10 GHz Testing with N0CYT(Nick), AG6QV(Frank) and W7GLF(Ray)

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Ray Cannon - W7GLF

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Sep 3, 2023, 1:14:28 AM9/3/23
to PNW Microwave
We had some interesting testing  bouncing off the Olympic mountains between Marysville and Burien (about 126 km).   Nick finally made a 2 way contact with Frank using a WA2ODO preamp for RX.  Nick's rig is homebrew and Frank's is DB6NT.  The contact was improved when I suggested increasing elevation angle.

I was with Nick at Marysville.  I brought both of my 10 GHz units.  One is homebrew with 18" dish and 2 W DEMI amp.  It uses a preamp made from the boards that WA3IAC used to sell.  The other is a W1GHZ one with a 17 dB horn.  It has a 200 mW Harris Farinon amplifier on TX and a DowneastMicrowave LNA on receive.

I made contacts with Frank on both units.  I was surprised that the 17 dB horn worked as well with mountain bounce as it did.

I am using a Dasco Products AF100 Angle Finder and Level which I bought at McClendons - they don't seem to carry it anymore but I see it on Amazon.  I see another possible tool - Johnson Level & Tool 700 Magnetic Angle Locator which probably would work as well.    I find the level tool invaluable for setting the elevation on my dish.

KR

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Sep 3, 2023, 6:08:40 AM9/3/23
to Ray Cannon - W7GLF, PNW Microwave
Wow.. Thanks for the update.  Ray that's definitely impetus for me to get a good amp and LNA and dish for my Kuhne Microwave setup.  I earned a bit of overtime that will fund that project.  I want to buy those parts before Kuhne leaves Amateur Radio 

I still need to get together with Rod to buy his survey tripod.  I have a dish.  I need to get a working feed horn assembly for it and assemble.

I did get an old laptop revived with Linux Ubuntu 22.04.  I had some difficulty getting rid of the Microsoft boot manager and boot sequence correct.  I have gnu radio companion running on it and working on getting SDR Angel up and running so that I can bring up all the parts on the 10GHz SDR project.  This project is more about hands-on learning RF, plumbing, SDRs, Linux, FPGA, microcontrollers, etc. than about getting a good mountain bounce rover together.

-- Konrad WA4OSH

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John Petrich

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Sep 3, 2023, 2:44:08 PM9/3/23
to KR, Ray Cannon - W7GLF, PNW Microwave
Congratulations to all of you on your 10 GHz successes.  Plenty to talk about at the next meeting.

Regards,
John, W7FU

Ray Cannon - W7GLF

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Sep 5, 2023, 3:24:53 PM9/5/23
to PNW Microwave
I guess everyone is aware that the August VHF contest is this weekend in addition to 405 will be closed between Coal Creek Pkwy and Renton.
Since the Seahawks are playing at 1:30 on Sunday that means more of a mess on 405 and I-5.  I plan on coming to the Microwave meeting - not sure what my route will be.  I might take I-5 down and perhaps 99 to return.  I will need to think about it.

I plan to operate at least some of the contest on Saturday.
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