Amateur radio, EME, GHz_bands, VHF, HF and Digimodes.
Joined March 2011
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Yesterday was my 1st day back on 10GHz EME after an extended winter break. Excellent conditions plus an extra 3dB or so on TX resulted in a few fun hours. YO2LAM was a new DXCC followed by G8RWG for a new initial, plus an additional six contacts.
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
My build experience:
radio.g4hsk.co.uk/2025/12/12…
#GHz_Bands
I applied volts to 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
I was near Combe Gibbet today & had my 10GHz gear with me, so took the opportunity to visit.
Wow! Location… ✔️
Unprepared, no headings etc. GB3CMS & PKT audible via RS. GCT was S9++ on open WG.
1st time I’ve used uW gear at a decent site. So different to /P in Essex #GHz_Bands
Just testing a new RPi SDR Panadapter setup. Good 10GHz RS at the moment. GB3PKT beacon peaking 59s on indoor /P gear with horn antenna. Seeing my personal QRPp beacon and PKT on 10368.945MHz on the waterfall. The 5” display seems okay for /P operation.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
I only have the QO-100 feed mounted on my dish atm. 10GHz EME condx are looking good so I tried decoding the DL0SHF/B. Results not too shabby given manual tracking both AZ/EL & Doppler shift.
Setup: 1.2m OS dish, MCTV-670 LNB → Pluto SDR → SDRConsole → VAC → WSJT-X
#GHz_Bands
Nice 10GHz Q65-60D EME QSO (Initial #34) this morning with Hans, ON4CDU. My second 1.2m to 1.2m dish QSO. Only 10W at the feed this end. There would have been no repeats needed had I not forgotten to nudge the dish! 🙂
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
ARI EME Contest today. Conditions were challenging, spreading >200Hz for much of my Moon pass and -2dB Dgrd made it pretty tough going with my small 1.2m/10W 10GHz setup. Still fun, one new initial in the bag, Bert – DL4DTU with his 2.4m dish. TU to my QSO partners.🙂 #GHz_Bands
Four 10GHz beacons were visible all together on the waterfall last night via RS. Using indoor setup with 20dB horn antenna pointing East.
GB3FNY was ODX at 219km, GB3GCT was -17dB (PI4) at 128km from JO01fs.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
Dull and wet outside with light drizzle. New 10GHz transverter propped up on a chair pointing up at the clouds. GB3PKT beacon in on RS. Best -15 so far.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
The new 10GHz PA module is now installed and working. Hope to get out later today to do some /P tests. Fun on the #GHz_Bands.
Patchwork fun with a “Franco” SU-02 10GHz PCB.
The pieces now all fit together nicely in the enclosure and the PSU still works. Now to see if I can get the rest of it working again without any devices letting the magic smoke out. 🤞
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
Initial tests were free of any magic smoke. 🙂 With a new cobbled together PSU board and the 2nd device changed to a MGF1601 I’m currently getting +18dBm output. Now to fit it into the TVTR enclosure🤞
Full credit to GI0GDP for his UKuG Scatterpoint article
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
Trying hard to complete some projects. 10GHz Beacon / test source and SA downconverter basically working. +7dBm output and 10GHz downconverter outputs to 618MHz which works well with Rigol DSA815TG SA. All locked to a 10MHz OCXO.
Fun on the #GHz_Bands
All the main modules of my 10GHz QRP TVTR are complete. RX and TX sections have been tested. Now to fit it all in the box, add sequencer, relays etc while leaving space for a small add on “Franco PA”. Space & interconnect cables are going to be a bit of a challenge. #GHz_Bands
Yesterday I took a hacksaw to a MCTV-670 LNB. One of the easiest I’ve found to modify for QO-100/10GHz. It now ref locks to 25MHz and has SMA connections. Testing it indoors with a horn antenna I heard the new GB3BED beacon for the 1st time and GB3PKT. Both via RS. #GHz_Bands
Experimenting with two Rev 2 TX up-converter boards. They haven't let out any magic smoke (yet)! 🙂
Measuring +5dBm out on 10368MHz. Using an FT-818 on 432MHz as the IF.
#GHz_Bands
