Hello moonbouncers,
There was very nice CW activity during ARRL contest this year (on all bands except 2m from US) and it is unfortunate I did not have a lot of free time for it.
I also “worked” JT65 logger eme (I thought: who is going to find out anyway??) and apart from constant chatter I also found JAMMING.... a lot of Jamming, even from its own creator!!?
Check a small part of it from N0UK logger:
11/19 17:04 VE3KH you being jammed by K1JT and W6YX (W7IUV Larry WA DN07dg 216.215.40.193)
11/19 17:05 Why Larry .... they on 142 also? (VE3KH Kevin ON FN03aj 24.141.203.45)
11/19 17:06 They are calling me to get a contest poitn and it ain't gonna happen!! (W7IUV Larry WA DN07dg 216.215.40.193)
11/19 17:08 Thansk Larry 73 ... Yes, I have been jumped by a quite a few stations (VE3KH Kevin ON FN03aj 24.141.203.45)
11/20 17:47 Also hr k1jt calling me -22 but not ans him (KN4SM/5WL/KW Jerry VA FM16qt 24.241.251.86)
11/20 18:02 Contest = reduced courtesy! (K5DOG/2M Stevedog NM DM52xw 65.127.140.122)
11/20 18:04 Yes, K1JT and W3SZ can hear on gold tooth. (K5DOG/2M Stevedog NM DM52xw 65.127.140.122)
One thing I wouldn’t regret missing on EME is JAMMING!!!
GL 73, Petros SV3AAF
I have this QRO-amplifier for sale but because of the weight and size, only local pickup is possible.
Think ít´s only interesting for amateurs located in Sweden.
It is advertised on:
http://www.dx-radio.se/?an=3402
Lars SM5DCX
Hi Folks,
I bought this powersupply SNT Emerson BML 231 204/5
It is standard set to 54Vdc output and contains a fiber optical interface.
No further adjustments at all.
Is there any-1 who has experience with this kind of powersupplies and configured it down to 48Vdc?
Met vriendelijke groet,
Jan Pa0PLY
Andy,
Both are feeds used on dishes:
The scalar ring is really a choke ring and used to control RF fields
at the mouth of the horn. It can be used on both septum and
non-septum feeds. Typically, it is needed for dishes < f/d = 0.4
(f/d= focal distance/diameter and is a measure of how deep a dish
is) High f/d ratios require a horn with wider beamwidth (aka less
gain). The VE4MA horn is one that commonly used for
f/d<0.4 "Scalar" choke rings are used on the cylindrical "VE4MA"
dish to cut off sidelobes on the dish pattern by suppressing
radiation on the outside of the mouth of the horn. The basic VE4MA
horn is simply a section of cylindrical wave guide with one end closed.
On 1296 circular polarization is used. For eme the standard is to
transmit in RHCP and receive in LHCP. RH=right hand; LH=left hand
and refers to which direction the RF wave rotates. The easiest way
to visualize it is by thinking of how a nut rotates on a bolt on RH
thread vs LF thread. The reason two senses of CP are required is
that CP is reversed upon reflection from the surface of the Moon.
To generate a circular polarized signal there are two basic methods:
1) using a hybrid to feed two probes inside a horn at right angles to
each other with RF phased by 90-degrees, or
2) using a septum feed horn which has a stepped center plate running
down the middle of a section of waveguide (either square or
cylindrical shape). This plate is called the septum and it separates
two probes inside the horn. One is used for Rx and the other for Tx
and the nature of the septum is that is produces circular
polarization of both senses but opposite at each probe.
There is actually a third method which uses tuned stubes to generate
CP. It is very effective but difficult to properly tune. The
septum's advantage is its simplicity and high efficiency. In the
septum the two polarities are produced without need of external
hybrids (which add loss) and fairly high isolation exists between Rx
and tx (typically 24-dB). This eliminates use of high power TR
relays. One needs typically 60-dB isolation (for power up to 1kW) so
a fairly low-power relay can be used on the Rx port to add isolation
(typically a mw sma relay). e.g. 1000w (+60 dBm) - 24-dB = +36 dBm
(4w). The relay must be able to handle 4w (easy) and have more than
36-dB isolation (also easy). The relay needs very low insertion loss
(not easy).
For dishes like mine with f/d=0.5 higher gain is needed (smaller
beamwidth) to properly illuminate the surface of the dish without
spilling over the edge. This is done with either flared horns (like
I am using) or something called a dual-mode horn.
