, the el control is off by 22 degs and my az controll is off by 10 degs.
If it warms up, I will drop the array and try to repair it. The antenna system load up fine
though.
LX1DB
Willi is now active on 3.4 and 10 GHz -- On 27 Dec I made 3 QSOs on 10 GHz
with AA5C, W5LUA and VE4MA
in less than 1 hour. Signals from AA5C were (459),
W5LUA (559) and VE4MA (O). I had 30 W from a transistor amp. I believe this was the
1st 10 GHz QSO with a transistor PA. [Sorry, but 3 cm solid state QSOs have been made
before. The 1st was by OH2AXH in Aug 1995.] I used a 3.7 m Orbitron dish and NEC 325
preamp with waveguide flange directly mounted to a waveguide switch. I also have 9 cm
operating with 35 W to a circular pol feed similar to the feeds I use on 1296 and 2304.
I am just waiting for skeds.
OE9ERC
Erich's EME report for Jan -- I had very good contest- weekends, even though
10 min before the end of the 2nd weekend my elevation drive broke. The last station heard
was SM2CEW, but I could not work him. On both contest weekends I worked on 23 cm
the following new stations: DF4PV, OE5EYM, W4JSS, WA9OUU, W7SZ, IK2RTI,
JF3HUC, RW3BP and my #200 initial with DL8OBU. On 7/8 Nov on 5760 MHz I worked
CT1DMK for initial #16 and DXCC 12 (1st CT- OE QSO), OK1KIR, I6PNN, OE9PMJ,
VE4MA, W5LUA, JA7BMB, SM4DHN and IK2RTI.
I hope to have repaired my elevation
drive by the next SW. Results from the ARRL contest were 81x36 on 23 cm, 14x13 on 13
cm and 9x8 on 6 cm. My EME standings are as follows: 432 MHz #126, 27 DXCC, 22
WAS and 24 fields, 1296 MHz #200 35 DXCC, 28 WAS and 29 fields, 2300 MHz #44, 19
DXCC, 8 WAS and 15 fields, 5760 MHz #16, 12 DXCC, 2 WAS and 7 fields, and 10367
MHz #11, 7 DXCC, 3 WAS and 8 fields.
K1DFC
Zdenek is preparing for the 23 cm SSB Contest on 30/31 Jan. He will be calling
on SSB, but will also look for CW stations. He ended 1998 on 1296 with the following
EME Standings: initial #70 (165 QSOs), 25 DXCC and 13 WAS.
ON5RR
Marc's Dec contribution for the NL follows -- Getting the station ready on 4 Dec
was more exciting than usual. When I was setting the dish up, one of my neighbors came
by for a little talk. I continued to tow the dish up, but it came crashing down from about
10 m high. There is quite a big bang when about 1000 kg of metal (dish, sledge, counter weight,
etc.) hit a concrete block! Luckily no damage was done to the dish or the motors. I ran
a quick test with HB9BBD, (thanks Dominique), to see that all was OK. On 5 Dec I worked
6 stations, no initials. In the evening I started again, but around 2200 had to shut down
due to high winds. This year was the "worst" WX condition wise! I hope that next year will
be better.
RW3BP
Sergei is working on improving his 23 cm station. He has changed from linear pol
to circular. I also plan to reduce my LNA noise temperature and to add some PA power
(presently 300 W). It will be very interesting to see what can be done with minimum dish
size (1.65 m) to complete QSOs on 1296. I presently have 40 W on 3 cm and 30 W on 6
cm. My antenna is mounted on the wall of an apartment (16th floor), so I have AZ and EL
limits. AZ from 206.5 degs to moonset. EL no more then 42.5 degs. This means that practi-
cally I have no AZ/EL limits in my US/Canada window. I have 5 initials on 23 cm
OE9XXI,
OE9ERC with linear pol in Dec, and on 7 Jan K5JL (O/529), on 8 Jan SM2CEW (O/O) and
on 10 Jan HB9BBD (O/539) with CP.
Many thanks to them for big dishes and nice
contacts. [Sergei's e-mail address is:
Sergei, RW3BP
SM2CEW
Peter's NL report -- During the holidays I managed to work two small stations
on 23 cm EME. The 1st was on 25 Dec, DJ5MN (O/M) for initial #107 (2 x 70 el yagis),
then on 8 Jan RW3BP (O/M) #108 (1.65 m dish, 300 W) . Signals from both stations were
good considering conditions. On 70 cm I worked on 1 Jan KD4LT, OZ6OL for initial #353,
DL5FN, JH4LJV, DL4KG, OE5EYM and I5TDJ.
