432 MHz AND ABOVE EME NEWS
NOVEMBER 1999 VOL 28 #11
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
The 1st part of the EME Contest went reasonably well,
but there is bad news from Australia. VK3UM, is in hospital
recovering from a stroke. He is now doing well and expected to
full recovery, see his report later in this NL. Band conditions
were mixed. They could not have been that bad on 70 cm as KB2AH
reports working K1FO and N2IQU on random using his 20' dish and
only 6 W! I thought they were pretty good on both 70 and 23, but
many disagree. Bad WX may have contributed to some these
reports. A large part of Eur had problems with wind and
generally poor WX. But no matter the WX, all are planning to be
back on the Moon in Nov!
HIGH SCORES
It is difficult to predict the high scorers this
year. On 70 cm DL9KR appears in the lead with 86x32,but I do not
have the scores for many potential leaders as OH2PO, K1FO and
other serious contenders. DL9NDD is doing well with 79x30, but
is followed closely by DF3RU with 73x31. On 1296 it is anybody's
game without OE9XXI. VE1ALQ may be number one with 42x33.
DD1XF
Frank reports on the 1st contest weekend -- On Saturday I
found conditions to be very bad. Sometimes I heard nothing from
the big guns. I think we had aurora. On Sunday the wind speed was
over 50 km/h. So I worked only a few stations.
DJ5MN
Bernhard e-mails -- It seems that our WX does not like my
EME-activity! The 1st day of the contest we had very wet fog and
the Moon was never visible. The 2nd day there was "only" normal
fog, but the wind come up and tried to turn my dish. For this
reason I was only active for 4 hours on Sunday, gaining just 7
QSOs. My preliminary 23 cm results for the Oct part of the
contest are 27x18. It was lots of fun despite the bad WX and
condx. I worked HB9BBD, JA6CZD for an initial (#), EA3UM, OE5EYM
#, F5PAU #, ON5RR, S59DCD, DF4PV #, G3LTF, OZ6OL #, DL0SHF #,
CT1DMK, K5JL, OE9ERC, N2IQU, KD4LT, VE1ALQ, K2UYH and HB9SV - all on
random. Also heard were OK1DFC, DH9FAG and OH2AXH. I was called
by 2 stations for which I could not get the call. I am very happy
with my small dish. Running it for 3 months, I managed to work 51
different stations. Of course the size of any dish is ALWAYS TOO
SMALL! I know that my signal off the Moon is good. Stations can
hear me thanks to my ultimate TH327 power. For all those calling
for me without getting a reply, keep in mind that it is only a 3
m dish on my side. Looking at the average power on 23 cm, I am
perhaps running at least 3 or more dB higher power than many
others. During the weekend I heard at least 12 stations, which I
could not write into my contest log. Additionally I missed some
of the big guns as OE9XXI. WA6KBL called for me at 0820, but half
of my tiny dish was already blocked by trees. Comments and
suggestions concerning my EME procedure are very welcome. I
desired to improve my station and operating, as I am still a
greenhorn on 23 cm EME. I am again available and open for skeds
on 23 EME. In particular I am looking for SA (LU6DW/LU8EDR and
PY5ZBU) to complete WAC. In Nov I plan to be QRV on 23 cm and may
also give 70 cm a try with a single yagi.
DK3FB
Ruediger was quite active during the 1st leg of the ARRL
contest. He found the conditions worse than normal. Compared to
other SWs the signals of DL9KR and OH2PO were rather weak (~52).
He managed 11 QSOs and had 5 CWNRs. He heard 5 more with no try.
QSO'd were OH2PO, OZ4MM, DL9KR, DL1YMK, K1FO, N2IQU, DF3RU,
DL9NDD, OE5JFL, N9AB and N4GJV. CWNR were F5FEN, DL4MEA, DJ3FI,
JL1ZCG and JA5OVU. Heard were DK3WG, DK6LN, HA1YA, G3LTF and
RW1AW. Ruediger will be QRV for the 2nd leg.
DK3WG
Jurgen on 432 scored 31x? in the 1st contest weekend. He
had initials with UA3PTW, DL1YMK, W7SZ and DJ3FI to bring him to
initial #357. He is missing QSLs from N2HLT, K5GW, N6OVP and
W0RRY/5.
DL3EAG
Stephan had the same feeling about conditions as
Ruediger, although he found the 1st night better than the 2nd. He
heard many stations, but worked only 14. Stephan worked only 2 Ws
and no JAs. He hopes to do better in the 2nd part. Contacted were
OH2PO (539/O), ON5OF (O/O) for initial #49, K1FO (539/549),
DL9NDD (439/449), DL9KR (539/549), OZ4MM (539/549), DL1YMK
(O/429) (#50), F5FEN (539/439), DF3RU (439/449), DL4MEA (O/M),
OE5JFL (549/549), N9AB (O/M), F5FLN (O/O) and OE5EYM (O/O). It is
interesting that no JA was logged! He heard and CWNR JL1ZCG
several times, but always received no response - sigs were
between O and 52.
DL4MEA
Guenter's report for the ARRL contest part I -- I was QRV
for both of my passes of the Moon, but slept too much while the
Moon was up. You should not go to the swimming pool with your
children in advance of the contest... Here is a list in
alphabetical order of QSOs: 7M2PDT, DF3RU, DJ3FI, DJ6MB, DK3BU,
DK3WG, DL1YMK, DL3EAG, DL6WU, DL9KR, DL9NDD, EA3DXU, F1CH, F5FEN,
F5FLN, G3LTF, G3SEK, G4TL, HA1YA, IK5WJD, JA5NNS, JA6AHB, JH4JLV,
JL1ZCG, K0RZ, K1FO, K2UYH, K5GW, K5WXN, N2IQU, N4GJV, N9AB,
OE3JPC, OE5EYM, OE5JFL, OH2DG, OH2PO, ON4KNG, ON5OF, OZ4MM,
PA0AVS, S52CW, SM3AKW, UT5EC and YO2IS. Initials were IK5WJD,
F1CH, DJ3FI, DL1YMK, F5FEN, G4TL, OH2DG, PA0AVS, S52CW, UT5EC and
YO2IS. I had a total of 46 QSOs, which is more than I worked in
both legs last year. There was a GGM?? calling me. Sorry, I never
was able to solve the puzzle. Can anyone help me? I fell asleep
for a few hours mostly during the NA window. In the next part I
will be QRV mostly during that time period. This time there was
no burning power supplies, no exploding capacitors, no arc-overs.