This is just a simplification of the general issue of dish feeds and
the best tutorial is given by W1GHZ's Microwave Antenna Book (on line).
73, Ed - KL7UW
At 06:15 AM 12/17/2011, Andy Furlong wrote:
>Hi Ed...this is Andy WA2FGK...
>I am a newbie on EME...ABOVE 432 MHz
>I have 500 watts on 1296 out of a DB6NT Amp and a 12 foot dish.
>QUESTION...WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE of a Septum Feed....vs
>whatever the type of feed is called that has the SCALAR ring?
>
>NOT a newbie to EME as we are on 144 MHz(WAS #163)
>and 222 MHz with 4 x 7W M^2 and have 6 initials off the moon...
>and have worked 432 MHz with 4 18 foot Directive System Antennas,
>but now serious about 'movin-on-up' to 1296 and 2304 Mhz.
>Would appreciate any info on one feed vs the other.
>Thanks and 73
>Andy
>
>
>At 03:30 AM 12/17/2011, you wrote:
>>I don't recall who expressly asked for my measurements so I will
>>put here for all:
>>
>>Test equipment:
>>K3 + 15 dB atten* + DEMI 1296-28HP => Bird43(10K element) =>
>>1w, *needed to reduce output to 1w
>>HP432A + 20 dB coaxial atten (10w)
>>
>>I ran approx 2w into the Septum Tx port (NF) to measure isolation
>>at the Rx port (sma-F):
>>1) Reference level adjusted so HP432 reading +10.0 dBm
>>2) Measured = -12 dBm at Rx port, indicating isolation of 22-dB
>>Adjustment of tuning stubs did not affect the isolation.
>>3) Input SWR ~ 1.5 (previous measurement of SWR with 60w on the
>>dish indicated no measurable SWR) so perhaps may be some reflection
>>inside the room?
>>
>>Next I measured insertion loss and isolation of my sma relay used
>>at the Rx port.
>>1) Reference with +30 dBm (1w) indicated on the Bird43. HP432A
>>read +7.8 dBm (22.2 dB atten: combination of cables+adapters+20 dB atten).
>>2) Output thru the relay plus short .141 jumper = +7.7 dBm
>>indicating insertion loss = 0.1 dB**
>>3) Output on unswitched port of the relay with switched port
>>terminated with 5w sma load was unmeasurable on the lowest setting
>>of HP432 implying better than 37.7 dB isolation.
>>
>>I could have run the transverter up to 25w (+43 dBm) to increase
>>range of the reading of the HP meter but figured relay isolation
>>quite adequate for running 300w into the septum. +24.7 dBm -22dB
>>-37.7dB = -34.9 dBm into the preamp.
>>
>>These measurements were taken with septum off the dish inside the
>>house. Once I have the new feed mount bracket constructed and
>>septum reinstalled these measurements will be repeated to determine
>>effects of reflections from the dish. Placing my hand over the
>>mouth of the septum showed increase power reflected into the Rx
>>port showing lessening of isolation a couple dB as expected.
>>
>>**Measurement accuracy probably not better than 0.1 dB.
>>
>>
>>
>>73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
>>======================================
>>BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
>>EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-?
>>DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)gmail.com
>>======================================
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>Microwave mailing list
>>microwave(a)lists.valinet.com
>>http://lists.valinet.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/microwave
>
>
>73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
>======================================
>BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
>EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-QRT, 1296-?, 3400-?
>DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)gmail.com
>======================================
Hi Zdenek and All, your mention of hollow center conductors and water
condensation brought back some bad memories of this problem.
I use LDF5-50A Heliax for long four way power dividers that also serve the
purpose of phasing lines on my 48 X 10-el 2m array. Some of the power
dividers are about 25ft long on each side for a total of about 50ft.
When first installed in 1992, the lower Heliax connectors would fill with
water droplets over a two to three week time period. At first I thought my
sealing job was at fault but eventually it became apparent that the water
was leaking around the screw in center pin from the hollow center conductor
and flooding the connector. Tarnished threads were the give away.
The solution turned out to be easy: the center pin threads were wrapped
with a couple of layers of plumbers teflon tape before screwing them in. Just
as in a plumbing application, the tape sealed the threads and to this day
there have been no further water problems.
