| Post by G3CWI on 21st May 2012 at 10:16 |
Next Sunday is the first 10GHz cumulative of the season. Is anyone planning to be active from a SOTA summit?
73
Richard
G3CWI |
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| Post by G4OIG on 21st May 2012 at 18:36 |
In reply to G3CWI:
Sorry. the funds to buy the transverter haven't arrived yet. ;-)
73, Gerald G4OIG |
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| Post by GM8OTI on 23rd May 2012 at 20:09 |
In reply to G3CWI:
Just seen this, Richard. Not ready yet, unfortunately - but I'm working on the transverter. I'm hoping to have it going later this summer but then home brew projects don't always go as planned!
Gerald - I'm one who spends as little as possible, so the transverter is definitely being done on the cheap. I can't afford the commercial offerings!
73
John GM8OTI
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| Post by G4OIG on 28th May 2012 at 18:31 |
In reply to G3CWI:
Did you work anyone Richard? |
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| Post by G3CWI on 28th May 2012 at 18:32 |
In reply to G4OIG:
No; I had a fine lunch instead.
73
Richard
G3CWI
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| Post by G4OIG on 28th May 2012 at 19:59 |
In reply to G3CWI:
I hope you weren't paying....... :-)
73, Gerald G4OIG |
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| Post by G3CWI on 23rd June 2012 at 15:16 |
In reply to G3CWI:
This Sunday there is a 10GHz contest on. Anyone risking the WX for SOTA?
73
Richard
G3CWI
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| Post by GM8OTI on 8th April 2013 at 16:10 |
In reply to G3CWI:
Hi Richard
Had a successful sked yesterday with Alan GM0USI using SSB between the Blackpool sea front (IO83LU) and the Mull of Galloway lighthouse (IO74NP) - about 148km over an entirely sea path (but not line of sight).
It was rather hazy and I couldn't even see the Isle of Man from Blackpool, but the map and compass had me pointing the dish in the right direction - I could hear Alan in qso before our sked time.
So I think I'm ready to take it out for SOTA now.
Tests in October / November last year were with only 0.7mW (though I still managed 87km line of sight); I now think I have about 30-35mW and it makes quite a difference. My 40cm dish is portable enough to sling on the back of a rucksack!
I'm hoping to be out for the 10GHz cumulative on 26 May (assuming decent Wx!), but am also happy to try skeds with anyone. I'm down in Galloway quite often in the summer months, and Cairnharrow GM/SS-191 will make a good vantage point for 10GHz.
I see there were all sorts of good intentions for 10GHz in GM-land back in 2008, but we're still waiting ;-)
73
John GM8OTI
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| Post by G4OIG on 9th April 2013 at 08:06 |
In reply to GM8OTI:
> Cairnharrow GM/SS-191 will make a good vantage point for 10GHz.
You might consider Queensberry SS-072 sometime John. The take off looked to be good for microwave, though it will all depend on where your potential contacts are located.
> I see there were all sorts of good intentions for 10GHz in GM-land back in 2008, but we're still waiting ;-)
I rather suspect it is the old cost per QSO syndrome. If 10GHz transverters were 50GBP, then there would be more people on the band. I'm still on the look out for something inexpensive to put on the end of my 30dB dish.
73, Gerald G4OIG
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| Post by GM8OTI on 9th April 2013 at 08:54 |
In reply to G4OIG:
My 10GHz transverter certainly has cost me less than 50GBP. But then it's not exactly off-the-shelf.
It's also that I'm lucky enough to have the time to do the home brew. I certainly don't have the money for the commercial stuff either!
What I wanted to prove is that you can do narrow band 10GHz home brew without fancy test equipment, which I have done. I'd like to encourage more people to have a go - it's very rewarding!
73
John GM8OTI
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| Post by G4OIG on 9th April 2013 at 09:30 |
In reply to GM8OTI:
Well, during a visit to a friend that I used to do the microwave cumulative contests with back in the 80's, I discovered he had binned his old NB transverter as it was old technology..... arghh! He works commercially with all the new devices. Oh well, it is a matter of perspective!
I bet you are well chuffed working that path from Blackpool. I remember my first QSO on the band and that was with simple doppler module technology and that was pleasing enough. I doubt I'll ever get back onto the band again as the time, patience and the ability to manipulate small parts has evaporated. It is taking long enough to complete the 4m transverter!
Maybe catch you on LF (23cms) sometime when I'm up in GM/SS.
73, Gerald G4OIG |
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| Post by G3CWI on 13th April 2013 at 14:41 |
In reply to GM8OTI:
John
It is good news that you are now active. I spoke to Mike G4BLH today and he hopes to be out on 10G more this year. I was at the Mull of Galloway yesterday myself - but no 10G.
Previous talk of 10G from GM has turned out to be Scots blether.
73 Richard G3CWI
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| Post by GM8OTI on 13th April 2013 at 18:12 |
In reply to G3CWI:
Richard, that's great. I'm still trying to encourage the others to get organised!
I was on again yesterday, a path test from the Hartside Cafe (!) in NP above Penrith to the Mull of Galloway - completely successful, Alan GM0USI had me at initially 54, later 56 SSB (once the dish was aligned) from my 30-35 mW into a 40cm dish. Alan was using his usual 9W, but with an 80cm dish. The path - 150km - is obstructed by about 200m worth of N Lakes hills, and a 200m high lump of sea, so we were pleased with this. It certainly bodes well for some S2S SOTA work.
Catch you soon on 10G I hope.
73
John GM8OTI
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| Post by G3CWI on 14th April 2013 at 15:39 |
In reply to GM8OTI:
When you want to do some S2S tests let me know. With your power level obstructed paths will work. One or two edges should be alright maybe more. 73 Richard G3CWI |
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| Post by GM8OTI on 23rd May 2013 at 10:07 |
In reply to G3CWI:
The forecast is looking good for Sunday 26th May so I'm hoping to be out for the UKuG 10GHz contest from a SOTA summit in south west Scotland, probably Cairnharrow GM/SS-191. Time from late morning to late afternoon, depending on when contacts dry up.
I still only have my 30mW to a 40cm dish, but this setup is proven over about 150km on an obstructed path so I'm hopeful for even better DX.
I hope we can get a few SOTA 10GHz activators out!
73
John GM8OTI
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