How the SLAMS tried to combine SPRINT Microwave with an expedition to Knob Lick in EM47tp

It was Saturday October 5 (2024), the day of both, MAD Day (stands for Microwave Activity Day) and SPRINT Microwave contest. The SLAMS group from Saint Louis decided to look for a new contest location in different than our own grid (EM48) and closer to other VHF+ stations. We have done similar explorer trip to that area 3 years ago (see our posting here) but did not find anything remarkably good at that time. Friends from the Saint Louis QRP Society (SLQS) told us about a hill they use for POTA activations and we decided to try that.

Herbert AF4JF, Harry WA0CNS, Ron KO0Z and Jim KK0U went to Knob Lick in EM47tp in the morning. We intended to try 1296MHz and 10GHz with our friends in EM64, EM65 and EM13. That's Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. The location is truly on the hill, one of the tallest in Missouri and it really looks good. Jim KK0U told us that this is an excellent place for HF activity, such as SOTA/POTA. First impression upon arrival was magnificient!

Nice find on the hilltop!

There is Texas somewhere in that direction

Fire tower on premises

There is a platform in the middle of the stairway

Jim KK0U climbed the stairs and shot this video from the accessible platform

As you can see in the video, there is 360 degrees open view above the tree level from that platform. The fence has holes big enough not to bother 10GHz signals, but probably not too good for lower bands, such as 23cm or even VHF, so we did not even try to carry the equipment (and batteries) up that high and set up on the ground instead.

Jim KK0U listening on 10GHz

Team setting up on the ground

On the other side were several guys. Next two pictures are from Blevins Gap in EM64rp

Left to right:
Jay/K4NKT (3cm)
Bob/KV4PC (23cm, 33cm)
Bob/KV4PC (3cm)
Stephen/KY4G (23cm)

Chris NV4B

We were communicating with the other groups using phones, SLACK and GroupMe chats, SMS messages ... one guy spoke for the group, so we do not even have all their names or callsigns. I have tried to work NV4B, WG8S, KV4PC, KY4G, W4RXR, K4NKT and AA5C. There were probably more and I apologize for not capturing all the callsigns.

To make this long story short - we did not make any QSOs. Not a single one. This was a microwave contest and distances were simply too long for the meager propagation that day. However, we are HAPPY with this location! We definitely will come back, probably for one of the VHF contests, with full set of bands 50MHz to 122GHz. Also, we will probably employ Q65 for microwave digi modes from there.

SPRINT 432 again

VHF+ SPRINT contests return twice every year in 5 sections - 50, 144. 222. 432 and microwave. We of the local SLAMS group around Saint Louis only participated from our homes in the 144 and 222MHz sections this year, mostly due to bad weather (you do not want to be on the hilltop during severe thunderstorm). However, the weather last night was perfect for VHF+ activity, so we went outdoors again.

When I said "we", I meant a combination of SLAMS and SLQS (Saint Louis QRP Society) members. Also, the participating stations were members of either one or both of these groups. There was no other band activity in our area - a problem we see in every contest now.

Tony KT0AA and Herbert AF4JF went to Winfield (North of St. Charles, Missouri) to the EM48-EM49 grid line. There is a nice hill with a huge railroad communications tower where we usually go for this kind of activity. Worked couple of stations, Including Harry WA0CNS and Tom W0MFQ. Tom was testing his 144MHz Yagi antenna, which was the reason why we took the 2m KLM beam on AF4JF's car to 70cm contest. Everything worked exceptionally fine and we made QSOs on both band, 144 and 432MHz, even with antennas for opposite polarization.

Several pictures to document the rover setups:

WA0CNS in EM48

AF4JF in EM49

SPRINT Microwave Contest - May 6, 2023

Harry WA0CNS and Herbert AF4JF went to Hannibal, MO in EM49hq to participate on the SPRINT Microwave contest today. They met with a local HAM and SLAMS member Kevin AD7OI at Lovers Leap on the cliff above the Mississippi river in Hannibal. Weather was not so good at the begin, but turned to be better towards the end of the contest.