Only a few minor problems due to a cold solder in the FT847 and
because my smartlevel elevation indicator sometimes stopped in
the self-acquiring mode. I am really looking forward to the 2nd
part and hope to have the same success then. It seems my system
is now working really fine. I did not have problems copying
others as I remember them from the past. The equipment used was
FT847, TP3069 driver, GS35b final, 7/8" cable, ATF35076 BV LNA
and 6 x 33 el BV-opt yagis with parallel wire feed -
(see DL4MEA )
I have received
several phone calls about how I feed my 6 antennas. Principally
its a star configuration. There is no transformation at the
lines. The basic idea is that 6 times 300 ohms in parallel gives
50 ohms. The parallel wires are 300 ohm impedance (4 mm wire at
24 mm distance). The only impedance transformation is done at the
driven element of the yagis - the DJ9BV-OPT already need a
transforming dipole. This is a part of the feedlines, so there
are no connectors anywhere. When in such a configuration the
feedline length need not be a multiple of a half wavelength. The
VSWR of my antenna was 1:1.5 without any alignment.
DL8OBU
Juergen worked K4AR on 70cm on 22 Oct at 2300 for initial
#108. Jurgen reports that signals were pretty good (429 up to
449). This was his 1st EME-QSO on 70 cm. Jurgen is still waiting
for the QSLs from KA0RYT/0 and W7ALW.
DL9KR
Jan reports that RV4AQ now has 4 yagis and 800 w. Jan
worked one initial thus far in the contest,
N3FA (FN21bg) for a
score of 86x32 in the first leg. He asks, who is F6KHM ? He is
also looking for info on 2 new JA stations JA8IW and JR4IUH. Jan
is now up to initial #723.
G3LQR
Simon sends a line to say he's still around – I have not
been active too much of late. I have no 432 MHz elevation at the
moment. I hope to have it fixed by the next EME weekend. My TX
for 23 cm is in bits, but I should have it up and running by next
time - it all seems to take longer now. I spent the 1st weekend
on 13 cm and only worked 2 stations, OK1KIR
and OE9ERC. I called
CQ Sunday morning for 4 hours, but only heard my own echoes. I
shall be looking for more next time.
F1ANH/P
Jean reports 11 QSOs during the 1st leg of the contest
with his mini portable station in IN88mr. He QSO'd F5PAU for
initial #3, HB9BBD, OE5EYM #4, K5JL, N2IQU #5, K4QI #6, OE5JFL
#7, OH2AXH #8, HB9SV #9, OZ4MM #10, and F6CGJ #11. He also
reports hearing EA3UM, DL0SHF, OE9ERC and K2UYH.
G3LTF
Peter enjoyed the 1st leg even though the WX was a bit
windy and
70 cm was even a bit more frustrating than usual -- There was a
noticeable
absence of US stations, which I gather was because you guys also
had WX
problems. My scores were on 13 cm 2x2, on 23 cm 29x20 and 70cm
32x16. I started on 13 cm on 30 Oct and worked OK1KIR and OE9ERC
with G3LQR a CWNR. I switched to 23 cm at 0310
and worked S59DCD,
ON5RR, HB9BBD, OZ6OL, F5PAU, DJ5MN, SM3AKW, CT1DMK, DL0SHF on
SSB, VE1ALQ, DF4PV, K3HZO, KD4LT, N2IQU, K5JL, EA2UM, OH2AXH,
PA3CSG, OE9ERC, K2UYH and DD1XF. At 1000 things were getting slow
on 23, so I switched to 70 cm and I worked G3SEK, DL9KR, K2UYH,
SM3AKW, OH2PO, SM2CEW, N9AB, IK2EAD, DK3BU and K1FO - ending at
1130. Later at 2300 (moonrise) I went back to 23 cm and worked
OK1DFC, JH5LUZ, OE5JFL (now 31 Nov=), JA6CZD,
OH2DG and HB9SV. I
then changed the feed again to 70 cm for the JA window, and
worked JA6AHB for initial #347, JL1ZCG, DK3WG, OE5EYM, DJ6MB,
OE5JFL, JA5NNS, HA1YA, DL9NDD, DF3RU, OZ6OL, N2IQU, G4ALH,
DL4MEA, W7CNK, F1FEN, K0RZ, DL1YMK #348, ON4KNG, DJ3FI #349,
F5FLN and RW1AW. The wind was getting too high by this time so I
quit, but it later eased and with the elevation at only 6 degs, I
worked on 23 cm W7CS and WA90UU for initial #150 – quite amazing
as the moon was behind an oak tree and about half the dish was
obscured by a hedge! CWNR on 70 cm were 7M2PDT, JH1XUJ, JH4JLV,
JS3SIM, ON5OF, I5CTE, UA6LGH, K5WXN, W7SZ and UT5EC. Heard were
JR3AWE, DL6WU, UA3JPC and N4GJV. The pol was variable and
difficult to predict. I think that had a lot to do with my high
CWNR number. On 23 cm the CWNR were only W1ZX, W2UHI and F1ANH/P,
who was a good readable signal, but couldn't get my call in 45
minutes of trying. The worst gotaway was VK5MC, who came back to
my call, but he disappeared before we could complete. I now have
a good window to the east, something I've not had for 25 years!
I've built a motor/gearbox system for remoting [Peter is using a
polar mount] the dish declination drive to the shack. I'm also
continuing to work on the 13 cm system to get more power.
G3SEK
Ian's 432 contest report -- Getting ready for the contest
was a real skin-of-teeth job. I replaced the antenna changeover
relay and all the other N stuff with 7/16 DIN connectors, and was
just finished by Friday evening. There was no time to test before
moonrise, but it all worked FB. I finished the weekend with
48x23, a bit below my previous best, but not bad considering the
level of activity. As usual there were lots of stations working
the big guns who were good copy here, but if the don't tune for
the weaker CQs, there is no way to get to them. If it all holds
together, I'll be back on in Nov and hoping for a lot more
activity!
