VK3/VK5 Microwave Activity Day

[VK3AXH]

Hi Iain,

Subject to weather I will be around on 3rd November from Mt Buninyong with 1296, 2400 and 10G. I guess we liaise on 2m ssb as usual perhaps 144.150
Any comments???

Ian - VK3AXH

[VK3PY]

OK....."D" day is getting closer. We need to agree on operating times. I'm pretty flexible on this. I can stay out the whole day, morning to evening if that's what it takes (WX permitting, of course).

At this stage it looks like David VK3QM and Ken VK3NW will accompany me. We will each have separate equipment set up for most bands from 2.4GHz to 10GHz so as to compare performance etc. We can also take 144/432/1296 if this is deemed worthwhile (shall we say XXX.180 on each band?), and 40m SSB - 7.090 MHz +/- QRM?). Local Yokels can call us on the VK3RGL 147.000 MHz or 439.500 MHz repeaters. As a fall-back I can be contacted by phone on 0458 994 495. We might also have the Logger available, depending if the other wireless internet stuff on the hill allows it.

We will be at our usual field day QTH in the hills 15km west of Geelong, Loc. QF21CU, about 210m ASL.

Chas
VK3PY

[VK5ZD]

Hi

Subject to weather I will be around on 3rd November from Mt Buninyong with 1296, 2400 and 10G. I guess we liaise on 2m ssb as usual perhaps 144.150
Any comments???

If you go on the 3rd you'll be a day late

I'll have all bands up to 10GHz. The site I'm planning to use is an hour or so drive from home but I hope to be set up and ready to operate by 10am (10:30 in VK3). Will have VK Logger / iChat (depending on phone coverage) plus 40m for liaison.

xxx.180 works for me.

[VK3ALB]

I'll be at Mt Leura QF11NS with 2m, 2.4G, 5.7G and 10G and possibly 40m. I will have logger access, perhaps we could use iChat 23cm & above as that area is relatively quiet? Will also have my phone 0411 860 402.

[VK5KK]

Hi All

In a couple of days we will put a the matrix (spreadsheet) together with directions/distances based on grid locators to/from all stations who have indicated they will be active. Any updates. extra's or location changes please post over the weekend!

At this point there will be two VK5 locations activated, one in PF94 (VK5KK) and one in PF95 (VK5ZD). Some activity from the SE VK5's (hint, hint!) would be great as an intermediate distance for both ends to work.

What frequency on 40 metres? (sorry not a HF op!) VK5KK Mobile = 0418800534, Second Op VK5AKM .. any other Southern area VK5's welcome to the PF94 site.

Cheers

David VK5KK

[VK5KK]

Sorry just saw 7.090 MHz +- minus QRUM .. Will tune Hustler to that!

[VK3ALB]

It's not very often we get an opportunity to work the Adelaide guys on microwaves, how many other microwave ops in the East and South East are heading out?

[VK5ZD]

Myself and Tim, VK5ZT, will be at the Palmer Lookout (34.833373S, 139.126461E).
Concentrating on a 10GHz day in VK4 first

[VK3YE]

Sorry just saw 7.090 MHz +- minus QRUM .. Will tune Hustler to that!

Just a word of caution that 7.090 might not be the best frequency to use.

On weekends it's often full of QRP portable SOTA stations and people trying to work them, so would be highly distracting for microwavers trying to line up dishes! SOTA activity may spread 5 - 20 kHz above and below during busy times. SOTA is especially popular in VK1, VK3 & VK5. There's also national parks activity around there as well.

It may be better using a quieter section of the band where you'll be left in peace. Eg above about 7.170 kHz or, if activity is strictly during the day, anywhere above 7.200 kHz (which is largely unused). If you're still out at twilight / early evening move down below 7.100 to avoid the b/cast station and DX QRM.

[VK5KK]

Hi All

Did a quick reckie on the southern site yesterday and settled on the following site @ Echunga South. So final positions for VK5's ...

VK5KK/AKM - Hack Road, Echunga PF94ju 138.801548E 35.128157 S - 479 metres ASL
VK5ZD/ZT - Palmer Lookout PF95ne 139.126461E 34.8333735S - 392 metres ASL

The map below shows relative positions of sites, (VK5KK - VK5ZD 40 deg true, 44 km apart). At 550km range from a line through Melbourne thats about a 4 degree difference!

Tnx peter for comments on 40 metre frequency, 7.170 kHz

Hopefully we have the same conditions next Saturday as yesterday .. VK5RSE repeater (Mt Graham - 310km site of Mt Gambier beacons) was noise free on on a handheld from Hack Rd at 10.30am

Cheers

David VK5KK

[ADMIN]

So final positions for VK5's ...

