10 GHz Snowscattter Attempt

Tuesday 27 February 2013:  It's been snowing lightly between Girard, IL (EM59) and the WB9PNU/b in EM48.  I was wondering if I could hear the beacon via snowfall scatter propagation.  Unfortunately, at my QTH in Girard my 10 GHz rig is looking into a tree and some homes.  I varied the dish elevation.  A couple of times I thought I heard the beacon faintly, but I cannot confirm that observation.  It may have been wishful thinking on my part.  I left the rig running for a half hour before listening.  Oh well it was a fun experiment and if I was more motivated to go out into the cold I could have gone to my favorite microwave spot about 8 miles from here, but such was not the case today!
73,
Ron, KO0Z

SLAMS 24 GHz Breakfast, Saturday Feb 23

Jim, N0OBG is holding Harry's (WA0CNS) 24 GHz transverter which he brought to the SLAMS breakfast at Denny's on Dorset Road 23 January.

 Downconverter used to convert 24 GHz to 432 MHz.

 Upconverter used with an LO to produce 24 GHz signal.

 John, WB9PNU is chatting with Harry WA0CNS at the 24 GHz breakfast.

 Mel, K0PFX, Herbert, AF4JF, Jim, N5MU on the left and at the head of the table on the right side is Rich, N0PQU and Bob, N0IS.

One of the LOs used in producing 24 GHz

 Good food, good company and good conversation.

 Harry's WA0CNS is building a 47 GHz transceiver.

 The bottom side of the 47 GHz transceiver.  Pictured below is Herbert, AF4JF, Harry WA0CNS, Mike, N0OBI and Rich, N0PQU.

Hamfests around St. Louis in 2013

We have just had the Winterfest in Collinsville, IL today - 01/26/2013

Here is a list of interesting hamfests and conferences in our area (please let us know about others):

• Winterfest - Collinsville, IL - 01/26/2013
• Egyptian Radio Club Auction - 03/09/2013 at 4:00pm, check in equip. at 2:00pm
• Lewis & Clark Radio Club Hamfets - Godfrey, IL - 04/20/2013
• Egyptianfest - Sunday 06/09/2013
• Augustfest, Macoupin County ARC - Carlinville, IL - 08/03/2013
• St. Charles Hamfest - O'Fallon, MO - 08/11/2013
• Joplin Hamfest - Joplin, MO - 08/23-24/2013
• CSVHFC - Chicago, IL - 08/25-28/2013
• Peoria Hamfest - Peoria, IL - 09/20-22/2013
• Midwest Div Convention - Lebanon, MO - Fri-Sat 11/8-9/2013

We will add some details to these later.

73 Herbert

AF4JF

First Contest in 2013

ARRL January VHF Contest takes place on the third or fourth weekend in January. Begins 1900 UTC Saturday, ends 0359 UTC Monday. It will be held on January 19-21 this year (2013).

Objective as found on ARRL web site:

For amateurs in the US and Canada (and their possessions) to work as many amateur stations in as many different 2 degrees x 1 degree Maidenhead grid squares as possible using authorized frequencies above 50 MHz. Stations outside the US & Canada (and their possessions) may only work stations in the US (and its posessions) and Canada.

Stations in KH0-9, KL7 & KP1-KP5, CY9 and CY0 count as W/VE stations and can be worked by DX stations for contest credit.

More details here.

Geminid Meteor Shower 13 December 2012

Before getting ready to turn in for the night, I tuned my 2 meter radio to 144.200 MHz.  I could hear about 5-6 pings per minute.  I wasn't hearing any CW or SSB, but I went outside here in EM59 and I was able to see two shooting stars.  I also looked at Andromeda, Jupiter, the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula.  When I came back inside to turn off the radio, I hear an op in EM58 making some Qs!  Darn I wish I had my tower and antennas up right now here in Girard!  Oh well, I am getting closer towards that goal!  Well, well, I just worked Smitty, W0DQY from a vertically polarized antenna!

SLAMS DECEMBER BREAKFAST

SLAMS had our last breakfast meeting on Sunday 2 December.  It was good seeing everyone in attendance and seasons greetings to all!

Last SLAMS Breakfast in 2012

Our next SLAMS Breakfast will be Sunday December 2 at 8:00am.
Location will again be at Denny’s.
Who can make it ?

73, John WB9PNU