HA5SHF
Csaba (HA5BGL)'s group was not active during the 1st Oct
SW (2-3 Oct) because of its conflict with the IARU Region I
UHF/SHF Contest -- During the 30-31 Oct ARRL EME Contest we made
9 QSOs on 1296. Unfortunately we had only few hours to be QRV. We
QSO'd on 30 Oct HB9BBD, SM3AKW, OE9ERC and K5JL, and on 31 Oct
OH2AXH, HB9SV, VE1ALQ, K4QI and OE5JFL.
HP3XUG
Louis had departed on a trip, and things seemed to be
going well, when the engine quit and he had to cancel his travel
plans. Louis thus decided to give the contest a try on Friday
evening -- I attempted to get the 432 system on the rising moon,
but it had developed a 50% VSWR! I checked the antennas, but
couldn't find anything obvious. WX was a problem. There was a
thick fog and near constant drizzle with periods of heavy down
pouring rains. This made it impossible to effect a quick fix. The
next day I did get the system working again - water in a
connector was found, but still nil echoes. However, I was able to
QSO N2IQU and K5GW. I tried K1FO, but the Moon was going behind a
hill at 11º. I was surprised I heard him at all. I hope my luck
will be better in Nov.
IK2MMB
Sergio is a new station on 1296 EME -- I wanted to
announce that the 12' dish I've been working on for the past
months is finally on the mast. 23 cm will be my starter band.
With a solar flux 151 at 10.7 cm, I had 13.3 dB from the Sun.
This matches pretty much the my calculated figures. I know I'm a
'small gun' but I'm satisfied [for now]. The antenna is mounted
on a condominium, so there is not much as I can do antenna wise.
I am completing adding an automatic AZ/EL readout/tracking
(F1EHN) system and after that a TH308 power amp. The cavity has
already been tested at > 600 W out. It is only a matter of
building the power supply and placing the whole thing in a decent
box. I have been a microwave operator for quite a long time
(started in 1979) and of course all my HW is homebuilt. EME has
always been in my heart and head, but until now I had no space
for the antenna. I know very well and frequently visit Enrico,
HB9SV, to whom I owe all my enthusiasm for EME. I consider him my
'EME Father'. I live one hour by car from his home/station. (If
someone needs to e-mail Enrico, it can done through me.) I
speak/visit him quite often. My target is to be QRV by the end of
Nov. I've been an SWL for the past 2 weekends and heard HB9SV,
I0UGB, DF4PV and some 7 other stations checking echoes, but
unfortunately never sending calls. I'll let you know when I'm
ready.
IK5WJD
/FONT>
Alex writes that this year, for the 1st leg of the ARRL
EME Contest -- I worked on 2 bands: 10 GHz with the call I5PPE
and on 432 MHz with my call IK5WJD. On 3 cm I5PPE QSO'd on 30 Oct
at 0650 F6KSX (O/O) for initial #5. On 432 IK5WJD worked on 31
Oct at 0347 DL4MEA (549/539) for initial #65, 0357 K1FO
(549/449), 0421 OZ4MM (539/439), 0503 DF3RU (O/O), 0517 OH2PO
(O/O), 0616 N9AB (O/O) #66 and 0710 N2IQU (O/O). We will be QRV
again for the 2nd leg.
JA6AHB
Toshio reports the following – I worked on 70 cm on 25
Sept OE3JPC for initial #26, on 2 Oct JA4BLC, DF3RU and DL4MEA
#27, on 3 Oct DJ6MB #28, IK5QLO #29, DL9NDD, UT3LL #30, DL4MEA,
7M2PDT #31, I5TDJ #32, W7QX and AL7OB #33 and on 29 Oct DL1YMK.
In the contest on 2 Oct I also QSO'd ON5OF #34, ON1ABH #35,
DL9NDD, DL9KR, OH2PO #36, OZ4MM, VE1ALQ #37 (sked), N9AB #38,
K1FO, K0RZ #39, VK4AFL, JL1ZCG #40, JH4JLV, JA5NNS, 7M2PDT,
G3SEK, HA1YA #41, EA3DXU #42 (sked), DK3WG #43, DL4MEA, F5FEN
#44, DF3RU, OE5EYM #45, G3LTF #46 (sked), OE5JFL #47, DJ6MB,
K5GW, K5WX #48, W7CI #49, AL7OB and DL6WU #50. I am building up a
parallel 3CX800A7 K1FO type PA based on my original RIW chassis.
I will not take skeds in the Nov part of the contest, but will be
available again for sked in the Dec SW.
K0RZ
Bill brings us up-to-date on his 70 cm activity. On 28
March he QSO'd K4QI, OZ6OL for initial #264, on 7 Aug DL9KR,
DL9NDD, OH2DG and W7GBI, on 8 Aug DF3RU, DF4UE #265, G3SEK, K2UYH
and OZ6OL, on 30 Oct DF3RU, DL1YMK, DL6WU, DL9KR, DL9NDD, F5FLN,
G3SEK, HA1YA, IK2EAD, IK5QLO, JA5NNS, JA6AHB, JH4JLV, JL1ZCG,
K1FO, K5WXN, N2IQU, N9AB, OH2DG, OH2PO, ON4KNG, SM3AKW, UA6LGH,
UT5EC, VE1ZJ, W6DF, W7CNK, W7SZ, W8MQW, YO2IS, and on 31 Oct
7M2PDT, DJ3FI, DK3WG, DL4MEA, EA3DXU, F5FEN, G3HUL, G3LTF, G4ASR,
GM0ONN, K2UYH, K5GW, K8ISK, N4GJV, OE3JPC, OE5EYM, OE5JFL, OZ6OL,
VK4AFL and W7CI. Initials in Oct were DL1YMK #266, JA5NNS #267,
W7SZ #268, JA6AHB #269, G4ASR #270, DJ3FI #271, GM0ONN #272 and
country 45, K8ISK #273 and VK4AFL #274. Bill found condx good on
30 and 31 Oct. States Bill still needs are HI, ID, IN, KY, ND,
NV, TN and VT. His 1st contest weekend results were 50 x 26.
