2nd Weekend ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest 2025

                      September 20& 21, 2025 ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest

 Although, the 10 GHz and Up contest isn't quite over as I compose this blog, the writing muse is here and my 8 month old granddaughter is napping, so, I'm taking advantage of the time. This year SLAMS has had a few setbacks due to some medical issues, time commitments and equipment difficulties. But it's hard to keep a few good hams down for long.

 Herbert AF4JF, Harry WA0CNS and Jim KK0U may want to share their experiences in the contest. As for me, KO0Z, I only participated in the contest on Saturday for about one hour.  My stepson's wife had a medical emergency which required me to put on my "grandpa hat" to watch my granddaughter, but I was able to test out my 10 GHz rig. Previously, before the contest I installed a new dish, feedhorn arm extender and mini hardline to the external relay.

On Saturday, 9-20 I set up at MidRivers Mall west parking lot (EM48qt) to listen for Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS transmissions from Pere Marquette State Park in IL (EM48rx).  Jim KK0U joined me at MidRivers.

While waiting for Herbert and Harry to set-up, I copied the WB9PNU beacon via rainscatter from DePaul Hospital's roof which is about 12 miles away.  The beacon sounds good. I copied the beacon telemetry at 10:03 CDT:  4 watts out, voltage 12.3 DC, enclosure temp of 98 F and PA temp of 100 F.  Around 11:00 am, we were ready.  I transmitted to Herbert but he couldn't hear me.  Jim was able to hear me, but he was only 10 ft away. Herbert's signal was 599 +.  We were only less than 13 miles apart.  Herbert and Harry were able to copy Jim with strong signals. 

Obviously, I have some work to do.  I suspect my external relay may be the culprit. Drats! At least the receive side of my rig works!  I wish I would have been able to accompany Jim from there.  Our original plan was to travel along I-70 every ten miles or so to work EM48rx.  However, unexpected grandpa duty required me to get back home pronto.  I must admit, having a rig with little output made quitting the contest early easier to swallow. 

Now, I need check out that external relay.  Hopefully, that is my transmit issue. 

                                      AF4JF's rig up and running at EM48rx near Eagle Roost.

 

                                                          Pere Marquette State Park, IL EM48rx

                                              Harry WA0CNS back on the air from EM48rx

Darcy EM48rx "chillin."

 

 

                                     

                                           Jim KK0U joining Ron KO0Z at MidRivers Mall EM48qt
 

                              

                                            WB9PNU/b heard from EM48qt via rainscatter from MidRiverss Mall.

KO0Z's 2nd 24 GHz QSO between Missouri and Illinois !

 Saturday morning, July 16th, TV weather forecasters promising a hot, humid day.  A high pressure cell is retreating from an advancing northwesterly, cold front.  A good day to attempt my second ever 24 GHz QSO.  A week before, Harry WA0CNS lent me his second 24 GHz rig to experiment with.  I made my first 24 GHz Q with Harry and Herbert AF4JF across Creve Coeur Park (approximately 110 yards).  

TV weather forecasters were right (this time) it was hot, getting hotter and the relative humidity increasing from the low 60s.  Outside temp at 10 am CDT, 15:00 Z was 90 F.  Earlier in the morning Herbert AF4JF took the Golden Eagle Ferry across the mighty Mississippi River to the Calhoun County, IL peninsula to gather some peaches before crossing the Illinois River near Grafton and on to Pere Marquette State Park in EM48rx.  His destination is Eagle Roost, a scenic, 800 foot overlook with a uninterrupted view of the southeast to almost west direction.  It is shaded and relatively cool.  A great spot, and one of our favorite microwave locations.  Ron KO0Z, using Harry's loaner 24 GHz rig set up in (EM48qt) MidRiver's Mall, western parking lot (468 ft) looking 17 degrees and 13.22 miles (21.3 km) towards the distant Illinois river bluffs and AF4JF's location.

Herbert aimed his dish southwest (197 degrees) and transmitted USB.  Ron immediately heard his 3 x 9 signal. Herbert's signal strength was solid, but his transmitted audio was distorted.  AF4JF is using SDR/Pluto.  It sounds like his SSB is a bit over driven, but it is copy able.  Herbert's audio sounded cleaner today as compared to last week's test.  Apparently my audio and signal were fine at Eagle Roost!  Herbert is running 100 milliwatts output and Ron has 25 microwatts and we made the 21 km path today!

 We made the 24 GHz QSO around 10:35 am, 15:35 Z and not a minute too soon.  Although Eagle Roost has shade, the parking lot does not. Ron pointed his truck so it would offer a little, precious shade on this hot day.  Remarkably, the Q was made on the first try.  Harry cautioned me that the dish beam width is very narrow and he is so right.  After we made the Q, I experimented and moving the dish. Moving the dish more than a degree made the difference between hearing AF4JF and not hearing him.  

I'd like to thank Harry WA0CNS for lending me his second 24 GHz rig and Herbert AF4JF for making the trek to EM48rx.  I only had to travel less than a mile to get to my uW spot, but Herbert took two ferry boats and crossed the Calhoun county peninsula to reach the park.  Of course there was the added benefit of procuring delicious Illinois peaches and a road trip for his loving canine,companion Darcy.

                               Elevation profile between EM48rx and EM48qt.  The peaks in the middle are the Illinois bluffs just north east of the Mississippi River.

                           The white line is the path between Eagle Roost, IL and MidRiver's Mall, MO.

              Ron KO0Z's truck temporarily offered welcome shade from the 90 F plus temps. The dish is looking 17 degrees towards Eagle Roost 21 km to the northeast.

                               Just to the left on the light pole near Famous Shoes was the 17 degree marker. Eagle Roost and Pere Marquette park are off in them yonder hills.

                       KO0Z's setup and shade on the otherwise, hot, asphalt parking lot at 16:00 Z

                            Harry WA0CNS rig is using a W2PED 24 GHz transverter.

                               Herbert AF4JF forged across the mighty Mississippi via the Golden Eagle Ferry from St. Charles county, MO to Calhoun county, IL and the Calhoun peninsula.  Later, he took the Brussels Ferry across the Illinois River to IL Hwy 100.

                 Herbert AF4JF's Eagle Roost, EM48rx, Illinois 24 GHz location.

                   AF4JF is using SDR as his IF rig for 24 GHz.  He is making a lot of progress working out any bugs.

                                                   Darcy, is always up for microwaving!

                               AF4JF (EM48rx) aiming southwest, 197 degrees towards Ron KO0Z in St. Peters, MO EM48 qt,  13.22 miles (21.3 km) away,.

             NOAA's weather forecast map for Saturday, July 16.  Note the approaching cold front.  Although the map shows rain potential for Missouri, it did not rain on our parade today.  Sunday's forecast calls for much needed rain, so we picked a good day to try out 24 GHz.