Finally beacon GB3LPS came on air this week. It's on 2320.935MHz from IO91FR. Thanks to the team for getting it installed and especially G8KPS who singlehandedly carried out all the "up-mast" work. Please take a listen and beacon spot if heard. #ghz_bands
Made good progress on the 2nd homebrew 10GHz TVTR this weekend. Old school modular approach, based on W1GHZ + G3WDG designs with new PMA5-123-3W MMIC PA. TX path above deck, LO, VRegs, sequencer and RX plus LNA below.
144MHz IF, 2.5W out on 10368MHz.
#GHz_Bands
Adding an Ali screen between the two sections, and some absorber material on the underside of the lid seems to have stopped any unwanted oscillations. The 10GHz PA is finally happy in its new enclosure. 😊
Currently max 2.5W out / 23dB gain.
An interesting learning curve.
#GHz_Bands
The recently upgraded GB3MHZ 23cms beacon, now running Q65-30B, piqued my interest. I made a Bi-Quad antenna yesterday, and have it pointing towards Stansted, roughly 90 degrees off GB3MHZ.
Getting some really good AS decodes, the best at -4dB.
Not too shabby for a simple indoor antenna.
#GHz_Bands
With everything crossed I powered up the PA. No magic smoke escaped! Calibration ran okay.
A very quick test (with low bias current) indicated it’s giving 22dB gain.
These boards have been a real challenge, 0603 parts and QFN devices are at the limit of my soldering capabilities now. #GHz_Bands
122km on 24GHz with the UKuG loan gear was pretty good for less than 20mW I thought! Frequency stability was challenging! This needs fixing but fun to have a go anyway. Patience was rewarded with 5 QSO's. #ghz_bands
A fun 10GHz session from Walbury Hill today. Best dx 430km, not bad for my little 1W PA. Getting the key out for 2 QSO's was a bit stressful though 😅, not my best skill! #ghz_bands
Some difficult 3.4GHz 9cm band QSO's battling against the strong adjacent 5G signals above 3410MHz when pointing directly towards Woking or LHR. Several stations unworkable as a result. Time to investigate some mitigation .... #ghz_bands #UKAC
I was near Combe Gibbet earlier today. As I had my 10GHz gear with me I took the opportunity to visit.
Wow! Location location… ✔️✔️
Unprepared, no headings etc. GB3CMS & PKT both audible via RS. GCT was S9++ on open WG, 1st time I’ve used uW gear at a decent site, different to /P in Essex.
#GHz_Bands
Nice long evening allowing the cobwebs to be brushed off the 3.4GHz gear. A good bunch of QSO's with 300km best dx. This despite challenging wide band interference suspected to be from 5G systems now deployed in Woking and Guildford. #ghz_bands
I was very pleased to work K5DOG -19/-19 for Initial 47 and KM0T -12/-21 on 10GHz EME today. Two quick Q65-60D contacts. Both stations were using a 1.8m OS dish (1.2m OS & 10W my side).
#GHz_Bands
Working on it, but it'll be a #GHz_bands version!
23cm TVTR now "Galileo Ready"! No changes other than a LO synth upgrade. Sigs the same on 1298 compared to 1296MHz in tests over obstructed paths with G1EHF and G3TCU. #ghz_bands
Conditions and activity on 10GHz EME has been good over the last two days. Completed with 10 different stations (smallest being 1.5m / 30W). This has resulted in 4 new initials and 2 new DXCC.
Not too shabby for my 1.2m OS dish, 10W and manual tracking on Moon noise setup.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
A 100mm length of WG16 waveguide drilled in preparation for copper tube posts and end caps to be soldered in place to form a 10GHz BPF.
Waiting on some copper tube and then I will be melting more solder. 😊
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
A very successful inaugural Ridgeway Microwave Round Table today. Loads of projects and equipment on show and a brilliant JT4 on 122GHz demonstration👍. Excellent measurement capabilites to 47GHz. Great attendance- well done all! #ghz_bands
My G3WDG-002 10GHz Receive Converter finally completed and working. As I still had all the parts in my spares box I decided it had to be finished. Just 30 years in the making! 🥴
#GHz_Bands
Caught some 10GHz RS earlier. Both GB3PKT and GB3CMS beacons visible on the waterfall. First time I’ve been able to see CMS using the /P gear indoors. Really must try to get some uW kit up on the main mast this year.
HNY #GHz_Bands
Home made 10GHz TVTR with an FT-818 used as the 432MHz IF. On top of the 818 sits rather precariously an unboxed 5” touch screen and RPi that’s being used as a Panadapter.
Back panel of the Panadapter removed to show a RPi and NooElec SDR. A 5” touchscreen plus a 12/24V to 5V Buck Converter are also shoehorned in this Hammond 160x105x53mm enclosure.
Front view of the Panadapter and 3D-printed bezel. Screen shows QRPp shack beacon / signal source on the waterfall.
After setting up a new RPi and Octoprint today I got my 3D-printer working again. A test print produced a reasonably decent bezel to put the finishing touches to my RPi Panadapter. This will be used primarily with the 10GHz /P setup. I’ve found it to be very useful when there’s RS about.
#GHz_Bands
After some cutting, bending and soldering my new liteVNA 64 was put to good use today 😊 Very pleased with this new piece of test gear.
I now have a 9cms bi-quad feed for my dish setup. Planning to get out /P on 3 & 9cms in the NY.
#GHz_Bands
GA everyone. Fortunately here on the Fen Edge it's just a bit windy and wet. Ordered some bits to try and repair a RSP1 SDR from the late, Great #GHz_bands legend G3LQR. It released magic smoke and I can't resist a challenge! Burnt out smd dual transistor
Please feel free to follow me for the same mindless mix of #hamradio @LUFC, #GHz_bands skateboarding cats and random musings on life.
Or not, and the chance to escape same 😉
