Moon-net May 2011

moon-net@mailman.pe1itr.com

55 participants
72 discussions

by Edward R. Cole

More testing of phasing lines. Previously I wrote: >I have gone thru disconnecting and testing all the phasing lines in >the 2m-eme array: >1) All eight antenna SWR were individually tested at the driven element. >2) SWR from the TR relay to the Hpol antennas shows SWR = 1.2, Z = 52, j12 >I did not disconnect the lines at the 4-way divider as this looks >good (within tolerance of the MFJ analyzer). >3) SWR from the TR relay to the Vpol antennas shows SWR = 1.4, Z = 79, j0 >This required individually testing each phasing line, the 4-way >divider, and ten-foot az-el coax jumper. >I found one phasing line with SWR = 3.9, Z = 116, j120. When I removed the connectors I found the aluminum foil and shield had oxidized indicating water penetration. The new LMR-400 line tested Z = 51 + j0 (with a 51-ohm termination) and about 0.13 dB loss. That is actually better than spec which would expect 0.27 dB loss and may reflect not being able to measure accurately enough using a 70w test signal. BTW since one antenna essentially was not working this probably explains the 10-degree shift in azimuth calibration I saw last winter. > The rest were SWR = 1.0, Z = 52-54, j0 >The 4-way divider with 50-ohm terminations on all ports SWR = 1.1, Z = 59, j0 With one termination on the divider and antennas connected at the ends of the other three phasing lines I see SWR = 1.2, Z = 60, j11. Measuring cable loss with 70w test signal applied in the shack: 1) Loss at the input to my relay matrix is 0.82 dB (58w) 2) Loss thru the relay matrix is .97 dB (56w) 3) Loss at the antenna end of one phasing line is 2.89 dB (9w x4 =36w)! At 1400w this would represent 720w reaching the antennas (ouch). My goal is 1000w at antennas: expected total loss of 1.7 dB (0.68 x 1400 = 947w) That is nearly 2-dB loss for 28-foot of LMR-400 plus the 4-way divider. Should be 0.45 dB. So I will repeat this measurement using the new phasing line I just made, once it is installed, for comparison (should see about 12w as 1/4 of total power). I may have to test loss thru each phasing line and with result of replacing more lines? Eight 18-foot LMR-400 and two 10-foot LMR-400UF. Fortunately, I have a partial reel of LMR-400 and probably 25-feet of LMR-400UF, so it will not require ordering more cable. I am hoping the 4-way dividers have not also gone bad. But on the plus side I may have a much stronger signal (and better hearing) once all is fixed. The last time I measured individual phasing line loss was when the new lines were installed in 1998-2000 and I saw 0.23 to 0.27 dB. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

12 years

N4PZ QRV ASIAN WINDOW.

by Steve Gross-N4PZ

1296.020.CW 73 Steve N4PZ

12 years

N4PZ QRV 1296.020 at 1218 Z.

by Steve Gross-N4PZ

Anyone on? 73 Steve

12 years

Progress Report - 2

by Edward R. Cole

Just an update on work done this weekend: I have gone thru disconnecting and testing all the phasing lines in the 2m-eme array: 1) All eight antenna SWR were individually tested at the driven element. 2) SWR from the TR relay to the Hpol antennas shows SWR = 1.2, Z = 52, j12 I did not disconnect the lines at the 4-way divider as this looks good (within tolerance of the MFJ analyzer). 3) SWR from the TR relay to the Vpol antennas shows SWR = 1.4, Z = 79, j0 This required individually testing each phasing line, the 4-way divider, and ten-foot az-el coax jumper. I found one phasing line with SWR = 3.9, Z = 116, j120. The rest were SWR = 1.0, Z = 52-54, j0 The 4-way divider with 50-ohm terminations on all ports SWR = 1.1, Z = 59, j0 Terminations vary from 51 to 53 ohms. 4) I will check for open/short ckt on the bad phasing line but expect to replace it. The preamp/TR relay enclosure has been completely modified for a cleaner layout. A 2-foot LMR-400UF jumper was eliminated. LMR-600 directly feeds the relay matrix without jumpers. Wiring and mechanical mounts were added for a 60w 1296 amplifier to supply the 45 loop-yagi installed at the center of the 2m-eme array. The amp will temporarily be used for 23cm-eme on the dish but when the 150w amp is ready for installation at the dish, the 60w amp will be transferred over here for terrestrial use. http://www.kl7uw.com/eme144.htm I decided to delay upgrades to the 900-MHz radio until mid-summer when the 1296 amp will be transferred. Left to do is some bracing of the 3-inch cross boom and re-alignment of 2m-XP20 booms; final RF testing at QRO, then the array will be raised and be QRV (est. 2-3 days). ------------------ Remainder of week will be work on the dish getting 1296 QRV with 60w, and installing a new preamp for 432. 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

12 years

No EME net today storms here.

by Steve Gross-N4PZ

Hello All I was unable to operate the EME net today on 14.345 due to severe electrical storms. See you next saturday on 14.345 at 1400 zulu. 73 Steve N4PZ

