K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

[Mike Lewis]

I mounted a 30x32" offset dish and IC-905 RF unit on a tripod today and used a laser to test the alignment, seems good enough for a first outing. Very close to the offset dish calculator numbers.  I chose to put the arm on top to keep rain out of the open feed horn. It does lengthen the coax some. I wanted to keep weight low for wind stability so the xvtr is low.

The 10G xvtr is mounted behind the dish as a counterbalance but requires 4ft of coax to the feedhorn.  I will look for some suitable WR90 flexible waveguide for future. Using 4ft of LMR400 and 2" of UT141 with an N to SMA adapter of unknown quality.

The RF unit on a pvc pipe slipped up on the tail of the tripod center post, a captivated pin keeps it from sliding off.  This allows easy setup/teardown.  The dish/xvtr piping has a ram mount ball for mounting the 905 control head locally. It can also mount on a separate small tripod or in the truck/camper.  The whole upper part slides off a 12" long 1" OD solid aluminum post for travel. Later I will modify the feed arm to disconnect quickly making it easier to get into a vehicle by packing flat.

Pvc pipe plugs on and holds an Elk Antennas dual band lpda for liaison duty. 

Thursday , tomorrow, I will remove my motorcycle Lithium 18AH battery and test the setup with a weak signal source and do some power measurements at the feedhorn and see what my loss is.  Have 1/2W out to start with.  The horn is 6-7dBi.  Then I will pack up the camper and see if the whole assembly fits in the back of the truck cab as planned.  I have another dish for 600 to 6500MHz I might bring along in case someone wants to try 5.7 or 2.3G.

Where to go?  I have several ideas, all would have a view of Mt Rainier.  I plan to depart Friday to stake a spot if in eastern WA such as Lion Rock.  Some closer alternatives are Little Mtn lookout by Mt Vernon at 900ft cn88, Samish Overlook aka Oyster Dome trailhead park. 1100ft, cn88. Others are Mt Rainier somewhere. Including FS70 turnoff of Hwy 410 above the white river valley as I recall (NE of Mtn, old motorcycle adventure route). 

Mike, K7MDL CN87xs

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

[Nick Krachmalnick]

Good morning All,

Tentatively, I plan on being out in Marysville (CN88VA) on Saturday between 9 and 9:30 AM to setup, starting to operate at ~ 10 AM. I can be out earlier if needed. Mt. Rainier, Pilchuck, Baker, Olympics and Cascades from this location. 18" Dish, 1/2 watt/+27 dBm. Will rotate the dish periodically, starting out pointed to Mt. Rainier at 10 AM.

73's 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNW Microwave" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to PNW-Microwav...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/PNW-Microwave/MW4PR10MB5728E295E0041A184780CC4EF6F7A%40MW4PR10MB5728.namprd10.prod.outlook.com.

--

Nick

N0CYT

PNWVHF Society

Microwave Build Group

nick...@gmail.com

[John Petrich]

Mike,
Can you send some photos? Very interesting set up.
Regards,
John, W7FU

> On Sep 14, 2023, at 7:24 AM, Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

[Mike Lewis]

Here it is set up with a weak signal source 200ft away in back of the yard.  S9+10, very sharp pointing up/down and left/right, less so tilting sideways. So Rx looks to be working decent.

Transmit feedl8ne loss was lowwr than I feared, about 1.1 dB, 1.5dB with some other N F-F barrel connectors to attach my Wavetek 18GHz meter.  I used 2 18ghz rated sma attenuators for 26dB, got +1dBm at the 2" long ut141, then adding the sma/N female adaptor and 4ft of LMR400 to the horn end got about 0dBm.  The xvtr is rated for 500mW, or 27dBm, so 26dBm at the horn is pretty good for 4ft of coax, i will take it.

I plan to get a RAM mount base for the control head to mount behind the dish, for now it is near eye height on its own stand.

Next is to fit it into the truck, pull out my motorcycle battery, load the camper, and pick a destination. Part of the trip is for mw ops, part for camping.  Now where to go? Could do mw shoot then move into the deep woods. Will be rady to depart Friday.

There is 10W into the lpda on 144, 432, and 1296, 50W from the ic706 in the truck on 2M, 25 on 432 so could also try lower vhf bands from lesser known grids.

The pics here show the 26dBm at the horn (0dBm after 26dB attenuation).

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

---

From: John Petrich <w7...@icloud.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 8:56:05 AM
To: Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com>
Cc: Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com>; PNW Microwave <PNW-Mi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [PNW Microwave] K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

 

[Mike Lewis]

2 more of the rf unit connections.

On main RF unit 2.3/2.4G isused for for  IF drive on 10G where it has a 2.xG sma antenna connection there. 10MHz ref runs to Xvtr, and 5.7G is capped with a dummy load. Those are 2W out.  The 10G unit has short piece of UT141 into LMR400. Hopefully the 141 breaks before the sma connection if a mishap occurs.

