Yesterday was my 1st day back on 10GHz EME after an extended winter break. Excellent conditions plus an extra 3dB or so on TX resulted in a few fun hours. YO2LAM was a new DXCC followed by G8RWG for a new initial, plus an additional six contacts.
Made good progress on the 2nd homebrew 10GHz TVTR this weekend. Old school modular approach, based on W1GHZ + G3WDG designs with new PMA5-123-3W MMIC PA. TX path above deck, LO, VRegs, sequencer and RX plus LNA below.
144MHz IF, 2.5W out on 10368MHz.
#GHz_Bands
My PMA5-123 10GHz PA is working well. After a couple of minor HW changes and two parameter changes in the DC-bias MCU SW I can now measure 2.5W with 24dB gain. A nice add-on for my homebrew TVTRs. Now to think about a suitable enclosure and putting the second one together. #UKGHz
I applied volts to the PA. No magic smoke escaped! Calibration ran okay.
A very quick test (with low bias current) indicated itโs giving 22dB gain. These boards have been a real challenge, 0603 parts and QFN devices are at the limit of my soldering capabilities now. #GHz_Bands
@g1dfl_pete I saw that track but wasnโt sure about the parking up there. As time was short I opted for the lower car park which was still spectacular compared to anything near home.
I was near Combe Gibbet today & had my 10GHz gear with me, so took the opportunity to visit.
Wow! Locationโฆ โ๏ธ
Unprepared, no headings etc. GB3CMS & PKT audible via RS. GCT was S9++ on open WG.
1st time Iโve used uW gear at a decent site. So different to /P in Essex #GHz_Bands
Just testing a new RPi SDR Panadapter setup. Good 10GHz RS at the moment. GB3PKT beacon peaking 59s on indoor /P gear with horn antenna. Seeing my personal QRPp beacon and PKT on 10368.945MHz on the waterfall. The 5โ display seems okay for /P operation.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
I only have the QO-100 feed mounted on my dish atm. 10GHz EME condx are looking good so I tried decoding the DL0SHF/B. Results not too shabby given manual tracking both AZ/EL & Doppler shift.
Setup: 1.2m OS dish, MCTV-670 LNB โ Pluto SDR โ SDRConsole โ VAC โ WSJT-X
#GHz_Bands
Nice 10GHz Q65-60D EME QSO (Initial #34) this morning with Hans, ON4CDU. My second 1.2m to 1.2m dish QSO. Only 10W at the feed this end. There would have been no repeats needed had I not forgotten to nudge the dish! ๐
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
ARI EME Contest today. Conditions were challenging, spreading >200Hz for much of my Moon pass and -2dB Dgrd made it pretty tough going with my small 1.2m/10W 10GHz setup. Still fun, one new initial in the bag, Bert โ DL4DTU with his 2.4m dish. TU to my QSO partners.๐ #GHz_Bands
Four 10GHz beacons were visible all together on the waterfall last night via RS. Using indoor setup with 20dB horn antenna pointing East.
GB3FNY was ODX at 219km, GB3GCT was -17dB (PI4) at 128km from JO01fs.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
Dull and wet outside with light drizzle. New 10GHz transverter propped up on a chair pointing up at the clouds. GB3PKT beacon in on RS. Best -15 so far.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
@WA4OSH Itโs a surveyors tripod. I dispensed with the 11/16 & made a 1/2โ thick hard wood disc with 3/8 hole. This sits in the in the tripod head and centralises things. A 3/8-16 stud with large washer & wing nut secures the P&T head. A spacer is also needed between the P&T and tripod.
@WA4OSH Iโm using a heavy duty pan & tilt head unit (Gitzo PL5) fitted with a wooden tray that grips the TVTR box. A couple of bungee cords can be used if itโs windy. The PL5 attaches to the tripod with a threaded stud and a wing-nut on the underside. Hopefully this photo shows it better
@w3ipa Thanks Tim. Itโs QRP, the output is only 75mW into the dish. The TVTR setup is homebrew and produces 5mW output. My goal is to get to 1-2W. I guess a better description would have been โDriver Ampโ. ๐