K3HZO
Harry reports – I worked on 1296 28 QSOs with 18
multipliers; 5 were initals: EA3UM, DJ5MN, WA9OUU, S59DCD and
WA6KBL. Do you count W2UHI as an 8 or a 2 for multiplier
purposes? [Definitely an 8]. I have finished bench testing my
video tracking system and have built a filter for the camera
lens using welding glass for Sun noise measurements. My rotator
for azimuth has a random error in it when in the west, so no
truth tables work all the time.
K4AR
Bert is now fully QRV on 432 EME -- I put the preamp on the
mast over the pre contest weekend, and all seems to be working
fine. I will be active during the Contest looking for random QSOs
and calling CQ. I do not wish to make schedules for the Oct
session, but will accept skeds for the Nov part. My e-mail
address is at:
Bert, K4AR
I am running 1.5 kW, 8 x 9 wl horiz yagis, ATF10736 LNA and 0.5 dB line loss from EM76 in TN.
K4QI
Russ' contest report -- During the 1st contest weekend, I
worked on 30 Oct on 432, N2IQU
off of my tropo array! On 1296 on
30 Oct QSO'd were F1ANH/P, DD1XF, WD5AGO, VE6TA, W3XS, JA8IAD,
JH5LUZ, JA6CZD, N2IQU and K5JL, and on 31 Oct F5PAU, HB9BBD,
DH9FAG, K9BCT, OZ6OL, DF4PV, OZ4MM, VE1ZJ, HA5SHF, HB9SV, OH2DG,
F6CGJ, S59DCD, OH2AXH, DJ5MN, OE5JFL, OK1DFC, K3HZO, OE5EYM,
CT1DMK, W2UHI, WA6KBL, VE1ALQ, EA3UM, WA8WZG, SM2CEW, HB9BHU,
K2UYH, W7SZ, NL7F, W7CS, WA9OUU, W5LUA, W6HD, K9ZZH, VK5MC and
W0KJY. The only station heard calling and not identified was
around 1015 on the 31st. Just too weak in the librations, I could
only get a character now and then. I will be on 1296 next month
also.
K7LNP
Pat (x-KA9LNP) in DN30, West Jordan, Utah sends an update
on his 432 EME progress – I now have all of the antennas for my
array (4 x M2 9 wl) yagis. The H-Frame is just about done, and
the hole for the tower base has been dug. I am putting up a new
tower for all the other bands in the spring and will have the
concrete poured for the EME tower at the same time. I am planning
on getting the antennas assembled and phasing lines made during
the winter. Tom, WA8WZG set me up with cable and connectors for
this project at Dayton this year. If all goes well, I am hoping
to be ready for skeds in May. I am also putting together a WEB
site and will be posting plenty of construction pictures of this
project as it progresses.
OH2DG
Eino writes – During the 2nd Oct SW I used my F1EHN/VE1ALQ
automated tracking system for the 1st time with my 8 m dish.
After some initial problems, it functioned very well and
calibration was good enough for operation on 13 cm. I did have
one mishap when a MAX 232 IC burn out and the dish hit its
mechanical end stop, but nothing was damaged. WX during the
contest was excellent all weekend. I had one sked on 13 cm, but
heard nil. I did work OE9ERC on random (559/549). I QSO'd on 70
cm JA5NNS (559/559), DL9NDD (559/449), DF3RU (559/549), G3SEK
(559/449), OZ4MM (559/559), DL4MEA (559/529) for an initial (#),
K1FO (559/549), N9AB (449/O), N2IQU (559/559), K0RZ (559/559),
SM2CEW (549/539), W8MQW (449/559) #, DK3BU (559/559), ON4KNG
(449/449) #, DL6WU (449/O), OH2PO (579/559), F5FLN (559/519),
N4GJV (559/549), JL1ZCG (569/559) and SM3AKW (559/549), and on 23
cm JH5LUZ (559/559), G3LTF (559/559), S59DCD (559/449), OE9ERC
(579/559), HB9SV (579/569), F5PAU (559/449), JA6CZD (549/549),
OH2AXH (569/569), OZ6OL (559/549), VE1ALQ (569/549) #, HB9BBD
(579/569), K4QI (559/549), K5JL (569/559), OE5JFL (569/549),
N2IQU (569/539), W2UHI (559/439), OK1DFC (339/O), WA6KBLl
(559/579) #, EA3UM (559/549) and K2UYH (559/559). My contest
total was 41x30 on all bands.
OK1CA
Franta sends his report on activity during the 1st part of
the ARRL EME Contest -- I was QRV on 2.3 GHz and worked on 29 Oct
at 2245 OK1KIR (O/O) for initial #3, and on 30 Oct at 0600 had a
partial with W5LUA because I had trouble with my PA. I also heard
ZS6AXT earlier. My rig on 13 cm is TX/RX on 2304 and RX only on
2320 and 2424 MHz. I have a preamp with ATF36077 + FXH35LG + DEM
TRX. Sun noise is 17.2 dB (SF184) and Moon noise is about 0.5 dB.
I plan to be QRV on 2.3 GHz again in Nov.
ON5FF
Dirk worked 19x12 on 432 in the contest. He was using a
new PA with GI 7 and GS 35 tubes. It worked OK for 1st 4 hrs at
1.2 kW out, but then went dead. Efficiency was only 40% (3300 W
in and 1200 out). It also blows the fuses (25 A) of the shack.
Dirk added a 2nd protective relay before his preamp. His Sun
noise is now 13.5 dB (coax feed + steel wire antennas). He notes
that Karl, ON1ABH worked JA6AHB and wants his e-mail address. [It
is not clear if this was from a different station than Dirk's.]