So, every Heliax connector with threaded center pins now get this
treatment. Newer connectors with the push on center pins will need a different
solution. I have not tried but it makes some sense to inject silicone sealant
into the center conductor when using the new style connectors.
73,
Gerald K5GW
In a message dated 12/8/2011 3:13:19 P.M. Central Standard Time,
ok1dfc(a)seznam.cz writes:
You did not understood me well Jim, I say seriously that cable is nice!
Many professional application is using that. I was only trying to introduce
new version of our cable which has not empty central conductor which avoid
condensation trough long time installation periods. Otherwise you have to
take more care about checking connectors periodically etc. We still produce
this kind of cable, reason is, that not so many is able pay higher price for
CR cables and FHJ cables are very good usable for many systems. Reason why
we developed CR is, that there is not corrugate surface of outer conductor
and cable has very good SWR due to absence of periodical impedance
exchanging. That is all.
Also my sentence that best cable is cable which is used means that if
anybody will buy offered cable it will be better as have the cable in stock or
so. Nothing worse I did not say.
Regards
Zdenek - OK1DFC
_www.ok1dfc.com_ (http://www.ok1dfc.com/)
QRV EME 432-1296-2320-3400 MHz
WAC 432 - 1296 MHz
QRO - 10m dish
-----Original Message-----
From: moon-net-bounces(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
[mailto:moon-net-bounces@mailman.pe1itr.com]On Behalf Of James M. Walker
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 9:46 PM
To: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com; Dave..W9DCO
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Hi Dave,
I think the phrase that is appropriate is Oh My!!!!!!
I have the coil just sitting there, right next to the
1 Kw 2 meter amplifier, seems my first thought
was the right one. I'm getting too old to argue specifications
with folks. Might find a repeater owner that wants it, there
is always the "scrap alternative.
Tnx and BCNU
Jim
WB2FCN/WD2XSH-22
----- Original Message -----
From: _Dave..W9DCO_ (mailto:gamma7777@aol.com)
To: _chejmw(a)buffalo.edu_ (mailto:chejmw@buffalo.edu) ;
_moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com_ (mailto:moon-net@mailman.pe1itr.com)
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 3:09 PM
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Hi Jim.
Hey, all of us have one speed.Slow...
and the MB gang are mostly poor as
Church Mice....
It takes a while for any of us to figure
out connectors, losses, lengths...
Tnx for trying to help the Gang..
Dave...W9DCO....
BTW..Great Cabinets...but shipping!
-----Original Message-----
From: James M. Walker <_chejmw(a)buffalo.edu_ (mailto:chejmw@buffalo.edu) >
To: OK1DFC <_ok1dfc(a)seznam.cz_ (mailto:ok1dfc@seznam.cz) >; peter blair
<_g3ltf(a)btinternet.com_ (mailto:g3ltf@btinternet.com) >; melum
<melum(a)alaska.net>
Cc: moon-net <moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com>
Sent: Thu, Dec 8, 2011 12:41 pm
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Hi Zdenek,
sorry mate just got a real sweet Idea from Stan, W1LE Cape Cod FN41sr
I will cut it into 2 foot lengths and sell it as scrap copper, no sense
trying to
sell it to anyone who might use it!
Thanks
Jim
WB2FCN
----- Original Message -----
From: OK1DFC
To: James M. Walker ; peter blair ; melum(a)alaska.net
Cc: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 12:54 PM
Subject: RE: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Nice cable Jim, we as a CommScope, previous Andrew producing this cable in
Catawba N.C. Much better, comparing with FHJ cable is CR1070
http://www.ok1dfc.com/eme/10mprojekt/commcable/index.html :-), but as I say, best cable
is cable which you have in your garage or better instaled between Antenna
and PA :-) If anybody need more info about Andrew stuff, let me know.
Zdenek - OK1DFC
www.ok1dfc.com
QRV EME 432-1296-2320-3400 MHz
WAC 432 - 1296 MHz
QRO - 10m dish
-----Original Message-----
From: moon-net-bounces(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
[mailto:moon-net-bounces@mailman.pe1itr.com]On Behalf Of James M. Walker
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 6:22 PM
To: peter blair; melum(a)alaska.net
Cc: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
How about some FHJ5-50A, got a 200 ft roll.
http://eshop1.chem.buffalo.edu/Forsale.html
Jim
WB2FCN
----- Original Message -----
From: peter blair
To: melum(a)alaska.net
Cc: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2011 11:37 AM
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
the center conductor, hot, slowly migrated (perhaps weeks/months) from
centered position, laterally through the polyethylene to short circuit
position on the shield, on the inside of the bend radius,
Been there, done that! 300-400W at 1296 and about an 8" radius on
standard polythene type cable will do it on CW EME use.- I now use PTFE dielectric
cable for jumpers... or FSJ4 heliax.