Small black antenna is GPS, details shown in 3rd pic.   The last cables are the 10G acc cable and POE cable to control head.  I have a HT antenna on the 144/432/1296 N connector here, later will be cabled to the lpda.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

---

From: pnw-mi...@googlegroups.com <pnw-mi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 2:23:47 PM
To: John Petrich <w7...@icloud.com>; Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com>
Cc: PNW Microwave <PNW-Mi...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [PNW Microwave] K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

Here it is set up with a weak signal source 200ft away in back of the yard.  S9+10, very sharp pointing up/down and left/right, less so tilting sideways. So Rx looks to be working decent.

Transmit feedl8ne loss was lowwr than I feared, about 1.1 dB, 1.5dB with some other N F-F barrel connectors to attach my Wavetek 18GHz meter.  I used 2 18ghz rated sma attenuators for 26dB, got +1dBm at the 2" long ut141, then adding the sma/N female adaptor and 4ft of LMR400 to the horn end got about 0dBm.  The xvtr is rated for 500mW, or 27dBm, so 26dBm at the horn is pretty good for 4ft of coax, i will take it.

I plan to get a RAM mount base for the control head to mount behind the dish, for now it is near eye height on its own stand.

Next is to fit it into the truck, pull out my motorcycle battery, load the camper, and pick a destination. Part of the trip is for mw ops, part for camping.  Now where to go? Could do mw shoot then move into the deep woods. Will be rady to depart Friday.

There is 10W into the lpda on 144, 432, and 1296, 50W from the ic706 in the truck on 2M, 25 on 432 so could also try lower vhf bands from lesser known grids.

The pics here show the 26dBm at the horn (0dBm after 26dB attenuation).

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

---

From: John Petrich <w7...@icloud.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 8:56:05 AM
To: Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com>
Cc: Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com>; PNW Microwave <PNW-Mi...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [PNW Microwave] K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

 

Mike,
Can you send some photos?  Very interesting set up.
Regards,
John, W7FU

> On Sep 14, 2023, at 7:24 AM, Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PNW Microwave" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to PNW-Microwav...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/PNW-Microwave/MW4PR10MB57283EFB15122EE404DD0BF7F6F7A%40MW4PR10MB5728.namprd10.prod.outlook.com.

[Ray Cannon - W7GLF]

Forward from K7CVU

I would like to try and work you and any others interested on 10 Ghz if possible.

 I will be high in the OR coast range CN85hq.  I can hit  MT rainier, MT t Helens, and  MT Adams from there.

 Have 21'' offset dish and 3 watts.  I have cell service there( 503 317 5978) and am planning to take a 2 meter rig monitor 144.250

 Can do Sat .   Think that weather will be clear that day  but not Sun.

 Best regards,  John K7CVU

[Ray Cannon - W7GLF]

Nick if it is OK I will plan on being there Saturday.  We can plan on trying 122 GHz contact.  Hopefully Fred will be along as well.

[Ray Cannon - W7GLF]

I am trying to collect info on who is where for 10 GHz contest.  

It is at Weak Signal page at 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VBaKxDQaXhf3N7ZUdr46xt_Yjmzycu3BDD_5ZbEivkE/edit?usp=sharing

Go to 10 GHz Sched Part 2

[Mike Lewis]

I looked at my Oregon and Lion Rock locations terrain path profiles and think for 10GHz, it is better I stay on the west side of the Cascades given the low elevation of most stations in WA.  Will do my EWQ/OR trip later without a dish.  

Thinking Saturday morning Little Mtn Lookout or Oyster Dome Trailhead park, both in CN88 near Mt Vernon, WA at 900-1100 ft with clear views of Puget Sound, Olympics, and Mt Rainier 125miles away.   

The setup broke down easily as planned and fit in the truck cab no problem.  Will skip 5.7/2.3G dish, focus on 10G this trip.

Sunday I am open to going elsewhere, maybe Mt Rainier or Mt Walker.   I will have a battery so can lug the tripod out to the viewpoint.  Maybe team up with Ray to Mt Rainier area?

---

From: pnw-mi...@googlegroups.com <pnw-mi...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Ray Cannon - W7GLF <w7...@qsl.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2023 11:20 PM
To: PNW Microwave <PNW-Mi...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [PNW Microwave] K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/PNW-Microwave/a3469b69-f91d-45be-9dc7-d4d9d35bc148n%40googlegroups.com.

[Rod Johnson]

Are you using 144.260 for liason?

  I can't participate but I thought I could turn on a radio and listen.  

  I accasionally hear a tiny bit of a very weak 'something' on 144.260.

  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/PNW-Microwave/CAJLZ--W47X2wBKR_v6iSDHRQrfF7Ax1j-jQ1s3KZbxQRq94KBQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mike Lewis]

144 250 so far. Worked Ray. No go with Dale from Little Mtn.  Have LOS to Victoria.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

---

From: Rod Johnson <we...@aol.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2023 11:27:43 AM
To: Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com>; Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com>
Cc: PNW Microwave <pnw-mi...@googlegroups.com>

Subject: Re: [PNW Microwave] K7MDL 10G+ contest plans this weekend

[Mike Lewis]

Worked VA7RKM s9+10. Waiting for Frank.

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Get Outlook for Android

---

From: Mike Lewis <k7...@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2023 12:18:44 PM
To: Rod Johnson <we...@aol.com>; Nick Krachmalnick <nick...@gmail.com>