BARS (Bistate Amateur Radio Society) exists to secure for ourselves the pleasures and benefits associated with persons commonly interested in all aspects of Amateur Radio; especially, with an emphasis on microwave and higher frequencies.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
July Meeting Postponed
We have a meeting scheduled for this Saturday, July 14 for Stone Hill Winery in Herman, MO. Due to heat, busy schedules and the upcoming CSVHFS conference in a few weeks, we are going to postpone this month's meeting for December 15 at Stone Hill Winery.
Monday, June 11, 2018
June 10 BARS Meeting/Egyptian Hamfest/ARRL VHF Contest
Sunday, June 10, 2018 BARS members, Ron KO0Z, Herbert AF4JF, Mike N0OBI, Rich N0PQU and Bob N0IS converged on the Egyptianfest (Egyptian Radio Club W9AIU) also known as the Granite City Hamfest around 8:00 am. It appeared to Ron KO0Z that the hamfest was a bit bigger this year. This year a forum over APRS and High Altitude Ballooning was given, which proved to be quite interesting.
Site of Egyptianfest 2018 in Granite City, IL
W9AIU
Ron KO0Z and a Raspberry Pi APRS tracker
Nicely attended hamfest
Herbert AF4JF
Dan giving his APRS balloon presentation
This is a sensor used for APRS, but it could work for beacons as well!
Unfortunately, this hamfest conflicts with the ARRL June VHF contest, but some of us made time to do both. Ron KO0Z put in about 12 hours in the contest. Ron made 56 Qs, 63 QSO pts, 43 mults for a claimed score of 2,709 from his EM59 QTH. Most of the contacts were on 6 meters using FT8; however, there were some CW and SSB contacts made as well. While calling CQ on 2 meters, Sunday evening, Rob AA9MY from Pekin, IL, EN50 gave him a call. It's been at least 10 years since they chatted last. It was fun running the bands with him which included a 23 cm 76 mile CW and SSB QSO. Ron also worked Craig, K9CT on 23 cm, CW.
Earlier in the evening KO0Z tried to work AF4JF from a St. Charles County park, but his antenna was aimed at 70cm RF absorbing tree leaves. H was barely able to hear KO0Zs signals and Ron wasn't able to hear AFJF's transmissions. H has tried transmitting from this park before and he feels that it is not a good spot for VHF+ unless EME is involved. This park has an open view to the sky and an astronomical observatory dome. Herbert plans to do some EME work on 2m and 70cm this summer using JT65.
The top picture is AF4JF's 70 cm in EM48 aimed towards KO0Z in EM59. RF absorbing trees make two-way Qs a bit difficult. The bottom photo depicts the dome used by the St. Louis Astronomy Society.
A big find at the hamfest was a Surecom combination digital wattmeter, SWR bridge and frequency counter for VHF and UHF bands for the low price of $40.00.
Combination SWR bridge, wattmeter and frequency counter
At the hamfest, Mike N0OBI brought the finished 10 GHz slot antenna that he milled out of WR90 waveguide for Ron KO0Z to be used in a future beacon. Tnx Mike for your craftmanship!
Mike N0OBI 10 GHz slot antenna
After the hamfest, we gathered at Uncle Lennie's Restaurant in nearby Pontoon Beach and enjoyed good food and good company before heading back to home and the ARRL June VHF contest. Ron made a slight detour to his favorite watering hole, Starbucks for much needed venti coffee with extra cream in Edwardsville, IL!
After leaving Starbucks, KO0Z looked 50 miles to his north towards EM59 and his town of Girard and saw a line of thunderstorms.
Looking north from EM58 Edwardsville towards EM59 Girard fifty miles away
RadarScope screen shot of the storms
By the time KO0Z drove home, he had just missed the rain. Upon arriving home, not in true contest fashion, he took a nap until AF4JF's phone call awoke him to remind him of their 70 cm sked. This narrative now brings us full circle back to the beginning of this blog. It was a fun, productive day. Looking forward to the next BARS meeting in July 14th at Stone Hill Winery in Herman, MO. After that there is the CSVHFS conference in Wichita, KS July 26-29th.
Site of Egyptianfest 2018 in Granite City, IL
W9AIU
Ron KO0Z and a Raspberry Pi APRS tracker
Nicely attended hamfest
Herbert AF4JF
Dan giving his APRS balloon presentation
This is a sensor used for APRS, but it could work for beacons as well!
Unfortunately, this hamfest conflicts with the ARRL June VHF contest, but some of us made time to do both. Ron KO0Z put in about 12 hours in the contest. Ron made 56 Qs, 63 QSO pts, 43 mults for a claimed score of 2,709 from his EM59 QTH. Most of the contacts were on 6 meters using FT8; however, there were some CW and SSB contacts made as well. While calling CQ on 2 meters, Sunday evening, Rob AA9MY from Pekin, IL, EN50 gave him a call. It's been at least 10 years since they chatted last. It was fun running the bands with him which included a 23 cm 76 mile CW and SSB QSO. Ron also worked Craig, K9CT on 23 cm, CW.
Earlier in the evening KO0Z tried to work AF4JF from a St. Charles County park, but his antenna was aimed at 70cm RF absorbing tree leaves. H was barely able to hear KO0Zs signals and Ron wasn't able to hear AFJF's transmissions. H has tried transmitting from this park before and he feels that it is not a good spot for VHF+ unless EME is involved. This park has an open view to the sky and an astronomical observatory dome. Herbert plans to do some EME work on 2m and 70cm this summer using JT65.
The top picture is AF4JF's 70 cm in EM48 aimed towards KO0Z in EM59. RF absorbing trees make two-way Qs a bit difficult. The bottom photo depicts the dome used by the St. Louis Astronomy Society.
A big find at the hamfest was a Surecom combination digital wattmeter, SWR bridge and frequency counter for VHF and UHF bands for the low price of $40.00.
Combination SWR bridge, wattmeter and frequency counter
At the hamfest, Mike N0OBI brought the finished 10 GHz slot antenna that he milled out of WR90 waveguide for Ron KO0Z to be used in a future beacon. Tnx Mike for your craftmanship!
Mike N0OBI 10 GHz slot antenna
After the hamfest, we gathered at Uncle Lennie's Restaurant in nearby Pontoon Beach and enjoyed good food and good company before heading back to home and the ARRL June VHF contest. Ron made a slight detour to his favorite watering hole, Starbucks for much needed venti coffee with extra cream in Edwardsville, IL!
After leaving Starbucks, KO0Z looked 50 miles to his north towards EM59 and his town of Girard and saw a line of thunderstorms.
Looking north from EM58 Edwardsville towards EM59 Girard fifty miles away
RadarScope screen shot of the storms
By the time KO0Z drove home, he had just missed the rain. Upon arriving home, not in true contest fashion, he took a nap until AF4JF's phone call awoke him to remind him of their 70 cm sked. This narrative now brings us full circle back to the beginning of this blog. It was a fun, productive day. Looking forward to the next BARS meeting in July 14th at Stone Hill Winery in Herman, MO. After that there is the CSVHFS conference in Wichita, KS July 26-29th.
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
May 6 BARS Brunch
Sunday, May 6 at 11:30 am found Herbert AF4JF, Rich N0PQU, Debbie KC9ULA and Ron KO0Z gathered for lunch at Aerie's Winery perched high above Grafton, IL. Although the NWS forecast called for intermittent thunderstorms, the weather outside couldn't have been more pleasant. Blue skies dotted with sporadic, puffy white clouds, a steady breeze and temps in the lower 80s made for a fine setting for our May BARS gathering!
Not much was discussed in terms of microwave, but we are beginning to make plans for a possible gulf coast uW DXpedition in September for the second half of the ARRL 10 GHz contest. Recently, Herbert posted about the positive performance of 13.8 VDC, 8 amp battery booster he bought from Ebay. It worked well. Saturday's MAD outing discovered that his old MFJ booster wouldn't work at all. When last powered up, it worked well.
Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS had some success on 24 GHz during MAD, last Saturday, but I didn't bring a notebook to jot down details, so rather than trust my memory, I'll defer to Herbert to supply them.
All-in-all, it was a great day to gather and Debbie and I had fun making the two hour trek back to Girard taking scenic, country routes which included a stop at a farm for fresh asparagus and ice-cream cones along the way!
Our next meeting will be after the Egyptian ARC Hamfest in Granite City on Sunday, May 10 at Uncle Lennie's Restaurant in Pontoon Beach, IL.
Rich N0PQU and Herbert AF4JF enjoying lunch
Debbie KC9ULA and Rich N0PQU
Looking southwest, high above the Mississippi River and Grafton, IL
Looking south across the Mississippi River
The view looking southeast from Aeries Winery
Not much was discussed in terms of microwave, but we are beginning to make plans for a possible gulf coast uW DXpedition in September for the second half of the ARRL 10 GHz contest. Recently, Herbert posted about the positive performance of 13.8 VDC, 8 amp battery booster he bought from Ebay. It worked well. Saturday's MAD outing discovered that his old MFJ booster wouldn't work at all. When last powered up, it worked well.
Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS had some success on 24 GHz during MAD, last Saturday, but I didn't bring a notebook to jot down details, so rather than trust my memory, I'll defer to Herbert to supply them.
All-in-all, it was a great day to gather and Debbie and I had fun making the two hour trek back to Girard taking scenic, country routes which included a stop at a farm for fresh asparagus and ice-cream cones along the way!
Our next meeting will be after the Egyptian ARC Hamfest in Granite City on Sunday, May 10 at Uncle Lennie's Restaurant in Pontoon Beach, IL.
Rich N0PQU and Herbert AF4JF enjoying lunch
Debbie KC9ULA and Rich N0PQU
Looking southwest, high above the Mississippi River and Grafton, IL
Looking south across the Mississippi River
The view looking southeast from Aeries Winery
Sunday, April 8, 2018
BARS April Brunch 2018
Saturday, April 7, 2018, 9:30 am at Maverick's Steak and Spirits restaurant parking lot on a sunny and very cold day, Herbert AF4JF, Rich N0PQU, Zack W9SZ and Ron KO0Z gathered for a morning of 10 and 24 GHz beacon testing.
Once again, Herbert and Rich set up behind what used to be the "B-52 restaurant" next to an open field to test their 10 and 24 GHz beacons. Meanwhile, Zack and Ron drove about a quarter of a mile away and set up their rigs. Zack brought his 10 and 24 GHz rigs.
Zack, W9SZ, and his rig, braving the cold, setting up his 24 GHz rig
Zack W9SZ almost ready to receive AF4JF's 24 GHz beacon from across the field
The red roof building across the field is where H, AF4JF and Rich N0PQU set up the 10 and 24 GHz beacons
Herbert, AF4JF getting ready to set up his beacons for testing. The grey box is the 24 GHz beacon
A close up view of the 24 GHz beacon that Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS constructed
The 24 GHz wave guide slot antenna for the beacon
The 10 GHz beacon using a log periodic antenna. An arduino processor is working with the Elcomm synthesizer to produce the 10.368.875 GHz signal. It tested out well in the extreme cold!
In spite of the bitter cold, both beacons 24.192 GHz and 10.368.875 both performed flawlessly. Clean signals, no discernible spurs and little to no drifting. Herbert' s testing of an Arduino processor in conjunction with a synthesizer worked out well in the field. Herbert and Tomas OK1DXD plan to submit a paper to the CSVHF Proceedings for the upcoming conference in July at Wichita, KS.
Here are more pictures of Herbert's and Rich set up near the field:
10 GHz beacon with LP antenna for testing
Herbert picked up this battery booster (hooked up to the battery) on Ebay. It worked well
24 GHz beacon enclosure with slot antenna
In position and getting ready to test
The view from Herbert and Rich to Zack and Ron across the field
In addition to our field testing, Herbert brought along three built-up 10 GHz, W1GHZ cheap transverters for us to see. Harry, WA0CNS is keeping busy building, among other things, these boards so we can get more folks involved with microwave; especially, during contests!
W1GHZ cheap 10 GHz transverter built-up by Harry WA0CNS
W1GHZ 10 GHz transverter pipe cap filters
Although it was quite chilly, the morning proved to be a successful test of the arduino and the beacons. The cold temps made this test even more valid. Everyone braved the cold temperatures. Perhaps knowing that a warm, hearty lunch awaited us back at Maverick's helped everyone's endurance. Needless to say, Maverick's and its lunch buffet was a very welcome sight! Mike, N0OBI and his friend Bill joined us for lunch. It was good seeing them.
All in all, a very fine day for our microwave activities.
Here is a video of the 24 GHz beacon test:
Here is a video of Herbert's 10 GHz beacon:
Once again, Herbert and Rich set up behind what used to be the "B-52 restaurant" next to an open field to test their 10 and 24 GHz beacons. Meanwhile, Zack and Ron drove about a quarter of a mile away and set up their rigs. Zack brought his 10 and 24 GHz rigs.
Zack, W9SZ, and his rig, braving the cold, setting up his 24 GHz rig
Zack W9SZ almost ready to receive AF4JF's 24 GHz beacon from across the field
The red roof building across the field is where H, AF4JF and Rich N0PQU set up the 10 and 24 GHz beacons
Herbert, AF4JF getting ready to set up his beacons for testing. The grey box is the 24 GHz beacon
A close up view of the 24 GHz beacon that Herbert AF4JF and Harry WA0CNS constructed
The 24 GHz wave guide slot antenna for the beacon
The 10 GHz beacon using a log periodic antenna. An arduino processor is working with the Elcomm synthesizer to produce the 10.368.875 GHz signal. It tested out well in the extreme cold!