12 years

Off Topic ..... info by PA2CHR

by Chris, PA2CHR

As I know a lot of EME-ers also run Meteor Scatter I will use this list to announce my next DX-pedition. With the help of very good friends from Italy and Spain I did receive the licence for this year to operate from Andorra, with the callsign: C37MS. Operation will take place between June 3 and 7, 2011 from a QTH in the mountains, loc: JN02UM at 2510 m. asl. This is the first Meteor Scatter operation since 1997 I will be QRV mainly via MS, but this period is also good for Sporadic E. No EME this time because this was done before (C31TLT in 2001 and C37DXU in 2009). Rig: FT847 with FT857 spare Ant: 10el. DJ9BV and 2 x 5el. DK7ZB PA: 3CX800 and HLV600 spare QRG FSK: 144.358 first per. QRG SSB: 144.318 when we have a Sporadic E opening MS is stopped. I will use two receivers with separate antenna's to monitor ES activity and calling stations from different directions. This will be an operation from my car with generator power. Andorra has mountains all around so it is difficult for VHF work but I hope to work as much stations as possible; C3 is number 6 on the most wanted DXCC's list. Best 73's, Chris, PA2CHR

12 years

Checking In!!! KG7A

by heartbeatdrums＠cox.net

Just checking in to moon net since I was on vacation. Tnx es 73, Ronny / KG7A

12 years

2011 EME Meeting in Sweden

by rein0zn＠ix.netcom.com

Hi All, There have been some questions and remarks about the EME meeting in Oerobro, Sweden, 13 - 15 May 15, 2011. A simple Google search delivers this: http://www.sm4ive.com/ememeetingmay.htm http://moonbouncers.org/ http://www.g4bao.com/ Though not a complete report on the meeting, it provides some info as visitors, NF for pre-amps and more. I for one wished, I had been there. 73 Rein W6SZ

12 years

Re: [Moon-net] eme newsletter , pages corrupted? A request pse Follow up

by rein0zn＠ix.netcom.com

Hello All, The problem seems to be with .txt and .pdf files in WIN7 ( plus Google Chrome perhaps not sure at this point) Thanks to info provided by Marc,N2UO and Dan, W9EQ. More info to follow I hope. I am at a loss to be honest about the problem, ( XP user and just Google user, no Chrome installed ) Again, please reports, observations Direct. 73 Rein W6SZ -----Original Message----- >From: rein0zn(a)ix.netcom.com >Sent: May 27, 2011 11:41 PM >To: moon-net(a)nlsa.com >Cc: a.katz(a)ieee.org >Subject: [Moon-net] eme newsletter one more time, pages corrupted? A request pse > >Hello All, > >Today I received a complaint about this page > >http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/NLD/eme1105.pdf > >or this one > >http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/em70cm_m.html > >producing pop-ups or worse. > >Please contact me DIRECT ( off reflector ) with details what is showing >if possible, source, page source code, etc, when loading this page or any other one of my stuff. >If it happens and if it is happening each time you click the URL in your >browser. > > >73 Rein W6SZ >_______________________________________________ >Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html >

12 years

Re: [Moon-net] [Moon] EME NL ????????????????????????????

by Barry VE4MA

Hello Don, Lars & All, I think you are over-reacting to the unfortunate omission of the detailed account of the SM conference from the NL. Putting the NL together is a major task, with a tremendous amount of input material from many sources including emails. Sometimes things get lost.....Please resubmit to Al and I am sure he will catch it in the next NL. I am sure we all look forward to seeing Peter's report ...has it been posted somewhere? Best 73 Barry VE4MA -----Original Message----- From: moon-bounces(a)moonbounce.info [mailto:moon-bounces@moonbounce.info] On Behalf Of Dominique Fässler HB9BBD Sent: Friday, May 27, 2011 4:52 PM To: rein0zn(a)ix.netcom.com; sm4ive(a)telia.com; moon(a)moonbounce.info Subject: Re: [Moon] EME NL ???????????????????????????? Shame on the yankish censourship of EME news properly sent and spread. I think by this way, things will fall apart and we organize EME the European way now. Finished with this unacceptable way of handling information. It is just enough what we see coming across the pond. 73 HB9BBD -----Original Message----- From: moon-bounces(a)moonbounce.info [mailto:moon-bounces@moonbounce.info] On Behalf Of rein0zn(a)ix.netcom.com Sent: Freitag, 27. Mai 2011 20:37 To: sm4ive(a)telia.com; moon(a)moonbounce.info Subject: Re: [Moon] EME NL ???????????????????????????? Hello Lars, Please look at this at the end of the newsletter: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SM CW EME CONFERENCE There was an EME Conference organized by SM4IVE on the weekend of 14/15 May. I do not have a lot of information. I think it was intended to be an SM only event, but there were 3 Gs, a GM, 2 ONs and a PA present. The rest of around 20 people were SMs. The focus was on how to increase CW activity on EME. Please keep the reports and technical material coming. I will be looking for all of you during the May 70 cm CW ATP, and on 23 cm during the DUBUS Contest weekend in June. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Note by W6SZ: I clearly states that K2UYH did not have a lot of info on the meeting. Remmber Al Kats does not read the moon-net and moon info pages. I think accusing Al katz of some form of discrimination is totally incorrect. Did you inform him on the meeting and the details? ( I knew about it from your messages on moon-info ) 73 Rein W6SZ

12 years

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Moon-net May 2011