Further Experimentation

 Further Experimentation

Sunday, November 15, a blustery, albeit sunny day with temperature in the upper 40s around 9 am, found Harry WA0CNS, Herbert AF4JF and Ron KO0Z at Creve Coeur Memorial Park.  Harry and Herbert experimented with light communication. Harry was using red LED 635 nm in his station and Herbert was using 650 nm laser. That's a frequency around 462 THz! Harry also built an infrared beacon. Although the distance was only approximately 60 feet, both Harry and Herbert made successful 2-way QSOs using light.  Receiver sensitivity as checked and the experiment indicated that precise aiming of antennas is a necessity.  In early December, Harry and Herbert are going to further their 122 GHz distance record.

                             Harry WA0CNS receiving Herbert's AF4JF light signal.

                                      Herbert AF4JF transmitting to Harry WA0CNS

                                             Harry, Darcy and Herbert conferencing

                       Herbert AF4JF receiving Harry's WA0CNS signal at Creve Coeur Memorial Park

122GHz challenge

When Harry WA0CNS and Herbert AF4JF made their first 122GHz QSO on September 20, 2020 during second leg of the ARRL microwave contest, everybody was surprised how easy it was. Our second 122GHz QSO during the SPRINT Contest on October 12 made it look even easier. We were planning on extending the distance spanned by our QSOs over 10 miles. First step was supposed to be a QSO from EM48rq (Chesterfield, MO) to EM48rr (Harvester, MO) across the Missouri river over a distance of 3.65 km with direct line of sight. We have found suitable locations, checked them ahead of time ... everything seemed to be "granted":

This picture shows Herbert's location and open view towards Harry (on a hill on the horizon):

However, neither of us heard a beep, just a noise. We have tried to turn our antennas, tune the radios up- and down, move around the parking lot ... nothing. Herbert even went across the river to Harry's location to make sure that Harry really points his antenna in correct direction. Everything was OK, just no signal. 

Weather situation (recorded on Herbert's side of the river) was:

• temperature 4.1 deg. C
• dew point 1.3 deg. C
• pressure 1011.9 mBar
• humidity 43.2 %

The day was actually very windy, we were both "frozen to the bone", so we gave up for the day and decided to continue on the next day, make sure our stations still work and decide how to continue.

Next day was a little warmer. It was also the day of a SLAMS meeting. The SLAMS just started having meetings in the local park instead of eating breakfast together at Denny's. Harry WA0CNS and Herbert AF4JF got together in the Creve Coeur park. (EM48sr). Armand KD0PXF joined us for a short talk later. Harry started a small fire to keep our fingers movable:

Weather situation was:

• temperature 16.3 deg. C
• dew point 3.9 deg. C
• pressure 1000.5 mBar
• humidity 40.2 %

We have set up our stations approximately 100 ft. apart first, then about 1000 ft. In both cases, we have heard each other immediately. Signals were very strong and stable, exactly on the frequency (IF on 144.4 MHz CW) where expected:

WA0CNS

AF4JF

View from AF4JF towards WA0CNS

Well, our stations appear to be in good shape. Signals were very strong and aiming was not too critical (at least not for Herbert who uses a conical horn). We are not sure why our contact across the distance of 3.65 km didn't work. Looks like QSOs on the 122GHz band will be a challenge and come with surprises...

Herbert and Harry already decided on next try, two weeks ahead from now. We hope to have more good news to report after that next test.

73 Herbert

AF4JF

Fall Sprint October 2020

 Saturday, October 10th afforded me an opportunity to see Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS operate in the Fall Sprint.  They were able to make a two-way 1.2 GHz QSO with Zack W9SZ in Illinois from the YMCA.  They also tried on 2.3 GHz and 10 GHz with no propagation.  They spent the rest of the morning experimenting with 122 GHz.  Stability issues were resolved and successful Qs were made in the YMCA parking lot.  Feeling empowered and emboldened, we decided to relocate at 370 Lake Park (EM48rt) near St. Peters, MO.  

S-9 signals were achieved shooting across the lake about six-tenths of a mile.  We are making plans to attempt a 7K path in a few weeks!

                            Herbert AF4JF at the YMCA parking lot with some of his uW antennas.

                                                       

                    Harry WA0CNS with his portable uW gear at the YMCA parking lot

                      

                 AF4JF is setting up his 122 GHz rig to work Harry WA0CNS at the YMCA parking lot.

    The view at 370 Lake Park, EM48rt from WA0CNS across to the other side to AF4JF about .6 miles.

