I hope you have been enjoying the improving band conditions, especially on 6 meters. I must confess I’ve spent some time on HF, adding to my DXCC totals. Lots of activity on 10 meters, but even 40 meters and 80 meters are cooperating some evenings.
Back to VHF and Above. This month, we have several upcoming events to tell you about. There are plenty of places, from the west coast to the east coast, to gather with other VHF, UHF, and Microwave enthusiasts to swap stories, gear, and even learn something new!
My thanks to all who work to put these events together and promote them. Please always send along any news about meetings, conferences, and on-air activities. I’m happy to publish them.
2024 Conferences of Note
First up is MUD (not the kind all this rain is creating) but the Microwave Update. This year’s conference is in Vancouver, British Columbia and will be held October 3rd through the 5th. Mark Thompson, VE7AFZ, reports that all info about the conference can be found here - Microwave Update 2024
From Bill Caldwell, N0LNO, comes news of the Central States VHF Society meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in July of this year. More info here at the CSVHF web site at http://www.csvhfs.org From experience I can tell you this is a knowledgeable group, with outstanding presentations. Their proceedings publication is not to be missed.
Jay Baack, N1AV writes to let us know of the upcoming EME conference to be held near Trenton, New Jersey August 9th through the 11th. While the focus of the conference is 432 MHz and above, those interested in working EME on 50, 144, and 222 are certainly welcome! There will be presentations, fellowship, and even an "EME101" course offered during the conference. If you are at all interested in the world of "moon bounce" this is a great place to start. Find the details at https://eme2024trenton.org
Odds and Ends
CAT Display Project
Luis, EA5DOM, from IM98 on the Mediterranean Spanish coast, writes to tell us of a project that may be of interest to those who use selected radios as IF decks for transverters on the higher bands. Called Maxicom, this project is designed for operators using Yaesu radios as IF for their transverters. Maxicom has been developed in less than a year by Julio, EB4CUV (software) and Luis, (hardware) This is basically a CAT display for Yaesu FT817/818/857/897. It is not only a nice color touch screen but also includes unique tools for the rover and portable microwave operator.
Some of the nicer features include an audio waterfall, memories by band to allow for storing regularly used frequencies, and a Sun AZ/EL indicator for calibration/alignment purposes. The project is sold as a kit.
Here are Dropbox links to the current user manual and Kit assembly manual in English
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zpif3o7rbs9sbfkpm8b2k/Instructions-Manual-English-5CV8xx.pdf?rlkey=v55kz4nm9diglktvrt6ux3a2p&dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/i1rjlxxtg8fd50yqlv6ti/Assembly-Manual-for-Kit-MAXICOM-5CV8xx-English-Ver1.pdf?rlkey=t2nofgd86ns5gmcj4tjof11f5&dl=0
A link to buy the project HamBuy shop link is here
https://www.hambuy.es/hambuy/4588-maxicom-5cv8xx.html
Any questions or interest, contact EA5DOM directly by email - luis@vigilant.es
(Note – I do not (yet) own one of these, and have no financial interest in the project)
10 Ghz Activity
From Pete, N0OY, we learn that he and WQOP made a couple of snow scatter contacts @1600z on February 16, their first. Both stations were on the back end of a large snow mass heading Northeast from Kansas. Pete expects that others would find conditions ok for doing the same in similar circumstances. Signals were 55a both ways and with about 1 khz of doppler. Sounded like spring!
Ron, W9ZIH has returned to the air on 10 Ghz and reports a successful contact with WD9BGA in Wisconsin at about 90 miles on February 22nd. Signals were strong enough to support SSB transmissions, even with QSB.
On the Bench at N4DTF
Two projects of note around here. First, in the interest of advancing technology, I am working to implement a Cariboulite SDR using a Raspberry Pi. (Photo A) This device is a HAT for the 40 pin connector on the RPi. Thus far, configuring the software is the biggest challenge. Stay tuned for more updates on this little transceiver, which covers 30 MHz to 6 GHZ.
Making Contacts
Get on the air and make some contacts! As we move closer to spring, tropospheric openings will be more common, you can watch for these via the Hepburn Maps at https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html
6 meters is experiencing a variety of propagation, including some F2 (HF – like propagation) when the solar flux rises above 150-175. Watch www.DXmaps.com for openings. Remember that there is a group of operators on 50.145 every morning using SSB to work meteor scatter, look for them beginning around 6 am local time. Visit the Sidewinders on Two page to find a local 2 meter SSB/phone net at https://www.swotrc.net/TheSWOTRCHP.aspx
Finally, get your 222 Mhz equipment on the air around 6pm local time on Tuesdays, you will find a great group of ops on phone, EME and of course digital modes on Tuesday evenings.
Please continue to update me on your events and activities and I will post them here!
73,
Trent
N4DTF EM55
