[MAMS] April MAD

[Zack Widup]

Conditions were not good today. I tried to work Greg W0LGQ on 1296
around 7:30 am. Neither of us heard the other. We didn't try any other
bands.

I tried with several people in the St. Louis area on 10 GHz but was
unsuccessful with all of them. I worked Wally W9OBG on 1296 - signals
were "OK." We tried 2304 and could just barely hear each other. We
tried 10 GHz and neither of us heard anything.

I worked Ron W9ZIH on 1296 (pinning my s-meter), 3456 (not so strong)
and 10 GHz (signals just out of the noise). For 10 GHz to be that
poor, we'd have to have attenuation instead of band enhancement.

I worked W9SNR on 1296 through 5760. Signals got progressively weaker
as we went up the bands with 5760 just barely out of the noise.
Neither of us could hear anything on 10 GHz. Again, from EN62cc to
EN50rl, our experience indicates negative enhancement.

The wind was picking up by the time we got done trying 10 GHz, so I
packed up. I may have been able to work St. Louis on 1296, as it was
the best band.

I also found out my little 144 MHz Yagi has the coax shield
disconnected from the antenna feed. I was not hearing much on 144
except the N4PZ beacon on or around 144.280 (is this a new beacon?).
I'll have to fix that before the 144 MHz Sprint on Monday.

It wasn't a total washout but I wish it had been better. Hopefully
microwave conditions will be better next time.

73, Zack W9SZ