[AReU] AREU meeting next Tuesday

[Tony Stone]

I have a full schedule next Tuesday as I will not get off from work until 
5:30 pm but I have
a presentation cooked up for the meeting.

As you know from previous meetings I have been working with some commercial
microwave equipment and have been modifying it for the ham bands.

I picked up some interesting stuff at Dayton and in conjuncton with what I 
already have
I have figured out some interesting demonstrations for your enjoyment.

I have a small handout about waveguides and what sizes are used for 
different frequencies.
I address only rectangular waveguides because that is all I have for a 
demonstration. There
are circular waveguides and eleptical waveguides also. I have a sample of a 
flexible waveguide
and adaptors of different types. I have a directional coupler and a 
circulator using
3/4 inch guide also.

I will show you how to use a "slotted waveguide section to measure VSWR and
frequency and have a variety of "launchers" to take a signal from a coaxial 
cable
and inject it into a waveguide. I have a couple of "horn" antennas also.
I was hoping to get a 2 way system going on 10.368 GHz but I don't know
if it will be completly ready. We will at least operate one way on SSB and 
talk
back will be on FM. It will take a couple of seconds on the makeshift 
transverter
to change from receive to transmit. You will be surprised at how directional 
the
antennas are even though they are very small. I was having trouble aligning 
them
when they were only 3 feet apart. I have obtained a full 2 way link on 
10.368 GHz
using FM but the range was extremly-extremly limited (would you believe 3 
feet)
because I didn't have an optimum transmit-receive switch.

I have a "plunger/detector" arrangement that Roy (WD8RBB) gave me this year.
I have a demonstration using it that will roughly determine the frequency of 
a microwave
oscillator. It can be used from 1.2 GHz up to past 10 GHz. It's not
very accurate but will give you an idea if you have a "clean" or "dirty" 
transmitter.

Hopefully I will have another fairly effective 10 GHz rig finished in the 
near future.

Hope to see you folks next Tuesday.

73

 Tony