View in NW direction
(approximately towards Cedar Rapids)

View to North
(approximately towards Chicago)

View to NE
(approximately towards Fort Wayne, IN)

This location repeatedly proved itself to be good for 10GHz, especially with Rain Scatter or Trop propagation enhancement. Listen to the Saint Louis SLAMS beacon on 10GHz:

WB9PNU/B over Rain Scatter aiming 90 deg. away from the beacon

We have brought 902-1296-2304MHz equipment and especially 10GHz. Some pictures with the 10GHz stations:

Kevin AD7OI
(picture by WA0CNS)

Herbert AF4JF with Darcey
(picture by WA0CNS)

Harry WA0CNS

Weather forced us to hide in our cars for a while today. We like thunderstorms during our outdoor activities, but not necessarily right above us. Following picture shows Herbert's rack with lower band transverters inside the car in the middle of moving the equipment to safety:

Herbert AF4JF packing everything 
to plastic boxes or to the back of his car

Despite the weather challenges, we have had a good time and lots of fun trying to work (and working) all the stations available. We certainly will return to this location in the future!

SPRINT Contests 222 and 432 MHz - Spring 2023

Herbert AF4JF, Harry WA0CNS and Ron KO0Z participated in the CSVHF SPRINT Contests for Spring 2023. There was a posting describing the 144 MHz SPRINT on April 10. The 222 MHz SPRINT took place on April 18 and the 432 MHz on April 26. This posting brings pictures from the 222 and 432 MHz contests.

In general, the lack of VHF+ activity in our area affects these short contests too. Not sure why - the SPRINT contests are well known and submitting the results is easy. We need to keep convincing local hams to use their radios (even FM handhelds) to participate!

Herbert AF4JF/R set up for 222MHz in Winfield, MO EM49pa

Harry WA0CNS on 432MHz at High Ridge, EM48rl

Harry WA0CNS on 432MHz with different antenna, EM48rl

Ron KO0Z/R on 432MHz in Winfield, EM49pa

Herbert AF4JF/R on 432MHz in Winfield, EM49pa

Darcey waiting for Ron KO0Z to arrive at the Winfield location

Herbert tested his new set of rover antennas during this Spring set of SPRINT contests (more to come during the microwave section). Ron switched between his dual-band loops and hand held Yagi for 432MHz today (sorry, no picture taken). Harry changed antennas too and actually worked us with the shorter beam with folded dipole.

We will all participate in the Microwave SPRINT on Saturday May 6th. Looking forward to it!

SPRINT Contest 144MHz - Spring 2023

Herbert AF4JF and Ron KO0Z went to the usual location in Winfield, MO (EM49). Since we both live relatively close in EM48, it was easy for us to activate two grids during the short time this contest gives the participants to do so. AF4JF has started in EM49 while KO0Z started in EM48, so we both worked each other from - to all combinations you can make of the two grids.

The longest QSO (ODX) we made was between AF4JF and Pete K9PW who was in EN52, about 370km away. Note that this was 144MHz.

The SPRINT contest continues with its 222MHz section next week. You can find details here (click).

AF4JF/R at the gas station in Winfield

KO0Z/R arriving at the same gas station

SPRINT Contests this Spring

We have attended the Central States VHF Society sponsored Spring SPRINT contests 2022. Missed the 144MHz part this year, but managed to attend the 222MHz contest on April 19 and 432MHz section on April 27. There was very little to no activity in the Saint Louis area this year. Following pictures are from the 432MHz contest on April 27th:

AF4JF/R in EM49pa

WA0CNS in EM48rl

AF4JF/R in EM48qs

Missouri River in EM49pa 
(Winfield, MO)

We are looking forward for the microwave part of the SPRINT contest that takes place on Saturday May 7th!

Note that CSVHF will hold the annual conference on July 22-23 in La Crosse, WI.

SPRINT Microwave on September 29, 2012

Herbert AF4JF, Jim N5MU and Rich N0PQU met at YMCA in EM48sq for last microwave contest of the season. We didn't have big contesting plans, just intended to try with Zack W9SZ who went to EN50rl on 1296MHz/10GHz and Ron KO0Z who went to his new location in EM59cl this morning on 10GHz too.

Propagation didn't really look promising - a little Hepburn enhancement, some water vapors, but nothing really promising from our usual sources of prediction:

(I believe that this made the difference today)

The day started quite bad - Herbert has forgotten his 23cm antenna and Jim forgot to bring his antenna pole, so we have had to combine our hardware into one 23cm station. It didn't matter much, because we didn't work Zack on 23cm today. Zack copied Jim's signal S5 on 1296.100MHz but Jim didn't copy Zack this time. Oh well ...