In spite of the bitter cold, both beacons 24.192 GHz and 10.368.875 both performed flawlessly. Clean signals, no discernible spurs and little to no drifting. Herbert' s testing of an Arduino processor in conjunction with a synthesizer worked out well in the field. Herbert and Tomas OK1DXD plan to submit a paper to the CSVHF Proceedings for the upcoming conference in July at Wichita, KS.
Here are more pictures of Herbert's and Rich set up near the field:
10 GHz beacon with LP antenna for testing
Herbert picked up this battery booster (hooked up to the battery) on Ebay. It worked well
24 GHz beacon enclosure with slot antenna
In position and getting ready to test
The view from Herbert and Rich to Zack and Ron across the field
In addition to our field testing, Herbert brought along three built-up 10 GHz, W1GHZ cheap transverters for us to see. Harry, WA0CNS is keeping busy building, among other things, these boards so we can get more folks involved with microwave; especially, during contests!
W1GHZ cheap 10 GHz transverter built-up by Harry WA0CNS
W1GHZ 10 GHz transverter pipe cap filters
Although it was quite chilly, the morning proved to be a successful test of the arduino and the beacons. The cold temps made this test even more valid. Everyone braved the cold temperatures. Perhaps knowing that a warm, hearty lunch awaited us back at Maverick's helped everyone's endurance. Needless to say, Maverick's and its lunch buffet was a very welcome sight! Mike, N0OBI and his friend Bill joined us for lunch. It was good seeing them.
All in all, a very fine day for our microwave activities.
Here is a video of the 24 GHz beacon test:
Here is a video of Herbert's 10 GHz beacon:
Thursday, March 15, 2018
BARS meeting on March 10, 2018
We have met in just two weeks after last BARS meeting ... it is not easy to schedule our regular meetings without collisions with other activities like hamfests, contests, mother's days etc. The yearly schedule passed several review ... and despite all this, we have picked the very same day and time with the local QCWA chapter meeting. Which influenced our attendance a little ... only 6 of us have met at Miss Sherri's on Manchester today: Rich N0PQU, Mike N0OBI, Ron KO0Z, Debbie KC9ULA, Roman KD9COA and Herbert AF4JF.
The location is very suitable for meetings, even for bigger groups. Plenty of tables of all sizes and excellent food. We certainly will return to this location in the future!
(Update on April 6th, 2018: Miss Sheri's went out of business today. Owner does not want to continue)
(Update on April 6th, 2018: Miss Sheri's went out of business today. Owner does not want to continue)
See you in Litchfield next month!
73 Herbert
AF4JF
Monday, February 26, 2018
WB9PNU 10 GHz Beacon Update
Visiting my grandchildren on Sunday afforded me the opportunity to introduce them to microwave hill topping and to check my 10 GHz rig to see if it is still working and frequency stable. I set up behind St. Robert's Catholic Church (EM48rs) located on a ridge near Missouri Route 94 and Interstate 70 in St. Charles. I aimed my dish towards DePaul Hospital about 4 miles away due east in EM48ss. I am happy to report that the WB9PNU 10 GHz beacon is QRV and so is my rig! Beacon telemetry on Sunday, February 25 around 4 pm local time indicated beacon power output to be 1.43 watts, 12.94 volts, 64.7 F enclosure and 66.7 F amp temperature.
Vy 73 de Ron, KO0Z
Saturday, February 24, 2018
February Breakfast
It was good seeing everyone again. Cabin fever had set in and getting together to discuss winter projects harks of springtime. In fact, Zack heard the chirping of red wing blackbirds which means robins are not far behind! We gathered at the TA Truck Stop, Country Pride restaurant for good food, good conversation and good company. Harry, WA0CNS was unable to make it; however, he is hard at work making the W1GHZ 10 GHz cheap transverters and he has four being constructed. FB Harry! Our hopes are to get these "loaner" rigs out for contests to get more hams active in the fun of microwaves.
Ron is going to order gasfets for his 24 GHz doubler and proceed on with his stalled project.
Mike and Ron discussed grinding mirrors for telescopes.
Ron showed his dongle, LNA and Tbias connector. He hopes to copy the WB9PNU beacon with the dongle and LNA while visiting his grandkids in St. Charles.
Our next BARS breakfast will be in St. Louis.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)