OZ4MM
Stig was visited by Murphy this year in the 1st part of
the EME contest -- I found condx very good on 432 in the 1st 3
hours of operating. Suddenly my reception failed due to a
combination of a bad contact in the transfer coax relay and the
preamp. The NF went up and down and I am sure I missed several
stations. When daylight returned, I investigated the system at
the dish and found the bug. I was not able to retune the preamp
for optimum NF, and instead just tuned for best gain. I had to
live with the degraded NF for the rest of the weekend on 432. On
Sunday when I switched to 1296, I had trouble with my driver for
the TH308 PA. I had reduced output power and never got it fixed
during the weekend. Also my IF transceiver (TS830) started acting
up. My results for the 1st weekend were 62x21 on 432 and 21x14 on
1296. This is lower than last year, so I will do my best to solve
my problems before last leg. Initials on 432 were UA3PTW, JR1RCH,
PA3DZL, K8ISK, and KB0VUK. On 1296 I added
F1ANH/P and HB9BCD. In
general I found good condx during the night on Saturday. When it
turned light, I experienced a 90 deg pol shift in around 2 hours
(from 0700 to 0900). I had many CQs with no reply on both 432 and
1296 (mostly on 1296 - possibly due to my reduced power). The WX
was OK until Sunday morning. High winds then came, so I decided
to park the dish and take 2 hours of sleep before leaving on a
holiday, where I had an eyeball with ex-70 cm EMEers OZ1HNE and
OZ1IPU.
OZ6OL
Hans can switch between 70 and 23 cm in about 1 second He
found this very useful in the contest to gather more than 52 QSOs
on both bands. During the contest he worked on 432 OH2PO, JA5NNS,
G3SEK, DK3WG, N2IQU, K1FO, DL9KR, SM2CEW, JL1ZCG for initial #52,
OZ4MM, DL4MEA, DL9NDD, OE5JFL #53, DF3RU, HA1YA, G3LTF, NC1I,
N9AB, #54, W7CNK, UA6LGH #55, OE5EYM, K0RZ and F5FEN #56, and on
1296 F5PAU, HB9BBD, ON5RR, SM3AKW, EA3UM, G3LTF, S59DCD, DJ5Mnfor
initial #71, K5JL, K2UYH, K3HZO, N2IQU, OH2AXH, DL0SHF #72,
JH5LUZ, OE5JFL, JA6CZD, OH2DG, HB9SV, VE1ALQ, DH9FAG, K4QIF,
DF4PV, OK1KDCF, F6CGJ, VE6TA, OE5EYM, SM2CEW and W2UHI.
Earlier
he QSO'd on 70 cm on 31 Aug VK4AFL #48, on 1
Sept VK4AFL, on 4 Sept K2UYH, on 5 Sept JA4BLC #49 and JA6AHB, on 28 Sept VK4AFL,
on 1 Oct VK4AFL, on 2 Oct DF3RU, G3LTF #50, K1FO and DL4MEA, on 3
Oct DL9NDD and W7QX, on 23 Oct K1FO and W7CNK, and on 24 Oct
N4IQU, DL1YMK #51, JA5OVU and SM3AKW, and on 1296 on 4 Sept
N2IQU, on 5 Sept ON5RR and GW3XYW, on 11 Sept DL/LZ1DP and DD1XF,
on 12 Sept K5JL, on 24 Sept DF4PV, on 27 Sept K3HZO, on 3 Oct
HB9SV, K5JL and HB9BBD, on 10 Oct W2UHI and on 25 Oct W2UHI and
DF4PV.
PA0AVS
Anton is QRV again after being off the Moon for many
years -- I have run tests on the Moon and things seem to be
working fine. I'm still using
the large parabolic horn antenna
and an RS1032 final on 432. I have plans to become QRV on 23 cm
as well. We received a couple of large YK 1152 klystrons to
experiment with on both 70 and 23 cm. Right now we are working on
the power supply and the huge cooling system. These tubes need 14
kV at 1 amp plus. I will send you some pictures. My new address
is :
Anton Vroom, PA0AVS,
Drift 36, 3791 MV
Driebergen-Rijsenburg,
The Netherlands).
My tel is +31 343520132, +31 651122894 mobile
and my e-mail address is:
Anton
or
PA0AVS
PA3DZL
Jack was QRV on 70 cm during the Oct contest weekend with
an improved station. He had a 1 kW PA with 2 x 21 el 6.6 lambda
yagis and a 0.3 dB NF LNA. He worked OH2PO, K1FO, DL9KR N2IQU,
K5GW for initial #119, OZ4MM, OE5EYM #120 and DF3RU.
Heard were DL9NDD, PA3CSG, DL4MEA and N9AB.
RA1AW
Peter confirms initial contest QSOs on 70 cm with DL1YMK,
UA3PTW, N2IQU, OH2PO, K5GW, AL7OB, G3SEK, F5FEN, ON4KNG and
JL1ZCG to bring him to initial #54.
S59UUU
Marko reports on his 10 GHz activity during the EME
contest -- I made 3 QSOs on 3 cm. It was hopeless to get
everything ready for Saturday, especially since the Moon set for
me before 1000. So I spent Saturday checking and tuning up the
hardware. The WX was almost perfect, only some light wind. But
that is a problem, because I still haven't constructed an azimuth
drive. I have only a lever on the dish, no reduction gear, so I
must hold the full wind force with one hand, since the other is
needed for the key. Even with a mild wind, operating this way can
be quite stressful, HI! I started operation on Sunday at 0700,
but found out that at the particular azimuth/elevation, the
counterweight hits the tower. It was a question of only a few mm,
but the tower is of rigid construction and won't bend, so I had
to wait till 0730. Later I worked IW4BTJ (M/O), WA7CJO (559/559)
and W5LUA (O/O). I wanted to send Jim (599), but got mixed up.
WA7CJO's signal was incredibly strong and clean - probably his
new dish. I finished around 1030 with the Moon behind trees.
VE1ALQ
Darrall notes -- I had to quit early during the Oct
contest weekend because of very high winds. My totals for this
half of the contest are as follows: 42x33 on 23 cm with 2
initials, 2x2 on 6 cm and 2x2 on 70 cm (sked requests by other
party) for 1 initial. I missed several on 23 cm because of the
winds. I had a great time and hope the snow stays away for the
last half.