VK5KK/AKM - Hack Road, Echunga PF94ju 138.801548E 35.128157 S - 479 metres ASL
VK5ZD/ZT - Palmer Lookout PF95ne 139.126461E 34.8333735S - 392 metres ASL

David, if you create a VK5KK/P account with the Logger, and populate the relevant fields with your latitude and longitude, all VK Logger users can then use the integrated distance and bearing calculator to work things out.
Others can also plot your location using the Mapping facility, which can be interesting when viewing in Terrain view.

Of course, for accurate distance & bearing data, others should also sign in as their /P selves (with their own portable lat/lon set accordingly) if they are not operating from home.

[VK5KK]

Hi All

Thanks Admin for logger tip!

Quick scan through this forum reveals the following list of VK3/VK5 stations participating, bands active, contact numbers and locations. I've also put in VK5RSE beacon, not sure if the power supply has been replaced so this may not be on the air, will confirm that but handy distance from both ends for check. Colin VK5DK has indicated he will be on from home (subject to being oncall).

Please review and post any updates, errors and omissions and I'll update the spreadsheet then send out. A mobile number would be handy if 40 metres is on the blink. Looking at locales all seem to have a minimum of Telstra/Optus 3G coverage so we will be able to use the logger.

From above have put together a quick look up chart . First figure is direction (Degrees True) followed by the distance in km. Left column is the "From" (your) station, across is "Target" station.

BTW: The only lat/long I am not quite sure on is VK3HZ/ES in QF22hp so took a guess, could be a km or so out. I haven't factored any terrain factors into the chart but from memory there are lumps of dirt on a couple of the VK3-VK3 paths that might be a problem. Checking terrain on /P path profiles on the logger as per previous post is the go to check. Any additions/updates in station locations we'll update the look up chart.

Thats it for now

Cheers

David VK5KK

[VK3ALB]

Sorry David,

We've had a change to our location and moved about 55km east of Mt Leura to Mt Gellibrand QF11VS. This is on private property and boasts a 270 degree negative horizon, a big benefit for our group. We sealed the deal with the land owner today and I've updated the details in my profile.

Sadly, my internet dongle is Optus and there's no coverage up on the hill but we'll still have have 40m, 2m and mobile phone coverage.

[VK5KK]

Hi Lou

No problem, I'll update the spreadsheet. It will get uploaded Wednesday so still time for changes and any "extra" stations

Cheers

David VK5KK

[VK3PY]

Just confirming the change of 40m frequency for co-ordination to 7.170 +/- QRM, propagation permitting.

"Locals" can call us on 144.180 or VK3RGL/2m repeater.

We will have at least two, maybe three entirely separate systems on most microwave bands, mostly with 600mm dishes. I am taking a 1.2m dish for 2.4 & 3.4 GHz, with the option of trying 10GHz on it too if the weather is not too windy (makes pointing it very difficult on this band).

Chas
VK3PY

[VK3QI]

Lou,

Congratulations for stitching up the deal - Mt Gellibrand has always been a great spot.

All you need now is a cheap Telstra 3G prepaid phone like a T6 and the purchase of a few data packs and you have your internet access.

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[VK3BQ]

Lou,

Congratulations for stitching up the deal - Mt Gellibrand has always been a great spot.

All you need now is a cheap Telstra 3G prepaid phone like a T6 and the purchase of a few data packs and you have your internet access.

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

the tower at gellibrand is shared between optus, vodafone and telstra,

you just need the right band device.. (u900 low bad 3g for optus).

http://www.rfnsa2.com.au/SiteInformatio ... ID=3239001

[VK3ALB]

Thanks folks, I'm not that fussed about the internet I know in the past when we've had internet on field days we've barely looked at it or used it.

I have a company supplied dongle which I'll try again on the weekend. I've had past experience using it on comms site and I think with all the RF flying around up there it just can't cope. I know of others that have had similar experiences and found that shielding the dongle a little has helped. I might make a tinfoil hat for mine.

[VK3APW]

Hi David,
another entry for your spread sheet

I will be at Berwick QF21QX with 2.4 5.7 10 24 and 47 GHz. I will have 40M, 2M and 70cm available for liaison, and of course the mobile 0408743515. I should be set up shortly after noon. Internet, not sure??

Cheers

Peter vk3apw

[VK3HZ]

I've added a VK3HZ/P OpInfo entry with the exact location of the operating site in front of Andy's shed.

I've also done path profiles in Google Earth for both David VK5KK/P and Iain VK5ZD/P. Both paths are very clear, with high locations at both end, but ~570 km. So, 10GHz looks like a distant ( ) possibility, but 24GHz would need major assistance from the propagation gods, so very unlikely.

What equipment are you running on 10GHz (power, dish size, locking)? And digi (JT65) is probably the main possibility.