73 G3LTF
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Barthelow
To: wa4njp(a)bellsouth.net ; moon(a)moonbounce.info ; moon-net(a)nlsa.com ;
melum(a)alaska.net
Cc: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2011 6:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Hi Mike, and group:
I don't know the specific answer to your question, but I have a first hand
tale of RG-8/213/214 cable. to enlighten...
An FM broadcast station in Monterey, in the 1000 watt category, had an
engineer in the local radio club that told the tale, about
RG-8 Class cable, in the FM band, at the TX output, and in a jumper panel.
Two cables, solid polyethylene dielectric, inside the TX building
perhaps 14" long were connected to closely spaced N- Panel jacks, with a rather
tight bend radius. The n Jacks were about 8" apart on the same aluminum
panel. I put my hand on the cables, that had been in 24/7 use on FM radio
at 1000 watts. IRRC, the cable outer jacket was definintely warm, to very
warm to the touch. Earlier cables suffered a catastrophic failure (short
circuit), and were replaced by longer cables, allowing a long bending
radius. Post mortems of the failed cables, showed that the center conductor,
hot, slowly migrated (perhaps weeks/months) from centered position,
laterally through the polyethylene to short circuit position on the shield, on
the inside of the bend radius, and of course, tripped the FM station off the
air.
Kind of like the short jumpers between the two switches in the center
stack of this switch board, only with RG-8 cable :
http://www.ac2c.net/images/Misc/Antenna-Switches_l.jpg
Best Regards,
Pat Barthelow; Echoes of Apollo
____________________________________
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 09:54:19 -0800
From: wa4njp(a)bellsouth.net
To: moon(a)moonbounce.info; moon-net(a)nlsa.com; melum(a)alaska.net
CC: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Subject: Re: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
Mike
It is my opinion that, if it has been working good for you , don't
change.....there are a lot of qualifiers in the creation of the mfg specs...
most don't apply to the operation we use in....There is coax that has a bit
less loss at UHF but $$$ and some unhandy to work with especially if in
short length..
Ray
--- On Wed, 12/7/11, Mike KL6M <melum(a)alaska.net> wrote:
From: Mike KL6M <melum(a)alaska.net>
Subject: [Moon-net] Power handling - RG213 RG214
To: moon(a)moonbounce.info, moon-net(a)nlsa.com
Cc: moon-net(a)mailman.pe1itr.com
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 12:42 PM
QST - experts!
I have been using short sections of RG213 and RG214 for years in relay
boxes and from the heliax to the feed at power levels greater than 1000
watts.
It was just brought to my attention that these coaxes are only
"officially" rated at ~800 watts or less.
Is this really a problem?
73
Mike, KL6M BP51dc http://www.qsl.net/kl6m
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Hi all
Yesterday I spent a very disappointing couple of hours on the moon, with
just one complete qso.
The problem was that although there were some strong signals, some strong
enough for me to hear the tones on a speaker, WSJT failed to decode them. I
knew who I was watching by observing "live cq". I thought it might be
conditions, but all around me successful qso's were taking place.
After a while I gave up and went qrt in disgust, and closed down WSJT. But
in fact I didn't close WSJT. It would not close. It would not close
conventionally and Task Manager would not close it either. And later on,
Windows would not close.
So, clearly I had a computer problem. But there were no error messages, just
that decodes were poor to non-existent.
Anyone seen this before ?
I'm using Windows XP and WSJT 9.02.
Regards
John G4ZTR
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature
database 6756 (20111230) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
Hi John, you might try downloading a copy of WSJT 7 from
_http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/_ (http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/)
and running that for a while. I have been told by others that it seems to
have better performance.
It certainly performs well in my station with no observed problems.
73,
Gerald K5GW
In a message dated 12/31/2011 4:10:45 A.M. Central Standard Time,
john(a)carltonhouse.eclipse.co.uk writes:
Hi all
Yesterday I spent a very disappointing couple of hours on the moon, with
just one complete qso.
