[NLRS] 10 Ghz and up Summary - KØMHC

Fri Sep 24 12:52:38 EDT 2010

I haven't seen many results so I'll throw my 2 cents in for what it's worth.
This was my 2nd participation in this event and I'd say that overall it was
an interesting experience. I continue to learn from the pros which is one of
the reasons that we all participate. Thanks to Gary WB0LJC for not giving up
on me.

The 1st weekend was a bit wild what with one of the rover packs in my back
yard and the other a bit further north in the RRV. I was somewhat concerned
with the hill and tree obstructions to my WNW (towards Fargo) but these
didn't seem to cause any major signal blockages on either 2 meters or 10
GHz. The weather cooperated and we had a GREAT propagation opening up
through 10 GHz. There was little need to peak the dishes as everyone had a
big signal allowing us to use SSB for the QSOs. The highlights were working
N4PZ @ 646 km and then working N0KP at Buck hill while pointing towards
Fargo (I thought that the dish front-to-back ratio was better than that)!
Thanks to W0GHZ, NT0V and VE4MA for keeping me somewhat close to frequency. 
The improvements for this year were: 
- Remote elevation control and absolute sensor readout - didn't seem to be a
big factor as all Qs were on the horizon and my mast is +/- 0.2° vertical.
- 8 watt DEMI power amp which measured ~ 6 watts at the feed point - seemed
to be a significant improvement (versus 2.5 watts before)
- 3 stage speed control on the dual fan system for cooling the tower mounted
station (XVTR, PWR Booster and PWR Amplifier) -  it was cool outside anyway!
- Panfall graphical display of +/- 24 KHz around 10,386.100 MHz - this is a
big deal for locating weak and/or off frequency rovers! The instant tuning
capability (just clicking on their signal) made working the multiple
stations much easier. For example finding N4PZ in the middle of the QRM from
buck hill and rover packs would have been difficult otherwise.

The 2nd weekend was a bit cooler with the rover pack further south. I was
able to "see" (using the waterfall display) and then work the Wisconsin
Cheesy Fixed stations (K0KFC and all) once we all got onto the same bearing.
I was also able to "see" the Wisconsin Cheesy Rovers (W9FZ and all) but they
couldn't hear me from their location. Again the NLRS rover pack signals were
generally strong but sometimes with unusual QSB and rainscatter phase
distortion but without any visible medium.
The improvement for the 2nd weekend was 10 GHz XVTR frequency control.
Knowing your frequency increases your confidence in making the Q. Thanks to
NT0V I was able to enter the offset due to my intermediate DEMI 2 meter
transverter and be within +/- 1 KHz of 10,386.100 most of the weekend.

Lastly, thanks to W0JT for fixing up my computer log. This is the first time
I used his creation and there were some "operator errors". We are so
fortunate to have him on the NLRS team!

Final results: 168 Qs, 28 unique calls for 32,486 points and a whole lot of
fun.

See you all at Aurora/2011.

73, Jim
K0MHC, EN26ha93
Lake Miltona, MN

-----Original Message-----
From: nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:nlrs-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of w0zq at aol.com
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2010 8:24 PM
To: nlrs at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [NLRS] 10GHz & Up Contest, 2nd weekend, final update.

Here are the "final" plans for this weekends contest.  First Q's at 8:00 am.
W9FZ-15 and W0ZQ-15 on APRS.  Have fun everyone.

73, Jon
W0ZQ

Buck Hill - EN34ir 146.46 Buck Hill is a go, drive uphill very carefully
watching for ruts, 4-wheel drive recommended.
  N0KP 612-720-0009
  N0EDV
  KC0P 612-804-4460 
  AI9Z
  KB0OZN (Sunday)

Minnesota Rovers - 146.46 We will start near Renville, MN (~EN24js). Route
has been changed to avoid rain in Iowa on Sat. We will work our way towards
Pipestone, MN where we will overnight. On Sunday we will most likely work
our way back east. 
  W0ZQ 952-836-7288 APRS W0ZQ-15
  WB0LJC
  WA2VOI
  KC0IYT

Wisconsin Cheesy Rovers - Sat will be making ~ six stops along western side
of Lake Michigan. Sunday back to SW Wisc, most likely EN42wx AM and EN43tq
PM. Looking for others to join, contact W9FZ if interested.
  W9FZ 651-491-1077 APRS W9FZ-15
  WA9O

Wisconsin Cheesy Fixed - Jim's house, EN35rj. Others may join - contact
K0KFC for info.
  K0KFC (H)715-483-2684 (C) 715-501-9088
  W0LCP
  K0AWU (Sat only)
  N0AKC

Other Fixed Stations
  K0MHC - EN26ha 952-836-8378 
  K0AWU - EN37ed (At KFC's on Sat, home Sunday)
  VE4MA - EN19lu
  VE3KRP - EN58ij 807-622-7651

---- end ----

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