However, after a year of trying and trying, we have both finally worked Zack W9SZ in EN50rl from YMCA in EM48sq! That is a #5 grid for Jim and #6 for Herbert from this particular location. Thanks for all your patience with us, Zack! There are no terrain obstacles between us, but the distance is over 160 miles, so it requires a little help from propagation. Following picture shows the terrain profile between both locations:

Wonder of all wonders, it has worked today! Zack didn't hear the St. Louis beacon on 10GHz, but he has heard a 2.3GHz beacon from Chicago unusually strong, so something has been happening this morning.

Following picture shows Jim working Zack on 10GHz. We have had to move Jim's station close to Herbert's, because there was no signal from Zack at all 10ft. down the parking lot!

We have tried with Ron KO0Z on 10GHz after working Zack, but didn't succeed this time. Well, we have always tried much earlier in the day before ...

One more achievement can be claimed today - Rich N0PQU tested his 10GHz transverter today. He uses a MACOM brick oscillator on 10224MHz with a mixer and IC251 radio (more info about modifying that radio here).

Signal from this simple transverter was very stable, Jim N5MU and Herbert AF4JF have both made SSB  contacts with N0PQU across the parking lot. Although there still are things to be improved, Rich has certainly made it to the qroup of 10GHz-capable stations in St. Louis area. Congrats!

73 Herbert

AF4JF

SPRINT Microwave Contest on May 5, 2012 (2)

Herbert AF4JF, Mel K0PFX and Jim KK0JIM met at YMCA in EM48sq shortly after 6:00am this morning. Temperature was around 80F and quite humid, my glasses were "foggy" through station setup.

Mel was testing another DEMI transverter for 10GHz, nicely installed on a tripod with all the usual accessories. Herbert brought his 23cm transverter and 16el. antenna along with his usual 10GHz setup.

SPRINT/SBMS Microwave Contests on May 5, 2012

SLAMS members announced to be QRV from following locations:

Jim N5MU - EM49ua
Harry WA0CNS - EM48rl
Herbert AF4JF - EM48sq
John WB9PNU - EM48tm
Ron KO0Z - EM59bc
Zack W9SZ - EN50rl
Mel K0PFX - EM48sr

73 de AF4JF

Spring Sprints 144 MHz

All day I was looking forward to working the CSVHFS sponsored Spring Sprints for 144 MHz on Monday April 9. I downloaded VHFLOG and finally got it to work with Windows Vista. I was ready to operate! At seven pm local time I called CQ and worked Dave, KB0PE at the Dow site. Later I worked N9SS near Peoria and then an hour later a station near Memphis, TN which was my longest distance Q of the night at 185 miles. About 10 minutes before the 11:00 pm I worked Zack W9SZ. In four hours of operating I made 4 Qs with a rate of one per hour...

I was disappointed in the band conditions and lack of participants, but at least Dave and I were on and I had fun. Retirement has its benefits in terms of affording time in which to operate! Next week it is 220 MHz time. I plan to be on the air with my HT and a 5 element yagi operating on 223.500. My granddaughter Maya is due to be born on the 16th, but I plan to be QRV for the 18th.

A week later is the 440 sprint and I am looking forward to that one as well!

73,

Ron, KO0Z

2012 Spring VHF/UHF and Microwave Contests

It's almost that time of the year again. See SPRINT Contest schedule for this Spring:

2.1. - 144 MHz
The 144 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Monday, April 9, 2012.

2.2. - 222 MHz
The 222 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

2.3. - 432 MHz
The 432 MHz Sprint will be from 7 PM until 11 PM local time on Wednesday, April 25, 2012.

2.4. - Microwave (902+)
The Microwave Sprint will be on Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 6 AM until 1 PM local time. This includes all Amateur frequencies above 902 MHz. Please include band data in summaries and logs. NOTE: use of Liaison Frequency is encouraged.

2.5. - 50 MHz The 50 MHz Sprint will be from 2300Z Saturday, May 12, until 0300Z Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Rules and more details here

73 Herbert
-AF4JF