23-on-23 - March 23, 2015

[VK4CZ]

Without trying to attempt to sound like a broken record..... let's see if there is any interest in the next 23-on-23 Activation Event!

The next 23-on-23 will fall on Monday 23rd March 2015.

Being a work night (for some of us), I recommend that we continue with the 'tried and tested' plan and operate as follows:

Phone/CW
Start time: 10:00z / 8:00pm AEST / 9:00pm ADST
QRG: 1,296.100MHz QSY for QSO’s then return

Digital
Start time: 10:30z / 8:30pm AEST / 9:00pm ADST
QRG: 1,296.225MHz (Mode JT65)

Liaison will be on '23 & Above' iChat

It would be great to have stations to the north and/or south of SE VK4 join in. So if you know others that have 23cm SSB/CW/digital capabilities, please extend the invitation to them to participate. It's no secret!

This Monday's 23-on-23 falls immediately after the JMFD, potentially impacting the ability for some stations to participate It is also a Redcliffe & Districts Radio Club meeting night.

For those who can particpate, 'we' forward to hearing as many as possible on air this Mon March 23rd.

[VK4CLG]

Well I'm all for it. I will be at my usual portable spot on top of Buderim (weather permitting) with 23 cm gear. I won't worry about taking anything else with me unless I get word from here that someone wants to try another uWave band. I did go out last month and put out a few calls but never heard anything so I just hope it was the lack of people and not my setup that was wrong.
Looking forward to Monday Night.

Cheers
Robert
VK4LHD

[VK4CZ]

Fantastic Robert.... at least it'll be you and I

I'm good. No teleconferences scheduled (yet) with Paris this week. Be good for SSB and digital modes.

[VK4REX]

Hi Scott

I can only hear stations well south of Brisbane (VK4ZDX and VK4KLC (80 to 90Kms) and VK4VU on the north side). No other north side stations (much closer) are workable. Not a lot of incentive to participate as either the Brissy stations don't point north or need some station enhancements. I am running 180 watts at the antenna and a .25dB noise figure preamp and a 20dBd gain antenna and still cannot hear anyone but the ones mentioned. I do hear VK4ADM locally at 59+.

Pity it's this crook (and the brick wall is starting to hurt) but there's still ZL......

Rex

[VK4KHZ]

After 7 months of turning up for the 23 on 23 sessions and not having any success - probably too far north of Brisbane - I have taken the antennas down and put the FT736r & amplifier back into storage.
I was using 120 watts into an 18 element Yagi.

Shane - VK4KHZ

[VK4CZ]

Shane... it's a shame, but the distance is certainly a limiting factor.

The topography of SEQ makes 23cm a real challenge. Rex is not that far north of me, and with a 38 el yagi @ 15mAGH, hardline feeders and 180 watts here I cant work him. While Robert VK4LHD is usually RS59 (off a scatter path - RS51 direct) operates a few kilometers east of Rex. All part of the fun of 23cm.

I'm embarking on a stack or 4-bay of yagis soon... just finalising the thinking and how it would fit onto tower #3 to help. But I would love to see the likes of Ross VK2DVZ appear. Ross with his dish would be an 'easy' copy here (even with his tree attenuators on the path to BNE) - worse case would be an easy JT65 contact.

[VK4JAM]

Scott - I will aim to be there, family commitments permitting.
Shane - A real rough path to you from my QTH, some 818.161 Km over mountains
Rex - I should be able to work you. Have worked up that way previously, but with an 18dBi grid I find that I am am constantly on the rotator looking for everyone.
I like the idea of 23-23 as it does aim to boot activity
73
Andrew

[VK4REX]

I thought I would plot the path and "predicted" signals to VK4VU from my location.

I set the parameters for close to what Rod is using and the prediction is close to the real results.

The path is very obstructed but it can be done from up here from a home station.

When Rod get to the 20+ watt level it will be an easy contact.

and the path to Scott (it's easy to see what the problem is)

[VK4CZ]

Rex... all very 'clear'!

But what I still don't understand is why we haven't yet complete on a scatter path, like I can with Robert VK4LHD. He is often RS59 when I beam QTF 120, however audible but unworkable (due to the ridge behind me) direct.

[VK4CZ]

Tnx to those who were able to support this months 23-on-23.

Here's the summary from VK4CZ.

SSB
Worked: VK4LHD/p (73.2km - scatter path yagi 100 degree off direct QTF), VK4NA (~20km), VK4VU (6.5km), VK4OE (21.7km)
Heard: VK2MAX (415.5km), VK4ADM (69km).

JT65C
Worked: VK4LHD/P (73.2km - scatter path yagi 100 degree off direct QTF), VK2MAX (415.5km)

See you all, and hopefully many others next month.