/FONT>
UA3PTW
in KO93 has now worked 15 initials on 70 cm. During the
contest he made 9 QSOs with OH2PO, DK3WG, K5GW, OZ4MM, DL9NDD,
OE5JFL, NC1I, N9AB, OE5EYM and F5FEN.
He is currently running 250 W and hopes to have 500 W + soon.
VE6TA
Grant writes – I have been very busy with work lately and
it seems that the ARRL Contest always conflicts with my work
schedule. Last year I missed the whole contest due to work
constraints and this year is not much better. I managed to get
off work for the Asian window on the 1st pass and worked 6
stations on 23 cm, but was disappointed to not work any JA's. I
heard JH5LUZ, but never hooked up with him. Murphy struck on the
2nd pass as my water cooling system failed, but I was getting
tired anyway, so I closed up shop after a total of 7 hours of
operating. I am now using a new preamp from Lucky (W7CNK) and it
is absolutely marvelous. I can now hear stations much smaller
than my own and consistently hear my own echoes. I managed to do
a little more tweaking on the 2 tube amp and now have it purring
along with about 300 W out, so things seem to go a lot easier now
during the contest periods. Even F5PAU answers me now, HI. I
worked the following stations during the Oct segment on 23 cm:
KD4LT, VE1ALQ, K4QI, WD5AGO, W5LUA, K5JL,
HB9BBD, OH2AXH, HB9SV,
DF4PV, W2UHI, F6CGJ, F5PAU, S59DCD, SM2CEW, OE5JFL, and OZ6OL.
Heard but not worked were K3HZO, WA6KBL, W1ZX, DL0SHF (SSB),
DJ5MN, JH5LUZ and PA3CSG. I also noticed that there seems to be
an aurorally or tropo null at elevations between 5 and 15 degs on
1296. Stations seemed very loud up to 5 degs (with ground noise)
and then go into the tank for about the next hour. I wonder if
others experience similar results? I should be on 432 for at
least one pass in Nov and am trying to get my GS23b amp going for
this weekend.
VK2ALU
Lyle sends information on his EME plans from down under –
I want to inform the 10 GHz EME guys that I am ready to resume
EME tests after quite a long break in which an improvement was
made to my antenna system. My Moon windows in an easterly
direction (towards North America) is restricted by blockage from
buildings and trees to operation when antenna elevation angle is
greater than between 15 and 30 deg. - (varying in this range with
azimuth angle), and in a westerly direction (towards Eur) to
approx 5 degs minimum - but only over the very limited range of
Moon declination of 3 degs south to 10 degs south - (due to tree
blockage to the west of my property outside the corresponding
range of my antenna azimuth angle). In my last letter my mention
of G3PHO was meant to indicate that I had used the type of W2IMU
10 GHz feed horn, which had been constructed by G3PHO (generally
called the "G3PHO feed horn") as a basis for my feed horn. The
G3PHO feed horn became the "mode generation" section of my dual
mode feed horn, but the construction of my feed horn was "all of
my own doing".
VK3UM
Doug has had a stroke. He collapsed at work Monday 1 Nov
and was taken to the hospital. He suffered a stroke and his blood
pressure was very high when he came in to the hospital. It was
very close, however, he has since recovered remarkably well, and
is making good progress. He still has problems with his left
side, but his speech is almost 100%, and he is mentally 100%. The
stroke did not affect his mental abilities. He will hopefully
recover fully but rehabilitation will take some time. The week it
happened was his last week at work, he was due to retire at the
end of the week. It has been very hectic for him lately. Bev, his
wife, said that she had seen signs for some weeks, so she was not
really surprised when they called her from the hospital. [TNX
SM2CEW for this report. Peter is in constant contact with Doug
and Bev.]
VK5MC
Chris notes that it has been some time since his last
report -- I have been off EME as the Australian licensing system
changed, 2 and a half years Ago, and I have been trying to get my
high power permit back since. I am only allowed 100 W output,
which makes EME on 432 and below a little difficult. However I
have been on 1296 and running 100 W output when time has been
available. Anybody requiring a sked can now contact me on e-mail at:
Chris, VK5MC
I was on for the contest weekend and found
that I was a little rusty on the key, but did manage to work on
23 cm
HB9BBD, OH2AXH, OE5JFL, K5JL, K4QI,
W6HD and JH5LUZ. I will
be on for the next weekend as much as I can. The main project at
the moment is getting 2 GHz up and running. I will be coming up
on 2424 transmit and should be able to listen on 2304 and 2320
early in the New Year. Hopefully I am up to date with my QSLs.
Anyone who still needs a card from me please let me know.
W7SZ
Larry was active on both 70 and 23 cm during the 1st part
of the contest. He worked on 1296 8x8 and on 432 14x9 with 11
initials combined. On 70 cm he QSO'd KA0RYT
and heard K8ISK and
W7CNK quite loud, but rain static halted a contact. Larry is
working on restoring an OZ9CR amp.
W2UHI
Frank worked 31 stations during the 1st part of the
contest. He tried getting WA9OUU attention, but received no
answer. Frank did work K9BCT and W1ZX
with a great signal amongst
many others. There were no JAs that Frank could hear.
W7QX
Jerry is now fully QRV on 1296. He worked
K5JL, VE1ALQ and
KD4LT on 23 cm during the contest to bring him to initial #3.
Jerry is interested in more skeds on 23 cm.
WA6KBL
Jeffrey is presently only QRV on 23 cm only at this time
and writes -- I was successful in getting the station operational
just in time for the EME contest weekend. I worked the following
stations: HB9BBD, VE1ALQ, F5PAU, S59DCD, K5JL, K4QI, F6CGJ,
N2IQU, OH2AXH, EA3UM, SM2CEW, K3HZO, OH2DG, OE5EYM and OK1DFC.
These is a large tree obstructing my view of the Moon for at
least 12 deg el, so I do hope that EU stations will stay on long
enough to work me during the 2nd weekend even though they have
already been on all night. My times for 12 deg are 0600 on 27 Nov
and 0700 on 28 Nov. Please look for me after these times. I have
to solve a problem with my IPA (driver) amplifier before the
contest weekend because I do not have any more 7289s that are
capable of putting out 100W, which is what I need to drive my
final PA.
