[50mhz] Re: [Moon-net] LOW POWER 144 MHz EME QSO

[Lance Collister]

"Hal ZS6WB (by way of David Blaschke )" wrote:
> 
> On Friday morning at South African moonset another 144 MHz EME QSO was
> completed between W5UN and ZS6WB. What sets this one apart from many
> previous QSOs was the low power and small antenna used on the South African
> end which truly shows that EME operation is possible for anyone willing to
> go to the effort and lose some sleep.
> The output power used at ZS6WB was only 50 watts and the antenna a small 7
> element Yagi with a 2.75 metre boom length and a height of only 5 metres
> above the ground. The JT44 digital mode was used during the contact. W5UN's
> comment at the end of the QSO was "Congratulations on being the smallest (by
> far) station ever worked on 2 meter eme".
> Dave had previously worked W7MEM on 144 MHz CW EME who was using only 25
> watts output with an antenna array of four long Yagis. Taking into account
> the differences in antenna gain and power W7MEM would have had a loop gain
> advantage in excess of 17 db, a huge amount in EME terms and another
> demonstration of how K1JT with his WSJT software has revolutionized weak
> signal VHF operation..
> The moon was only four days past apogee at a distance of more than 390000 km
> from earth and the 15600 kilometres per watt covered should certainly
> qualify this as a good QRP QSO.
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html

Congratulations!  This just demonstates what an exciting and very real possibility
exists for small DXpedition stations using JT44 to make EME contacts!  Not quite as
small a station, but I also was thrilled to complete with a new 2m DXCC myself this
week - HL/ON4MU ;-)  Although I saw a weak Spectran trace from Denis almost every
transmission, a contact would never have been possible with CW.

I am still searching for more DXCC countries with 6m stations using JT44 so we can
complete EME contacts on their horizon.  As the solar cycle wanes and more HF
commercial amplifiers are including 6m, I am hopeful that more 6m operators in DX
countries (as well as 6m DXpeditions) will use JT44 mode.

Best wishes to all for a joyous Christmas, and a peaceful, healthy New Year!  VY 73,
Lance
-- 
Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8)
P.O. Box 73
Frenchtown, MT  59834  USA
QTH: DN27UB
TEL/FAX: (406) 626-5728
URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj