BARS September 30, 2017 Lunch

Litchfield, IL, I-55 exit 52, Maverick Steak House and Spirits restaurant, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 10 am.  Herbert, AF4JF, Zack, W9SZ and Ron, KO0Z met at the restaurant parking lot and moved a quarter-mile north to parking lot overlooking a field and Zack drove northward to a parking lot at the opposite end of the field, approximately 1 km to test out Herbert's 24 GHz transverter with a 432 MHz IF.

Zack and Herbert were able to hear each other quite well!  A successful test for AF4JF!  Ron, KO0Z is still working on his 24 GHz rig.  He needs to get a 12 GHz doubler to proceed further.

It was a beautiful, fall Saturday with temps in the 70s and low humidity.  A good day to microwave.  After the test, we ate a big lunch at Maverick's and made plans for the upcoming microwave sprint/MAD on Saturday October 7th. Both Zack and Ron were able to copy the WB9PNU beacon in Bridgeton, MO with S-1 signals.  Not very strong, but detectable.  We had the I-55 off ramp ridge between us about a half-mile away which could have been blocking signals.

                   Herbert, AF4JF setting up 24 GHz to work Zack, W9SZ across the field

Zack, W9SZ looking south, across the field, towards Herbert, AF4JF

 
                                      Initial contact between AF4JF and W9SZ on 24 GHz

 

 

                                         24 GHz QSO between AF4JF and W9SZ EM59de

                               Zack, W9SZ and Herbert AF4JF chatting in Maverick's parking lot

                                                 AF4JF's 24 GHz dish with splash feed point

                   Herbert, AF4JF setting up while Zack, W9SZ is doing likewise across the field.

                                           Close up of  the 24 GHz splash feed 

                                                      AF4JF's 24 GHz transverter 

                                             Herbert ready to make a 24 QSO test with Zack!
 

               
                                                      Herbert's 1.2 GHz transverter 

                          Zack, W9SZ set up at the north end of field with his 24 GHz rig. 

                    A successful 24 GHz QSO, now time for lunch at Maverick's in Litchfield.