/FONT>
WD5AGO
Tommy worked 7 stations on 23 cm in Oct. Stations QSO'd
were HB9SV, OE9ERC, K5JL, W2UHI, N2IQU and
OH2AXH. At least 6
other stations were CWNR'd. At present Tommy is using a 3 m dish
and 250 W at the feed. He can hear echoes 33 % of the time. Tommy
says he now knows how QRP stations feel in a contest when he
QRZ'd them in the past. He will be moving to 5.7 GHz in Nov for
just the contest weekend. Tommy is now running a 10' dish with
only 20-30 W. His Moon window is be limited in the east (0700 to
0800) each night. He May also try to make some contacts on 70 cm
before long.
ZS6AXT
Ivo's Oct report follows – It is great loss that Hoppy is
not with us anymore! I will certainly never forget him. I
concentrated in the 1st contest weekend exclusively on 13 and 6
cm with very disappointing results. On Saturday morning I only
worked on 13 cm OK1KIR, OE9ERC and W5LUA
- all with good signals.
Nothing else was heard. On Sunday morning I had no luck in my 6
cm skeds, probably due to pol problems. Toward the end of my Moon
pass I heard well OE9PMJ (529), but CWNR. This was with a very
low elevation, thus high ground noise. In the clear Peter should
be at least (549). I hope that there will be more activity on
these 2 bands in the next leg. I will be on 13 cm in the 1st pass
and on 6 cm in the 2nd. In the meantime I will change to
horizontal polarization on 5760. Regarding 6 cm pol, I would like
to suggest that we all change to circular polarization for this
band to eliminate the problems with spatial pol offset. To me it
is strange that on the 13 cm band I can use a 200 Hz filter for
reception, while at 6 cm signals are so wide that a narrow band
filter is not useful. I have a suspicion that this effect may be
mostly caused by the use of linear pol. Circular pol may limit
the frequency spreading. Never mind that it would help otherwise.
Certainly this could be done without great expense, and the
change will pay off for everybody! I VOTE FOR CIRCULAR ON 6 CM!
K2UYH
I found conditions during the contest very good and
enjoyed myself, but was plagued by limited operating time due to
family social engagements during the weekend, which included a
wedding. WX was excellent on Saturday morning. On the basis of a
beautifully visual Moon, I decide to start operation on 23 cm. I
QSO'd at 0625 HB9BBD (579/559), 0636 F5PAU (569/559), 0644 S59DCD
(559/559), 0652 DJ5MN (559/O), 0700 VE1ALQ (559/559), 0712 ON5RR
(559/559), 0720 K5JL (579/579), 0736 K3HZO (449/529), 0747 OK1DFC
(559/559), 0758 DF4PV (559/559), 0813 SM3AKW (559/559), 0828 W1ZX
(559/559), 0828 W1ZX (559/559), 0840 OZ6OL (549/559), 0849 N2IQU
(579/559), 0908 PA3CSG (569/559), 0919 DD1XF (569/559), 0935
G3LTF (559/559) and 0956 OH2AXH (569/559). When activity seemed
to slow on 1296, I switched to 432 and worked at 1032 G3LTF
(559/559), 1038 OH2PO (559/559), 1043 partial K5WXN (559/-)
lost,
1052 G3SEK (549/339), 1059 IK2EAD (549/559) and 1125 EA3DXU
(O/M). The 2nd night I was joined by my neighbor KC2TA. As the WX
had deteriorated we began operation on 70 cm at 0723
K1FO
(569/569), 0734 N2IQU (579/579), 0737 N9AB (569/559), 0744 F5FLN
(559/549), 0749 DF3RU (569/569), 0757 HA1YA (559/559), 0805 UT5EC
(559/449), 0811 DL4GA (559/559), 0814 DL9NDD (569/579), 0818
DL9KR (579/589), 0840 N4GJV (559/559), 0845 OE5EYM (559/559),
0854 DL4MEA (559/559), 0905 F5FEN (569/559), 0915 K0RZ (559/559),
0924 DL6WU (559/449) and 0935 DJ3FI (559/O) for an initial.
We
then switched to 23 cm and added at 1025
K4QI (559/559), 1039
OE5EYM (559/559), 1047 OH2DG (559/559), 1101 W7SZ (549/439), 1112
NL7F (559/439), 1122 F6CGJ (559/559), 1134 W2UHI (559/569) and
1141 partial F1ANH/p (559/O) – we were sure we had a QSO, but
Jean says he never received our report. Despite the limited
operating time 22x14 on 70 cm and 25x21 on 23 cm was achieved.
Next time I should be on for the VK/JA window.
NETNEWS
G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY
G4RGK was unable to be active in during the Oct contest weekend
because of a conflicting work schedule.
KB0VUK is a new station on 432 EME in the same Grid as Ron,
KA0RYT. He has worked 4 stations thus far including OZ4MM and
K1FO.
K6IBY was QRV on 70 cm during the contest – no word on results
as yet.
K5WXN worked DL1YMK for an initial and K1FO and heard W7SZ and
KA0RYT.
SM2CEW worked
on 432 a new station, N3FA. This was N3FA's 1st EME
QSO.
N3FA has 4 yagis and 600 W. He is ex WB3FAA.
GM0ONN was QRV on 23 cm during the Oct contest weekend and will
be active on 70 cm during the Nov weekend.
KB8RQ is tearing down his antennas and getting ready to move to
a new QTH. He hopes to re-build and be into his new home by next
summer.
VO1AV (GN28) has not made too much progress on his 70 cm EME
station. He has been working very long hours. It does not look
like he will be on EME this year, but hopes to make it on by mid
year 2000.
WA9FWD has a problem with his 13cm driver amp and thus may not
be on 13 cm for skeds.
WA4NJP's work has subsided a bit. As his equipment is not
working correctly, he hopes to be get all fixed in time to be
QRV for the contest in Nov. His new amp is ready to go on 70 cm.
K9BCT's survived the recent hurricane and was QRV on 23 cm in
the contest. He has a YL-1050 cavity and is working toward
getting it running.
