First Snow Scatter Attempt

 

 Wednesday, 27 December 2023, St. Louis saw it's first "significant" snowfall.  Some areas had big flakes, others not so much.  The snowfall didn't accumulate due to ground temperatures well above freezing.  However, it did afford me the opportunity to set my 10 GHz rig up in the family room, open our French doors to the backyard and to listen for the WB9PNU/B.

The beacon is about seven miles away to my northeast, but my suburban setting blocks my view. I'm only able to point my rig to the north. I have heard the beacon pointing north with rain scatter with good results. I wanted to see how snow scatter works from the same location.

There wasn't a dense amount of snow falling when I attempted the experiment.  I listened around 3:15 pm and I could just make out the beacon.  There was QSB and the signal was not strong enough to get a good copy, but I could make it out. 

I varied my elevation and azimuth heading a bit with varying results.  I do have a limited view, but it fun trying nonetheless.  I consider my first experiment with snow scatter a limited success.

Looking out my French doors towards the north in my first attempt to listen for the WB9PNU beacon while it's snowing outside.  I could make out the beacon, but it wasn't very strong. There was a lot of QSB.  When I took this picture, I had just turned off the rig.

 

Annual SLAMS/BARS Lunch again

Another year flew by and our little group met at the Chandler Hill Winery on Saturday November 11, 2023 once again. Meeting for lunch at this nice location (that is also friendly to dogs) has become our tradition. This was our 7th lunch meeting there.

Chandler Hill Winery

Kevin AD7OI with his wife Tammy KI7GVT came from Hannibal to dine with us. Ron KO0Z with his wife Debbie KC9ULA, Mike N0OBI, Harry WA0CNS and Herbert AF4JF with his companion Darcey met to discuss this year's activities and make some plans for the next year. Kevin and Tammy finally moved to their new house and should have more time for our hobbies now. There were many things to discuss.

Sitting around the table under a gas heater

The weather was nice but November is November and Missouri is Missouri, so we selected a table that was neither outdoor nor indoor. There was a big gas heater just next to the table making our stay very convenient.

Our entire group at the table, except Darcey ...

Darcey was too short to sit at the table, 
so she enjoyed her lunch under it.

Mike discussing optical communications with Kevin

The food was tasty as usual at this location. It is even high enough to make contacts from here, maybe there is some truth on the joke people share about the SLAMS saying that all our rover routes either begin or end at some local winery! We actually have not made any microwave QSOs this time, but Herbert and Harry arrived an hour earlier and calibrated Harry's new SDR transceiver on 3.4GHz band, so that RX and TX frequencies matched each other and the display on the touch screen of the Raspberry Pi that controls Harry's SDR Pluto in so called "Project Langstone". Harry can work on any HAM radio band between 144MHz and 5.7GHz with that.

Hope to meet here again next year!

SLAMS NOVEMBER BREAKFAST 2023

 Over the weekend we gained an hour.  We went from CDT to CST.  The time change didn't seem to adversely affect anyone.  Even Ron KO0Z made it on time to Denny's on Dorset for our monthly breakfast.  In fact he was early!

Pictured from L to R:  Debbie KC9ULA, Armand KD0PXF, Mel K0PFX, Sam W0PCE, Mike N0OBI, Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS.  Not pictured is the photographer Ron KO0Z.

The technical discussion centered around SLAMS current DIY project.  Infrared receivers/transmitters.  Dr. Sam Green W0PCE has extensive experience working with optics.  He brought two IR receivers.  One he built a couple of decades ago and the current board SLAMS is experimenting with now.

                                     SLAMS current IR receiver board built by Sam

                                Dr. Sam's photo diode on his older, prototype IR receiver

                           The flip side containing the IR electronics of Sam's IR receiver   

              

   After breakfast, Herbert and Harry went to upper Creve Coeur Park to test Herbert's  Bulgarian 3.4 GHz transverter.from SG Lab.  It puts out 3 watts and it is reasonable priced.  Harry used his Pluto SDR.

                                             AF4JF's SG Lab 3.4 GHz transverter, 432 IF.

                                                              Herbert's 1.2 GHz amp

                               Harry WA0CNS listening for AF4JF's 3.4 GHz signal at Creve Coeur Park

                                     AF4JF's 3.4 GHz signal on the panadapter screen

                After succesful testing on 3.4 GHz side by side, Herbert AF4JF continued the SLAMS microwave tradition of testing of increasing the distance.  Looking straight ahead, between two trees, AF4JF's Chevy Traverse can be seen on the other side of the park.  Approximately 125 yards away.  Another successful, Sunday, SLAMS test!