                  Harry WA0CNS with his 122 GHz rig at 370 Park EM48rt 

Herbert wrote about his  sprint experience: 

I have participated on the contest too. However, my participation was aimed at testing new technologies. 

I have made a CW QSO with Zack W9SZ on 1296MHz across 259km, but not on 2.3GHz although the stations were comparable in RF power and antenna gain on my side. Maybe next time. We have also tried 10GHz, since we have worked each other from this location, but no luck this time.

The next thing I was testing was my new 122GHz unit from VK. We have made a contact wit Harry WA0CNS using these units before, but it was on windy day and my station was open with no shielding of the PCB. As a result, the frequency stability, although GPS disciplined, was not good enough. This has definitely changed, two pieces of styrofoam fastened to the PCB on both sides to cover the oscillator did the trick! Even with 1pps frequency reference (I haven't modified this board for 10MHz yet), the frequency was stable enough for convenient CW QSO! We have worked each other across a lake with Harry WA0CNS with S9+ strength and nice clean signals ... wow!

One of attached pictures shows my "small" 122GHz unit with conical horn in front of the 10GHz tripod. I am also including a picture of Harry's station that uses a dish and rifle scope for aiming.

We are planning one more test over longer distance this year.

73 Herbert

AF4JF

ARRL 10GHz And Up 2020 as seen by AF4JF

As Ron KO0Z has just published in his posting, some of the members of the SLAMS group attended second leg of the ARRL 10GHz And Up contest today. We have not attended the first leg for various reasons, so we decided to take it light and only participate in one day of the activities. Some of our usual contacts went to the Great Lakes for this contest anyway.

As we published earlier this week, we have recently tried to use good tropo propagation to work Russ KB8U and Gedas W8BYA on 10GHz. We didn't make the QSOs, but it was close. Gedas W8BYA and Ron KO0Z copied each other S-8, but the propagation didn't last long to complete the QSO. Driven by this in our mind, we tried again and scheduled some tests with Gedas this morning. However, there was no propagation, no enhancement from Mr. Hepburn or Rain Scatter and we didn't make a QSO today. No problem, there will be more thunderstorms in the future!

We have picked a location at one of the YMCA gyms in Saint Louis, because it is close to the WB9PNU beacon and because we have worked stations from the direction to Gedas on this hill before. Following picture shows the horizon in the direction of 60 degrees:

Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS set up their stations for 10GHz and 122GHz today. Darcey (Herbert's dog) made sure everything was set up properly:

Speaking about 122GHz - Harry and Herbert both used the popular module from Australia with a radar chip on it. The modules worked well, but we will have to make some finishing touches to our stations - thermal insulation being one of them. The CW signal was a little unstable until Herbert covered the unit by Darcey's drinking bowl to lower frequency drifting. The units are GPS-disciplined by 1pps signal, but the short term stability needs to be improved. However, that didn't stop us from making our first QSO.

All this activity took place in the morning. Ron, KO0Z arrived at his location on the cliff in EM48rx shortly after 10:00 am and we made our contest QSOs on 10GHz.

Herbert and Harry moved from YMCA in EM48sq to the Community College in St. Peters (EM48qs) and later to the town of Wentzville (EM48ot) and mase several more contest QSOs on 10GHz. It was shortly after 1:00 pm when we decided to stop for the day and return home.

WB9PNU/b and Rainscatter

 I'm glad the WB9PNU/b is back up and running on 10.368.900.  Today, Tuesday, Septermber 8 around 2 pm, I noticed there were thunderstorms north of my St. Peters, MO EM48qs QTH.  This afforded me the perfect opportunity to take a break from remote learning with my grandkids and to see if I could hear the beacon via rainscatter.  I was able to copy it rather well.  Although the beacon is only 10 miles away (16.7 km) from my QTH, I don't have a line of sight path.

73 de Ron KO0Z

WB9PNU Beacon Back on the air

 After several months of being off the air, the WB9PNU 10 GHz beacon is once again up and operating from DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton, MO EM48ss thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mel K0PFX and John WB9PNU.  The beacon was thoroughly checked out by Mel and the slot antenna mount was replaced with a stronger mount and the assembly put into a water proof container. 

The beacon operates at 10.368.900 with an AFSK CW telemetry.  The telemetry data is no longer accurate because of control voltage issues.  That will be a future project to re-calibrate the telemetry.

SLAMS September 2020 Breakfast

 Sunday, September 6th, Mel K0PFX, Harry WA0CNS, Herbert AF4JF, Armand KD0PFX, Ron KO0Z, Debbie KC9ULA convened at Creve Coeur Park at 9:00 am to test out some gear.  Mike N0OBI came by, but somehow we missed each other.  COVID-19 is still among us, so we met outdoors, wore masks and kept socially distant.  Herbert brought along his dog, Darcy and Ron and Debbie brought Toula.  Toula is wearing a "dish" to keep her from licking her stitches.