W4AD is still plugging away at getting on 23 cm. His dish is
mounted and he hopes to be operational by the Nov contest
weekend.
NU7Z is now off 13 cm and moving to 5.7 GHz.
CT1DMK lost electrical power for one day during the 1st leg of
the contest. He plans to be on 70 cm during the 2nd contest
weekend and will take skeds before during and after. His 5.7 GHz
feed is still on his dish. He will take it down 1 day before the
Nov contest, and will be back on after the contest.
W8TN reports slow progress on his new EME system.
WA8WZG is busy with school, but he has put a new feed in the
dish and gained 1.9 dB of Sun noise.
K2DH's was down 3 dB in power on 23 cm and only worked 4
stations during the Oct leg. Dave's shack is now torn apart, but
he hopes to be back on for 2nd part of the contest.
N2HLT is looking for skeds on 70 cm.
WA1JOF is working on his 23 cm gear. He has changed the phasing
lines and is now ready for skeds.
W4RDI was not active during Oct as his rig is not working.
W1ZX had a problem with his 4 tube amp. He made 3 contacts and
then a tube blew up in his PA.
W5ZN was not operational in the contest.
PA3CSG worked W7SZ for new one on 70 cm.
VE4MA reports good signals on 5.7 GHz and heard VE1ALQ, W5LUA
and OE9PMJ. OE9PMJ was CWNR. Barry will be on 13 and 23 cm the
next weekend.
DL1DWI is a new station on 432 with 4 yagis and 100 W. He will
be QRV in Nov with 6 dB more power. His address is Gerhard
Meyer, Holbeinstrasse 40, 01307 Dresden, Germany; tel is 35 243
52571).
DF3RU worked 73x31 on 70 cm in the contest.
SM4IVE is not yet QRV on 70, but considering coming on in Nov
with 4 yagis.
K0RZ worked on 70 cm 50x26 with 8 initials in the first leg.
WB0GGM QSO'd on 70 cm 8x7 with 3 initials during Oct.
N4GJV was active during the Oct contest weekend for the 1st time
in many months.
KL7HFQ was on the 1st night of the contest and reports signals
were strong. He was playing around with a DSP system. The 2nd
night signals were not as good.
DL9NDD worked 79x30 in the 1st weekend of the contest.
DK0MM a club station will be QRV with 500 W and 4 x 10 lambda
yagis from JN59 during Nov.
UA3TCF was only on for a short time during Nov and didn't work
anything new.
UT5EC added initials on 70 cm during the 1st leg with W7CNK,
DL4MEA, G4ALH and DJ3FI to bring him to initial #108.
F5FEN is the same station as F1FEN. He will be on 70 cm and 2 m
during the 2nd leg.
K5WXN worked F5FLN and F5FEN with good signals during Oct.
FOR SALE
WD5AGO has 3 Andrews 1 5/8" cables some with 7/16 connectors in
lengths from 80 to 100' for $US1.50/ft. He
also has a 23 cm 2
stage LNAs (0.3 NF at 30 dB) for $US125.
N7AM is
looking for Transco coax 28 V relays.
Jack's tel is 360-
373-8135. [Contact W1ZX for these relays.]
NU7Z has
for sale 2 14 GHz TWTAs that will work on 10 GHz. They
are 16 W. The PSU's need repair. He wants $US50 for each.
CT1DMK is making
aluminum blocks for coaxial to waveguide
transitions. He needs to make at least 10, but would like to
make more to keep the price down. Luis plans to sell the extra
transitions for between $US 30-40 excluding connector. The
results will be as good as top quality transitions. Contact Luis
for more details.
N4GJV is
looking for the updated version of the VK3UM EME
tracker.
TECHNICAL
Here is a circuit by JH4JLV for a low noise 70 cm
preamp which should work will with the FHX35G. (This circuit
appeared in the JA EME Column.)
EME2000 CONFERENCE BRAZIL
Don, PYZBU is concerned that he has
received only one technical article (from WA7CJO) for the
conference proceedings to be published in CD-ROM. He notes that
very few hotel reservations have been received thus far as well.
He urges all to please make a special effort to send your
promised contribution, technical or otherwise by email:
Don, PY2ZU
or post so
that we can start preparing your material for publishing. The postal address:
Av. Juscelino K. de Oliveira,
11400 - CIC - 81450-900 -
Curitiba/Pr, Brazil.
FINAL
Getting this NL out on time is usually an effort. This
month is especially so. The contest issues are always a bit
longer. I had to go to CA at the last minute over the NL weekend.
I am writing this on my notebook computer as I wait for a flight
home on Sunday night!
ZS6AXT is pushing for a formal recognition of circular pol as
the standard for 6 cm EME. The place this can happen is at the
EME2000 Conference. Ivo says he has received positive responses
to his proposal from quite a few 6 cm ops, and that so far he
knows of only one W who will be opposing it.
W0KJY needs the latest EME standings from stations to be sent
to ARRL for EME Annals. John must have the standings in and
compiled by the end of year. [Unfortunately he never seems to
send me up-dated copies for listing in the NL.]
?Please keep the reports and technical info coming. I shall be
looking for more QSOs during the Nov contest finish.
73, Al - K2UYH
EME schedules
27 NOV
Time 432.040 1296.050
0500z N3FA -PA3CSG
0530z PA3CSG-UA3PTW
0600z PA3CSG-RV4AQ
0630z K4AR -PA3CSG
0830z K3HZO -LU6DW
28 NOV
Time 432.045 1296.050 1296.060
0530z K3HZO -DD1XF
0600z N4GJV -RW1AW K3HZO -IK3GHY
0630z N4GJV -K4AR K3HZO -I0UGB
0700z N4GJV -N3FA K3HZO -I6PNN W1ZX -PA3CSG
0730z K3HZO -G4DZU K9ZZH -PA3CSG
0800z WA9OUU-PA3CSG
0830z W7QX -PA3CSG
0900z WA6KBL-PA3CSG
1300z W1ZX -K3HZO
1330z K9ZZH -K3HZO
1430z W7QX -K3HZO
This information was obtained from: Scott, KD4LT
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Rein, W6/PA0ZN
19981226