I felt that the receiver was good as the
whole antenna and the preamps were cooled to -25C. Winter conditions are sure good, but
activity suffers because of the WX. I will be active again on 23 and 70 during the 2nd
Jan SW, WX permitting.
VE6TA
Grant reports that he is again QRV on 23 cm from his new QTH in DO33gs. He is
interested in skeds. Grant is using a 5 m dish and 275 W PA.
W1ZX
Willie was on 70 cm on 2 Jan and worked at 0239 WA4NJP (569/559), 0331
W7HAH (569/569) and 0412 W7CNK (449/559) . Willie is still having a problem hearing
many Eur stations off the Moon due to lots of QRM on the same freq and signals all about
the same signal level. When answering Willie's CQs, 3 or 4 stations all call on the same
freq and time. Willie suggests that stations answering his CQs move off his freq 1 or 2 kHz
or so. He is sorry, but thankful for the calls. Willie also suggests that when he sends "Ys"
with QRZ, please return with your callsign only. Willie will again be active on the 30/31 Jan
SW on 70 cm, as he is still working the his 1296 equipment.
W5ZN
Joel is looking for 70 cm skeds with the following states: OR, NV, NM, UT, ID,
MT, WY, ND, SD, NB, WI, SC, PA, RI, MA, VT, NH, MA and HI. He is also looking for
QSL cards from KL7HFQ, WA4NJP, F5FEN, W0KJY and W7QX.
W7EME
Jeremy in ID (DN14wx) is now QRV on 432 EME -- I am looking forward to
working many of you on 70 cm. On 2 Jan I had beautiful echoes on CW and SSB. I am now
running 1.3 kW into a 336 el hor or vert array - no in between. Unfortunately I will not
be available for sked in Feb as I will be gone to SA. Jeremy can be reached on e-mail at:
Jeremy, W7EME or tel at 208-634-1276.
W7GBI
Charlie did not do much during the 1st Jan SW -- I had trouble staying on the
Moon and did not hear anything during my HA5SHF sked. I did work
NL7F again. I am
getting a new indicator setup from VE1ALQ, and if I can keep my camera working things
should improve. I finally found the main culprit causing all my Hi voltage supply problems.
It was a vacuum relay arcing internally with no visible evidence of the arc. The relay
checked OK otherwise. It eventually took out a lot of the other parts in the supply. Good
thing that I have a well stocked junk box, HI.
W7HAH
Shep brings us up to date on his recent 70 cm Moon activity -- Here is a list of
contacts starting back in Oct. I contacted on 10 Oct UR5LX, K5GW, N9AB, DL9KR,
OH2PO, OE5JFL, N4GJV, G4ERG for initial #182, K1FO, DL4MEA #183, HA1YA
#184, K5WXN, JA4BLC, JA5OVU, on 31 Oct W7ALW #185, 6 Nov IK5QLO #186, on 7
Nov K7XD #187, DL9NDD, DF3RU, WA7BBM, on 8 Nov SV1BTR #188, DL8OBU
#189, on 5 Dec N2IQU, DL9NHD #190, F5FLN #191, WD5AGO, OZ4MM, K0RZ,
W7CNK #192, and on 2 Jan N4GJV, W1ZX, W7CNK, WE2Y #193 and K7XD.
I had a
sked with HP3XUG but nil was heard. My score for ARRL EME Contest was 21x15 on 70
cm. I worked both 144 and 432 during the contest and had a total score of 489,200 points.
W7KK
Dave is now up to initial #23 on 432 -- During the 2nd leg of the contest, on 70
cm, I worked 5 Dec 0828 N4GJV dupe (439/449), 1254 N9AB for initial #20 (O/M), 1355
K0RZ #21 (O/O), 1413 W7QX (O/O) and JA5OVU dupe (459/449), on 6 Dec at 0805
OZ4MM (549/429) - my total for the contest was 12x12, on 2 Jan at 0430 K2UYH #22
(O/O), and on 3 Jan at 1155 7M2PDT #23 (O/O).
