The SLAMS/BARS group was unusually active in September. Here are the events that took place and links to postings on the SLAMS page (click on the links for more details):
SLAMS September 2020 Breakfast
Sunday, September 6th, Mel K0PFX, Harry WA0CNS, Herbert AF4JF, Armand KD0PFX, Ron KO0Z, Debbie KC9ULA convened at Creve Coeur Park at 9:00 am to test out some gear. Mike N0OBI came by, but somehow we missed each other. COVID-19 is still among us, so we met outdoors, wore masks and kept socially distant.
After several months of being off the air, the WB9PNU 10 GHz beacon is once again up and operating from DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton, MO EM48ss thanks to the hard work and dedication of Mel K0PFX and John WB9PNU. The beacon was thoroughly checked out by Mel and the slot antenna mount was replaced with a stronger mount and the assembly put into a water proof container.
The beacon operates at 10.368.900 with an AFSK CW telemetry. The telemetry data is no longer accurate because of control voltage issues. That will be a future project to re-calibrate the telemetry.
Tuesday evening, September 15 around 7:25 pm (September 16,00:25 Z), we set up our 10 GHz stations to attempt a 10 GHz QSO with Gedas W8BYA in northern Indiana EN70jt and with Russ KB8U in EN71sw. We didn't make any QSO, but we heard each other with Gedas. Click on the link to know more.
ARRL 10 GHz And Up Contest - September 2020
COVID-19, busy work schedules, grandchildren, moving QTH locations all combined took its toll on this year's SLAMS efforts to be radio active for the ARRL 10 GHz and Up contest. Still, it's hard to keep uW hams away from a contest and Harry WA0CNS, Herbert AF4JF and Ron KO0Z put in a day's worth of activity on Sunday, September 20, 2020. We weren't trying to break any records. Instead, we wanted to try 122 GHz and get some activity on the air. Herbert and Harry tried to work Gedas W8BYA in Indiana, but the path just wasn't there. KO0Z didn't even try. His path to Gedas would involve shooting into a thick forest.
ARRL 10 GHz And Up 2020 as seen by AF4JF
The short contest attempt as seen by AF4JF.