Mel brought his 10 GHz rig to let everyone hear the repaired WB9PNU beacon located on top of DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton, MO.  The beacon has a very strong signal at the park location.  Mel could point his dish in any direction and the signal was still loud and clear.

Herbert experimented with a patch antenna and a log periodic antenna with his PLUTO SDR transceiver.  Harry WA0CNS brought his 2.3 and 3.4 GHz transverters.  Herbert was testing some antennas and tuning with the PLUTO waterfall.  WA0CNS has a very impressive H frame for his uW yagis.

222 MHz and UP 2020 Weekend

Sunday, August 2, 2020; COVID-19 Virus is once again on an exponential rise, plaguing the nation.  Social distancing is the order of the day.  Still, Herbert AF4JF, Ron KO0Z, Debbie KC9ULA and Harry WA0CNS ventured out this morning to practice some "radio activity" while still maintaing social distancing.

Herbert, Ron and Debbie went to Eagle Roost at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton, IL EM48rx and Harry went to High Ridge, MO in EM48rl, a distance of almost 35 miles.  Herbert, Ron and Debbie were on the road by 7:00 am and crossed over the Mississippi River into IL via the Grafton Ferry boat.  By 8:40 am we were QRV.  At 9:16 am, Ron made a two-way CW 10 GHz QSO with Harry.  Right after that we made a two-way SSB 10 GHz QSO.  S-9 signals both ways, both times! 

Next on the agenda, Herbert using a BBQ dish antenna and his PLUTO SDR transceiver made could hear Harry's 2.3 GHz SSB signal!  After a little tuning, Harry was able to copy Herbert's 2.3 SSB 10 milliwatt signal with his downconverter and IF rig!  AF4JF then put in a 1-2 watt amp and both stations copied each other's SSB signals with 5 X 7 reports.

AF4JF then made a 1.2 GHz two-way QSO with WA0CNS with 10 milliwatts and a WA5VJB PC log periodic antenna!

By 10:30 am we finished packing up and we were on our way back to St. Charles.  Herbert went back via the ferry boat and Ron and Debbie continued southward on the Great River Road, enjoying the scenic view, towards Alton before taking Hwy 367 back to I 270.

Not a bad way at all to get some exercise, some radio and still social distance during the pandemic. It was great "seeing" (hearing) everyone today!                  

           

Herbert AF4JF making a 2.3 and 1.2 GHz Q with Harry WA0CNS 35 miles away.

    The white box near the tripod is Herbert's 1 to 2 watt multiband amplifier.

          Ron KO0Z's 10 GHz dish aimed south towards High Ridge and Harry WA0CNS 35 miles away.

                              Darcy is used to microwaving with Herbert!

               Herbert AF4JF tuning in Harry WA0CNS with his PLUTO SDR

                     

                             Herbert's PLUTO SDR

          Debbie KC9ULA and Toula waiting patiently.

             Herbert's 2.3 and 1.2 GHz set-up.  Ron's 10 GHz rig is pointed towards EM48rl.

                    Crossing the Mississippi River with a toe boat and barge in the channel.

                          Ferry boat landing in Missouri.

                                           Herbert waiting to board the Grafton Ferry

Harry WA0CNS in EM48rl, High Ridge, MO.  We made 10, 2.3 and 1.2 GHz two-way Qs, 35 miles!

                                                   EM48rl hitch hiker

                    This chap is attracted to KO0Z or he's an Illini fan, orange and blue colors!

Herbert summed up today's outing with this email:

Ron and Harry,

Thanks for coming out with me on such short notice! I wasn't sure until Friday evening if I will find the time .. I am glad that I did.

What I wanted to test today was:

- if Harry will copy me and if I copy him on the PCB antenna on 2.3/3.4 GHz .. negative, this didn't work on 2.3GHz so we didn't even try on 3.4GHz

- if Harry will copy me and if I copy him on the BBQ dish antenna without PA .. positive, this worked both ways

- if Harry will copy me using the LUXUL PA/preamp unit ... positive, this worked. RX preamp was fine, but TX needs adjustment of driving power

- if Harry will copy me and if I copy him on lower microwave bands (903/1296MHz) using the PCB antenna ... positive, we made 2-way QSO on 1296. Wow!

These results gave me an idea what I need to put in the box with SDR PLUTO to make it multi-band rover transceiver with as simple band switching as possible. 

73 Herbert