[NLRS] First Canadian 122 GHz QSO ?

[Barry Malowanchuk]

Good Afternoon All, 

I am sure most of you are busy with the contest right now, I was there at opening and ran the bands (6-10G less 5.7) with NT0V in ND. This morning I took the classic 122 GHz rig out for exercise. I had intended to do this in Arizona but had to beat a hasty retreat home with the Covid closing of borders. 

At 16:45 on June 13 I had a short distance SSB QSO with VE4DDZ for I think what is a Canadian first? The equipment was just using mixers with a 12 inch dish with subreflector on one rig and an 18 in offset dish on the other side. These dishes will be used with the VK boards when I get a feedhorn to match. 

We also tested a 1 km path ( its hard to get a path this long from your back yard in the city) with use of a beacon and had a great signal 59+. The beacon only has an 18dBi horn but is driven by an efficient multiplier which puts out many dB more than a mixer. The VK boards should perform very well. 

I need to make some modifications to the 18 in dish mount to improve the aiming control...its really sharp! Unfortunately I had to leave its original tripod in AZ for when I return. 

Some time this summer I have to get out and run with the free space optical rigs to see what they can do . Unfortunately again Covid prevented testing them in AZ. 

Best 73 
Barry VE4MA