NOVEMBER MAD

 Saturday 4 November 2023, Microwave Activity Day (MAD).  The weather was conducive to outdoor activities.  Temperatures in the mid sixties, mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions.  Not bad for a microwave outing.  Especially a few days earlier, morning temps were below freezing. Over the past few months, SLAMS members have presented at three different clubs promoting our activity.  Today, we had two hams accompany us, Richard KF0JEJ and Aaron AE0LZ.  

Our plan for the day was to activate Frenchman's Bluff EM49ma at the western edge of Cuivre River State Park near Troy, MO.  Notice the word, "was."  When we arrived at the park, it was closed for deer hunting. Drats, darn the luck.  We had hoped our visitors using a "loaner rig" courtesy of John WB9PNU with the guidance of Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS would have been able to work four grids from that location:  EM49, EM48, EM38 and EM39.  Hawk Point, 9 miles to the southwest would be in EM48.  Kingdom City is near EM38 and approximately 15 miles north is EM39.  This promises to be a great microwave location.  We also wanted to work Greg, WQ0P in EM19, about 300 miles west in Kansas, but we knew conditions wouldn't be optimum.  Once established and QRV at EM49ma, plans were for Ron KO0Z to head west and to activate the various grids.

                                               VIEW FROM FRENCHMAN'S BLUFF EM49MA

Not to be totally thwarted by the hunting, we regrouped and went to Hawk Point.  A good view back to Frenchman's Bluff but not too good in Greg's direction.  We headed south to Warrenton, MO and we found a McDonald's parking lot, EM48kt to be suitable for shooting west to EM19wf.

                      KO0Z's dish EM48kt pointing 278 degrees towards WQ0P EM19wf.

    McDonald's parking lot, Warrenton, MO EM48kt:  Ron's dish, Herbert AF4JF, Harry WA0CNS sitting, Richard KF0JEJ and Aaron AE0LZ.

Herbert was first to solidly hear Greg's signals on CW.  AF4JF's IC 705 panadapter is a very big help. AF4JF didn't work Greg.  Turns out a PTT connector wasn't fully pushed in.  Ron was able to hear WQOP's signal around 11:10 am. Greg was able to see his signal's waterfall, but not good enough for a two-way copy.

After fixing his PTT problem, Herbert AF4JF went digital with Q65 and he was able to decode Greg, but Greg wasn't able to make a successful two-way with Herbert.  Not bad for no propagation and a 300 mile path.  Progress!

    Herbert AF4JF's screen capture of his Q65 attempt with Greg WQ0P in EM19wf from EM48kt.

Later, Herbert attempted a 1.2 GHz Q with Greg with no success.

All in all, not a bad day.  We didn't anticipate an entire state park being shut down, but we made the most of it.  As the adage goes, "The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray."  Next time for Frenchman's Bluff!

SPRINT Contests Fall 2023

End of the VHF+ contesting season is crowned by the Fall SPRINT Contests. They took place on following days this year:

• 08/26 ... 50MHz
• 09/18 ... 144MHz
• 09/26 ... 220MHz
• 10/04 ... 432MHz
• 10/07 ... 902MHz And Up

We usually participate, but these contests are short and (with exception of the microwave part) take place in the evening. It is not exactly easy for the roving stations to set up and pack the equipment in the dark, so the number of participants is not too high. This year was no exception. No unusual contacts were made this Fall. Interesting is that we made some of the 220MHz contacts on FM using handheld radios. Following pictures document the setups:

Ron KO0Z operated 50 and 144MHz from home

Herbert AF4JF with his HF (and 50MHz) mobile antenna

Harry WA0CNS with his Rover

Herbert AF4JF with his 144MHz beam

Herbert AF4JF with 220MHz antenna

Herbert AF4JF testing dual loop antenna for 432MHz
(worked very well)

Herbert AF4JF in Microwave Sprint
(902, 1296, 2304MHz and 10GHz)

ARRL 10GHz And Up Contest in September 2023 as seen by AF4JF - part 2

We have written several postings about this year ARRL 10GHz And Up contests non this blog site. I have published a video recording in my previous posting here (click to open) with a request for you to estimate how big a distance was covered by that nice FM QSO. I have received several email guesses, nobody posted a Comment here on the blog, so I am going to say it here. This video shows a 10GHz Rain Scatter QSO that spanned 299km between Greg WQ0P in EM19wf and Ron KO0Z in EM38pw. Once again:

This was not the first video that I have recorded that day (September 16, 2023). I have worked Harry WA0CNS from EM48qs while he was at his usual location in EM48rl. The distance is just 33km, but the signal usually is not strong enough for SSB for there are hills between us. We made it on SSB this time, but the next video recording shows just the lining up phase of the QSO (I did not have enough hands to operate my station and record it):