I think the cavity preamp I bought from
Ron, KA0RYT, is doing a great job. I need to do a little more antenna work though to get
things up to snuff. I still have not heard my own echoes. What is convention on Doppler
shift compensation for skeds? Should one compensate for Doppler before TX, or just TX
exactly on the sked freq? [This issue has been debated many times. The "official" policy
is that you should TX on the sked freq, i.e., do not compensate for Doppler. Most stations
will do this when transmitting 1st. However, they are in the 2nd sequence and hear the
sked station during the 1st period, most will set their frequency so that their echoes fall
on the same frequency as they hear the sked station.]
WA4NJP
Ray notes that he can be on 222 EME with a little notice -- It takes me about 1
hour to set up. I use the 36' dish and do have polarity control. I run about 800 W at the
dish with .2 dB NF. I have very good echoes, the last station I worked used only 2 long yagis.
I need 20 deg of elevation at 0 deg to plus Moon dec. In Jan on 70 cm I worked 3 initials
with N2HLT, K7XD and DJ3FI. I would like to stir up some more interest in EME on the
220 band. I am also interested in working someone in SA on 1296.
WA8WZG
Tom announces that WA8WZG will be operating multi-op from Ohio
(EN81om) in the ARRL's Jan VHF contest. They are looking for skeds on 70 cm, 23cm and
13 cm EME. Please respond to: Tom, WA8WZG
The crew will be
WA8WZG, WA8RJF, N2CEI, W5ZN, W5LUA and KE8RO.
WL7U
Mike was QRV in Dec for the contest -- Conditions for the contest were poor in
Alaska due to high levels of aurora activity. I spent one night down at KL7X's QTH on 2
m worked OH2PO for initial # 24 during moonrise on the 2nd day of the Dec contest, but he
was one of 2 stations heard with no NA stations copied. Earlier in the month I had a good
QSO with VE1ALQ for initial # 23. I am available for skeds and require 8-9 deg of el.
ZS6AXT
Ivo's year started with some problems and bad news, but he is hopeful the year
will continue better -- On 27 Dec quite a few 23 cm CQs brought only 3 stations
KD4LT,
VE1ZJ and K5JL - all with very good signals. I QSO'd on 2 Jan
F2TU, DF3RU, HB9SV
and OH2DG, again with good signals. An approaching storm forced me off the air, so I was
not QRV for the NA window. In going through my QSO records at the end of the year, I
found that I am missing quite a few QSL cards - especially for 23 cm! It is frustrating
to put bad experience with QSLing 1st, I wait for a QSL and reply 100%, no SASE needed. Funny
that for 13 cm only 2 QSLs are missing, while on 23 cm it is nearly 40%!
K2UYH
WX problems finally hit during the 2/3 Jan SW. WX was OK the 1st night on
432, but the 2nd night it was impossible to operate. So I never made it to 1296. On 70
cm I QSO'd on 2 Jan at 0300 partial WA4NJP (559/-) - he only responded with QRZ, 0313
W7CNK (559/559), 0340 partial W7CI (569/-) - only could get QRZ, 0401 DF3RU
(559/559), 0422 N4GJV (569/579), 0430 W7KK (559/O) for initial #607, 0452 OZ6OL
(O/O) #608, 0511 WE2Y (559/569) and 0530 CWNR W7QX - many times. Conditions
seemed good with very little peaking when rotating polarization. But propagation was often
one way with me hearing stations that could not copy me. This is unusual as reception is
usually the problem at my end.
NETNEWS
by G4RGK, David Dibley
OE9XXI
(Peter, OE9PMJ and Reinhilde, OE9YTV) have a new e-mail adresss:
Peter, OE9PMJ
WA6PY
is the new call sign of SM0PYP. Paul feels this call is better for EME and has
similarities to his previous one.
UR5LX in 1st Jan SW nil from CT1WB and W7ALW.
UT3LL was active during the 2/3 Jan SW and worked PA3CSG for an initial, DL9NDD
and DL7APV. He is interested in skeds.
UA4API is also interested in skeds.
9H1ES is working on a YH1198 TWT power supply for10 GHz.
DL8YHR reports all is looking fine for the 3V8 expedition. The grid will be JM46.
N4GJV worked DJ3FI and VK4AFL on sked and copied DL5FN in Jan.
NU7Z is still working on his hydraulic system.
