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)

See you in Litchfield next month!

73 Herbert

AF4JF

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

February Breakfast

           Pictured left to right:  Herbert, AF4JF; Zack, W9SZ; Harold,KD9SG; Rich, N0PQU; Dallas, WD9IVD; Bob, N0IS and Mike, N0OBI.  Not pictured is Ron, KO0Z taking the snapshot. 

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.

CSVHFS Spring Sprints 2018

Let's make plans to participate in the CSVHFS spring sprints:

144 MHz, April 9 from 7 to 11 pm local time

222 MHz, April 17 from 7 to 11 pm local time

432 MHz, April 25 from 7 to 11 pm local time

uW,  May 5 from 8 am to 2 pm local time

50 MHz, May 12 23Z to 3Z on May 24.

BARS Project Update

Last week, I visited Herbert, AF4JF and deep into the recesses of his electronics laboratory, I saw some of his latest endeavors.  He and Rich, N0PQU are working on a PTT relay developed by W1GHZ to be used in a Radio Shack 10 meter transceiver to act as an IF rig for Rich's 10 GHz transverter.

                                                W1GHZ PTT relay board

In addition, Herbert is experimenting with a sequencer circuit.  This board is capable of sequencing four different functions.

AF4JF is making steady progress on the BARS 10 GHz beacon project.  He used a programming board designed by OK1DXD using an Arduino processor that controls an Elcom synthesizer and it is switchable between four discreet frequencies, as well as acting as a programmable beacon with call sign, grid square designation and 4 sensor readings!

This Arduino processor, Elcom combination produces about 10 milliwatt of power at 10 GHz.  Herbert was using a LP for an antenna and a satellite downconverter connected to a SDR dongle to view the spectrum.

Although we are in the throws of Winter which limits outside uW activity, inside, BARS is making progress.

Happy New Year!

                                                         Happy New Year 2018!

ARRL 10GHz And Up Contest Results

Ron KO0Z just sent out a link to a very nice article about this year's ARRL 10GHz And Up contest (click here if you want to read it). That contest mentions many famous names and callsigns and even few of ours. It also mentions results. I am glad to publish here that Zack and Ron both made the "Top 5" lists in their call area!

Congrats!

Let's hope that we will have more contest participants and even better results next year. You can see the contest included in the BARS activities on the right side of this blog.

73 Herbert
AF4JF