The problem was that although there were some strong signals, some strong
enough for me to hear the tones on a speaker, WSJT failed to decode them. I
knew who I was watching by observing "live cq". I thought it might be
conditions, but all around me successful qso's were taking place.
After a while I gave up and went qrt in disgust, and closed down WSJT. But
in fact I didn't close WSJT. It would not close. It would not close
conventionally and Task Manager would not close it either. And later on,
Windows would not close.
So, clearly I had a computer problem. But there were no error messages,
just
that decodes were poor to non-existent.
Anyone seen this before ?
I'm using Windows XP and WSJT 9.02.
Regards
John G4ZTR
__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature
database 6756 (20111230) __________
The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
http://www.eset.com
_______________________________________________
Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at
http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html
Dear Friends
Time to time this topic generate a lot of expectations and different
opinions. I think Les, W2LPL did a quantum leap with his Adaptive
polarization system when he was able to be out of windows XP and run his
complete setup under Windows 7.
Congratulation Les!!! for sure a lot of people will follow you.
After his email informing the great success he reach I had at least a dozen
of emails asking more or less the same points and I decide to answer direct
to the reflector.
The central point is if finally we are able to be out of the glorious
Delta44 and replace with something more reliable under the future versions
of windows. Unfortunate M-audio did a very bad job with his drivers and the
Delta44 under Windows 7 runs very bad with a lot of glitches. Looking from
that perspective I identified 3 audio cards without this kind of problems
under windows 7:
- Maya 44 PCI and PCIe ( the USB version sample only up to 44Khz) very
similar to a Delta44 for half of the price.
- Terratec DMX 6Fire USB (this is really promising card, is USB and sample
up to 192KHz with 114dB S/N) ideal for notebooks and Dx-peditions
- EMU1616 PCIe.(this card have the most power and famous A/D converter, same
as the Flex5000 radio, difficult to configure but I think Les will publish
soon a step by step guide to repeat what he did.
The big advantage of this 3 audio cards are all run under windows 7 without
problems, Les report he found the performance of his EMU1616 PCIe together
with his IQ+ receptor better than the SDR-IQ and MAP65-IQ, at that time Les
was running in single polarization means I expect even better results as
soon he install the preamp and the RX line is missing now.
Now the central question is which audio card I will recommend to match
together with the IQ+?, My answer will be:
Difficult question, the Delta44 still a top card but have a lot of problems
with the drivers and looks like this cards will died together with Windows
XP sP3 means Soon!!!
The MAYA44 PCIe is very cheap and performance is only a little less than the
Delta44, I think a very good option for those with reduce budget, cost
benefic ratio is very good.
The EMU1616 PCIe is the Rolls Royce but until now we don't have enough
reports to considerer the extra price you pay, here in Europe is very
expensive (400 EUR)
The Terratec was tested also by Carsten and he report same performance with
the Delta44, considering the DMX 6Fire is a USB device match perfect for
Notebooks and Dxpeditions, just yesterday I finish my portable JT station,
the computer is a Pavilion dv6 I5 processor with 8GB RAM and solid state
disk OCZ Vertex II, the audio card is a Terratec DMX 6Fire dismantled and
embedded into a IQ+ SE radio (special edition), runs very good and initials
comparison from my side confirm what Carsten found, "no differences with a
Delta44 and time to time better".
To finish: today we have much more options than the Delta44, time is
changing very fast and I think soon we will have even more options, existing
other cards for test like ESI ESU1808, M-audio Fast Track Ultra, M-audio
Fast Track C400 and C600, Native Instruments TRAKTOR Audio 6 and Audio 10,
Steinberg UR28M, Tascam US-800 etc.
All this mention cards have at least 4 inputs and sample someone up to
192KHz, they are all USB devices and prices runs from 100 to 700 USD.
In the mid time the barrier of the Windows XP OS is break, I don't really
care about the OS, I like something works, have the chance to run all in
Windows 7 is really great like I did in a a Notebook, something impossible
just few years ago!!!
A LOT OF OPTIONS.. JUST SELECT WHAT IS THE BEST FOR YOU.
73 de Alex, HB9DRI
The following QSLs were sent today:
K3JYD
RA7A
SM5CUI
PA3FPQ
SM2A
DL1FCI
I am caught up to the best of my knowledge. Still need to send for the
C56EME card, but I am out of stamps at the moment.
Thanks to all for our QSOs and a very Happy New Year !
73 de Bob, W1ICW