WB7QBS is interested in getting on EME.
K1FO is slowly re-assembling his shack, then he will be on regularly again. Steve was only
on for 5 hrs on 2nd weekend of the ARRL Contest. He ended up with a score of 102x34.
DL9NDD scored 82x32 in contest on 432.
DJ5MN is looking for skeds on 23 cm. He needs QSL cards from KB2AH and OE9XXI.
He wishes to clarify the following: DJ5MV is his brother and is operating DJ5MV.
DL0DYW is a club station call sign and used at many different locations and by various
different operators.
VE6MA is still having problems with his OZ9CR amp. Barry is running about 250 W on 23
cm. He has not yet completed the power supply for a new 23 cm GI7B PA. He worked
LX1DB on 10 GHz.
W7SZ is making good progress on a 2nd 23 cm 7289 amp.
DK3WG is awaiting QSLs from KA0RYT, K5GW, N6OVP and WA5ETV.
ON5OF is in 3A land where Dirk visited 3A2MD and 3A2MS and is investigating the
possibility of EME operation as discussed at the Paris Conference. 23 cm is the best option
at this time. Dirk needs help with antennas and logistics.
SV1BTR has been on a trip to OE land. Jimmy will be QRV on 70 cm again at the end of
Jan. He reports that with the help of many stations his receiver is now much improved.
K2DH missed his 1296 HA5SHF sked due to bad WX – 50 mph winds, snow and sleet.
W4TJ has his 4-tube amp running. It is now just a matter of getting his 13' dish mounted
to be QRV on 23 cm.
W2UHI reports he is buried in 4' of snow. But his station is OK and QRV on 23 cm.
FOR SALE
DD1XF has for sale a 13 cm cavity with one tube (100 W). Contact
Frank at e-mail:
DD1XF
W1ZX has the following items for sale:
MFJ-784 Super DSP filter
$US150, HP 415E SWR
Meter-brown unit (later build unit) $US95, Bird 43 wattmeter
$US190 with a new meter
movement, (2) Bird 43 wattmeter,
fair condition (cracked/broken meter face- needs paint
job) $US120 or best offer, and Noise Com Noise Diodes NC305,
glass package $US33, flat
package $US42. Prices do not include the cost of shipping. Call Willie at 301 645 5584
between 2000-2300 EST, FAX 301 645 6853, 24 hrs, e-mail:
Willie, W1ZX
looking for a T connector with N male-N male and bottom
N female. He would
really appreciate if somebody has one or two silver plated, or any good quality ones. They
are needed for stubs, and Jimmy can not find any in SV.
K9BCT/4 has
Al radiator assemblies with 4" muffin fan,
all self contained except pump for $25 apiece. Also
2 sets of nipples 1/8" - 3/8"
K9BCT/4 or
K9BCT/4 or tel 954-472-3846.
W7QX has
a Fluke 8920 meter
for sale and is looking for info a pick-up point for the IF in
the TS-520.
W4AD is
looking for an HP series ac voltmeter.
ON4OF
needs the call of the guy that sold him a F-6007 tube
at the Paris Conference.
KB2AH has
a full line of cavity amps and 1, 2, 4 and 6 tube ring amps, lin/circular feed
horns and LNAs for 432 and 1296. Tom also has
mounting blocks for K1FO yagis.
For full
details see Tom's 1296 WEB page at:
KB2AH's 1296 Page
For more details and pricing info e-mail:
Tom, KB2AH , or phone 908-223-5067,
FAX 908-223-0901 (24 hrs) or voice 908-223-8124.
FINAL
NU7Z is working on his microwave EME address list. Please get your updates in
NOW to Rick. He is thinking of putting the directory on the WEB and asks what the best
format? I had hoped to print a preliminary copy of the list in this month's NL. But it
is in EXCEL format and there is just no what I can fit it. Possibly I can work something out
with Rick for next month.
There are some very interesting dxpedition possibilities coming up. See HB9SUL's report
and DL8YHR and ON4OF's comments in the Netnews section of this NL. I will try to keep
you informed of developments.
Don't forget N2IQU's conference, EME Symposium 99, a beginner's workshop,
scheduled for 20-21 Aug in Syracuse, NY – see last month's NL. Preparations are reported
to be moving along well. It should be worth attending just to see Mark's dish.
