[Lowfer] First Light

[JD]

The term pertains to newly commisioned telescopes, and can probably be 
borrowed for lower frequency photons as well.  Finally got a chance to 
install filters and the ovenized crystal in my new IC-R75 today and hooked 
it to an antenna for the first time.

Technically, "first RF" was WWV at 10 MHz, but the attachment is the first 
_intentional_ RF.  Didn't have a non-metallic tuning tool to trim the 
oscillator, so that will have to wait.  It was only ~2.5 ppm off anyway, but 
it took some hunting to find my targets...I forgot this thing does LSB CW!

MP looked much the same as it did on the Kenwood during the noon hour, 
except not subject to minor frequency drifts as the wind speed increased or 
decreased through the building, while the inverted S of SIW was coming in 
distinctly clearer near sunset than it did in mid-afternoon.

Earlier, on the Kenwood where everything was right-side-up frequency wise, I 
heard XXM testing in WSPR2 mode considerably down the slope of the CW filter 
while I was capturing MP on 2200m. But nonetheless, when I lied to WSPR 
about dial frequency and BFO to fit XXM in, it was able to give -1 to +1 dB 
SNRr at 256 km distance with 0.2W.  He was there later when I got the Icom 
going, but I had to use USB mode then.  Also used the Icom for my first 
spots of XIQ and XXP on 630m about an hour after sunset.  Switched back to 
the Kenwood then, readjusted the audio level to the computer a smidgen, and 
packed the Icom to return it to town.

Heading back out now to see who else I've snagged.

John
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