I have one more recording from that day (September 16, 2023). It demonstrates how strong our 10GHz beacon (WB9PNU/B) located in EM48ss was at my location in EM48qs that morning, about 15km away. We usually do not hear the beacon there at all, for there is a ridge between the locations:

Last recording is from the first leg of the SPRINT Microwave contest on Saturday May 6, 2023 in Hannibal. Location is Lovers Leap in EM49hq, the beacon in EM48ss is 129km away. As you can see on the recording, I am pointing to a tree and our beacon comes through Rain Scatter:

Let me finish this posting with a picture - one that shows how beautiful the place above Hannibal where we usually go in EM49hq really is. This is from August 19, 2023, first leg of the ARRL 10GHz And Up contest:

Lovers Leap, EM49hq

QSO with Gedas W8BYA - A New Grid, #70!

 For the past several months, I've been trying to confirm EM58 for Gedas W8BYA.  We've had several "almosts.' Either I could hear him and he couldn't hear me or vice-versa.  Throughout that time, I've been looking for "good" uW spots to operate.  We found one near Staunton, IL but the vacant restaurant proprietor is a bit touchy about us operating from her vacant parking lot.  Oh well.

I have in-laws living in Vandalia, IL and that city borders EM58 and EM59.  Why not try to work Gedas from there and also visit in-laws?  It's closer to Gedas than from Staunton.

As luck would have it, summer weather patterns are still with us in early fall.  An omega block was setting up over the Midwest.  It wasn't nowhere as intense as the one in September.  In September we had heat indices between 110-115 F with relative humidity approaching the upper 70s and very little wind.  In a word, the weather was oppressive. This go-around it was nice to be outside, but propagation suffers.

Last July, I presented an hypothesis at the CSVHFS conference which theorized there are inland, atmospheric seas that propagate uW signals through ET (evapotranspiration), high pressure systems, high relative humidity levels and little to no wind present.

This Sunday, October 1, we have a weaker omega block, nowhere near the high relative humidity levels, lower ET values and a southeast wind as the high pressure system begins to move eastward.  With temps in the 70s F and RH of 60 degrees there was still some 3 cm present.  I located myself at Vandalia, IL EM58kx municipal airport next to a hangar and eventually worked Gedas W8BYA in EN70jt, 394 km or 245 miles away to my northeast.  QSB was very much present.  Still, we managed a CW QSO at 18:28 Z.  We were on the ragged edge, with RST of419 at best on peaks and 319 on average.

It was interesting to listen/see our signals rise and fade over a 10 to 15 minute time span as we beaconed.  In spite of the QSB, we persevered and we made the two-way for Gedas' 70th confirmed grid square on 10 GHz!

              NWS weather map for Sunday, 1 Oct 2023,  I added the red to indicate the omega block.

                                              Vandalia, IL EM58kx municipal airport.

                               I set-up beside a hangar and made the QSO with Gedas 394 km away!

\

            Here is my signal at Gedas' end.  The squiggle in my trace is the RIT tuning me in.

Later that same afternoon, I went to Altamont, IL EM58pw about 23 miles southeast of Vandalia.  A farmer gave me permission to operate near his bean field.  By the time I was set-up and running there was absolutely no propagation to the northeast.  However, I did faintly hear the WB9PNU beacon to my west about 95 miles (153 km) away.

Halloween Hamfest 2023 No Longer Postponed

 

SPRINT 50MHz Contest 2023

Once again, last time this Spring, did we set up outdoors for a short SPRINT Contest organized by the CSVHFS society (click here for details). The 50MHz contest took place last Saturday evening. From the SLAMS group in Saint Louis, Herbert AF4JF/R operated as a Rover from Winfield EM49pa, Foley EM49oa and Cottleville EM48qs. Harry WA0CNS went to High Ridge EM48rl and Ron KO0Z operated from his home in EM48qs. Several other Saint Louis stations were on the band - KC0PP, KB9LLD, N0MII and others. Unfortunately, there was no propagation enhancement, the "magic band" once again behaved like VHF band and we made local QSOs only. Plenty of fun with that!

AF4JF/R in EM48qs at the Cottleville
Community College

Detail of AF4JF/R mobile antenna
(Tarheel 40-6m on magnetic mount)

Harry WA0CNS with one of his 50MHz loops

Second loop WA0CNS tested

M2 loop for 50MHz used by KO0Z on his house

Huge barge at the Winfield Dam and Lock in EM49pa
as seen by Herbert AF4JF/R on Mississippi River
just before the contest

Everything considered, this was a nice day. Let's hope for more participants in the contest next time!

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!