[NLRS] uWave Update 2002 Trip Report (L-O-N-G)

[Baker, Donn B]

uWave Update 2002 was held Oct 24-27 in Enfield, CT.  Bob, W0AUS; Barry,
VE4MA; and myself (Donn, WA2VOI/0) "represented" NLRS.  

The conference, which was a combined uWave Update and Eastern VHF/UHF
Conference, was well organizied and executed.  From an attendee's viewpoint,
it was flaw-less.  Facilities were good, sessions were on time, A/V was
good, etc.  The NEWS (NorthEast Weak Signal group) committee deserves a
hearty round of applause for a job well done!  I didn't count snouts, but
Bob estimated around 200 for the largest combined session.  At least one OH1
and one VK were in attendance, with several Gs, VEs, and of course Ws and Ks
from all around the country.  

Microwave Update 2003 will be in Seattle, WA, the weekend of September 25th.
Details should be available starting in January.

There was quite a diversity in topics for the presentations, and more still
in the Proceedings.  Since there were two concurrent sets of sessions (uWave
Update and Easter VHF/UHF) at the same time, it wasn't possible to attend
all the presentations.  When the ARRL has the Proceedings available, it
might be a good thing to get a copy.
**PARTIAL** TOC:
General-
	Roving Observations from the Mid-Atlantic
		Somewhat misleading--talks about Radio Mobile program &
activity
	WSJT (presented by Joe himself !)
		The development & trade-offs; capabilities (detection to as
much as -30dB noise !)
	Powerpole connectors 
		A MUST (!) to convert over to, IMHO
	Directional Couplers 
		limitations, how to use
	Crystal Oscillators, etc.
		Phase noise is the issue, etc.
	--- More ---
50-1296 MHz-
	Mods to Ten Tec 1208
		Move from 20m to 10m i.f.
	Interface circuits for FT-817
		Transverter interface & computer control interface
	Software DSP Solutions for Weak Signal Communications
		Review of what's available & how its used
	New Receive Section for (DEMI) 1296 Transverters
		Front-end changes to improve interference rejection
	--- More ---
2304-5760 MHz-
	Dual Injection Converter
		One Oscillator, multiple LOs; improve interference rejection
	Quest for Microwave Frequency Stability
		Precision, accuracy, stability defined; how to get them !
	--- More ---
10GHz and Up-
	Self-locking screws for Microwave adjustments
	Two 4X microwave Multipliers
	Several items on the QualComm boards
	--- More ---

One tidbit that doesn't seem to be in the Proceedings is a suggestion on
mounting surface-mount MMICs such as the MAR and ERA series from Steve,
N2CEI at DownEast Microwave.  With the bent leads use for surface mount,
there is additional (unnecessary) lead inductance, and higher thermal
resistance.  Drill a hole in the board (if possible; some boards won't allow
it beacuse of the ground plane), and mount the device UPSIDE-DOWN into the
hole.  The leads are now in contact with the PCB traces right at the
package.  Tack-solder the two ground leads.  Solder the input and output
leads.  Cut off the small "stubs" formed by the "feet" of the SM package
leads.  Go back and bend down the stubs on the ground leads, and solder.
Leaving the ground leads on, and soldering full length will help remove heat
from the package.

There was considerable "discussion" re: ERA MMICs and changes of gain with
time.  (This also been on one of the reflectors recently.)  Bottom line is
that a "recent" process change has occurred, and (at least some of) the ERAs
are no longer GaAs; they are a Si-based process.  The "old" process ones
would do 10GHz; the new ones won't.  The change did solve an "infant
mortality" problem (failure within the first hour), and a degradation
problem: the loss of gain and Pout over time.  Someting to be aware of....

A fair amount of good surplus.  Several surplus dealers were present (no
surplus tour... there aren't any places TO tour), with nice stuff.   I
brought home working parts for a NB 24GHz (DB6NT) station--0.2mW output.
W0AUS has the same parts on order.  VE4MA has indicated that he'll have a
portable 24GHz station in time for Aurora next year.  (Can't understand why
he doesn't want to bring down the EME station... I'm sure all of us would
like to look at it !!)  Got several pounds of WR90 stuff for when I start
putting the 20w 10GHz station together. 

See you at Breakfast on Nov 9th.  Richfield.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0