[NLRS] Re: NLRS Digest, Vol 28, Issue 1

[Donn Baker]

'Evening, Cathy.
Don't know if anyone's given you any information yet or not... haven't seen
anything on the reflector, so I thought I'd hop in.

We started about 10 years ago with WBFM (wideband FM, ~100kHz deviation)
systems, and they were the basis of several years' worth of activity.
About 2000, narrow-band systems (capable of SSB/CW) became available at
reasonable effort and cost.  The WBFM systems are simply not used any more,
although I personally think they are capable of more than we've been able
to get out of them.  All of the current activity is SSB/CW/Narrowband FM
(~3-4kHz deviation).

There are a few stations that operate from their home QTH, but most are
portable.  Only one locally is home based.  You need somesort of mulit-mode
rig to use as an I.F. radio (usually 144 MHz) and a 10GHz Transverter.

There are two basic 10GHz Transverter systems available: DownEast Microwave
and DB6NT.  (Obviously, you can build a system from scratch and
piece-parts, but its quite a bit harder to get something working.)  The
same general approach is used for 2.3/2.4 GHz, so the I.F. radio is useful
in both systems.

DownEast (DEMI) has a couple of versions; 10mW output and 2W output.  An 8W
amp is also available.  Prices are not cheap... $275 for the 10mW kit to
$675 for the 2W unit, assembled.  Unless you are experienced at building
kits w/surface-mount parts I don't recommend a kit.  The 8W amp (requires
2W of drive) is $350... not available as a kit.

DB6NT is very high quality equipment from Germany... with a price to match,
and a Euro to dollar penalty to boot.  The basic kit runs 200mW, and is
about Euro500 with the conversion it comes to ~$650.  Price competitive
with DEMI.

Regardless of which (or some other system) you get, you'll need an antenna.
 Fortunately, these are cheap to build.  (Most) Old DSS dishes can be
converted for 10GHz us for a few $$... the dishes themselves are often
available for free.  

Normally, NLRS has an "Tune-up Day" in August, but that's just not in the
cards for this year. (We just hosted the Central States VHF Society
Conference.  There's not enough time between now and the 10GHz Contest
weekend on 19-20 August to do the tune-up.) If you can manage it, stop over
for an NLRS Breakfast... we talk about a lot of things, but 10GHz is always
one of them.  The group is reasonably friendly, and everyone is willing to
help.  Our August Breakfast is 12 August, 0830, at the Roseville Old
Country Buffet, just north of Rosedale.  There's always an announcement
here on the reflector.

If you have some specific questions, don't hesitate to ask.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0


At 07:50 01-08-06 -0500, Cathy James wrote:
>
>
>
>Sounds like fun, Jon.  Was this on SSB or FM?  I am interested in 
>experimenting with 2.4GHz and 10GHz too, but I am looking for an 
>affordable way in.  Given what I've already spent on my HF shack and 
>several FM HT's, I am hoping to find a relatively low-cost option for 
>microwave play.
>
>Thoughts?
>
>Cathy
>N5WVR
>
>nlrs-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>>> After talking so much radio this weekend, it was  fun to play some
tonight.
>>>     
>>> From the Burnsville Hill in EN34is I  worked the following stations
tonight
>>>     
>>> on 10 GHz rain  scatter:
>>>
>>> VE3KRP   EN58ij     315  miles
>>> K0AWU    EN37ed   165  miles
>>> VE4MA     EN19lu    393  miles
>>> W9FZ       EN34ku   Right  around the corner !
>>> KM0T        EN13vc    186 miles
>>>
>>> Glen, KC0IYT, joined me on the hill  for most of this fun as well.
>>>
>>> 73, Jon
>>> W0ZQ
>>>     
>
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