Please keep the technical material (always needed!) and the reports coming in.
We are hoping for good WX for the SSB and hope to work many of you then.
73, Al – K2UYH.
EUROPEAN WORLDWIDE (EU WW) EME CONTEST 1999
*******************************************
Sponsored by REF and DUBUS
The EU WW EME contest is intended to encourage worldwide activity on
moonbounce. Everybody can enter!
Multipliers are DXCC countries plus *** ALL W/VK/VE STATES ***
This gives equal chances for stations from North America, Europe and
Oceania.
The rules reward random QSOs, but do not penalize skeds on 2.3GHz or
above.
1. Contest Dates & Periods
The contest happens during two full weekends: 144 and 1296MHz on the
FEBRUARY weekend, and 432MHz and all other bands on the MARCH weekend.
Each weekend of the contest begins at 00:00 UTC on Saturday and ends at
24:00 UTC on Sunday.
2. Bands and dates
First weekend: 144MHz and 1296MHz 27/28 FEBRUARY 1999
Second weekend: 432MHz, 2300MHz and above 27/28 MARCH 1999
3. Sections
432MHz 400kW EIRP
1296MHz 600kW ERP
2300MHz no separate QRP/QRO categories
QRO On 144, 432 and 1296MHz, stations with EIRP equal to or
Greater than stated above.
PRO Non-amateur equipment or antenna.
PRO stations will have scores listed separately.
There are no separate multi-operator classes. Multi-operator and QRO
stations will be highlighted in the general classifications.
4. Exchange
Callsigns + TMO/RST + R.
5. Scoring
100 points for each random QSO completed.
10 (ten) points for each sked QSO completed on bands below 2.3GHz.
100 points for each sked QSO completed on 2.3GHz or higher bands.
6. Multipliers
Each DXCC country (except W/VE/VK), or EACH INDIVIDUAL STATE worked in
W/VE/VK.
Multipliers count only if worked by RANDOM (except on 2.3GHz or
above).
States and provinces can be determined after the contest using
address lists in recent Newsletters or in DUBUS.
7. Total scores
Single band entries: sum of points multiplied by sum of multipliers.
There will be one QRP winner and one QRO winner on each band.
Multiband entries:
(Total sum of points on all bands) * (total sum of multipliers on all
bands)
There will be one QRP multiband winner and one QRO multiband winner.
Multiband stations will also be listed as an entry on each separate band
worked, and can also win single-band awards.
10. Reporting
Copy of the log for each band with details of points, multipliers and
total points.
The following information MUST also be included for each band:
1. Output power, transmit cable loss, antenna type and gain.
2. Working category: QRO/QRP single/multi operator
3. Name(s) and signature(s) of all operators
4. Locator/State.
Other information is welcome: Comments, conditions, grid locator,
other station details, photographs, etc...
11. Awards
A certificate will be sent to each entry. All QRP/QRO band winners and
QRP/QRO multiband winners will receive a trophy.
In each section, the highest-scoring station in the southern hemisphere
will receive a special certificate.
12. Logs
Log entries MUST be postmarked no later than 30 days after the end of
the second weekend (i.e. in the mail or e-mail by 27 APRIL 1999),
to the following address:
DUBUS Verlag EME Contest
P.O. Box 500368
D-22703 Hamburg
Germany
Fax: (++49)40-8508972
You can also e-mail your log directly to: Dubis
All e-mail entries will be acknowledged within one week.
13. Referee
Responsible for rules and general questions is:
Ian White, G3SEK
52 Abingdon Rd.
Drayton, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4HP
England
Tel.: (++44)1235-531559
E-Mail: G3SEK
Good Luck in the Contest !
For REF: Philippe Martin, F6ETI
For DUBUS: Rainer Bertelsmeier, DJ9BV
Referee: Ian White, G3SEK
73 from Ian G3SEK Editor, 'The VHF/UHF DX Book'
'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)
G3SEK
TECHNICAL
G3LTF sends these very useful couple of curves that enable
you to construct transitions between different size coaxial cables or to
build your own connectors for terminating big cables with minimum VSWR.
When it says "right-angle" it means a step transition rather than a taper
transition. Peter has used this sucessfully for many years up to 2320
MHz.
Slide1
Slide2
This information was obtained from: Scott, KD4LT
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Rein, W6/PA0ZN
19990118
