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432 AND ABOVE EME NEWS

FEBRUARY 2019 VOL 48 #2


EDITOR: AL KATZ, K2UYH; DEPT. ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER ENGINEERING, THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, PO BOX 7718
EWING, NJ 08628, TEL (W 609-584-8424), (C 609-047-3889), E-MAIL alkatz(x)tcnj.edu
ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND REFLECTOR/NETNEWS MATEJ PETRZILKA, SIMUNKOVA 1609/21, 18200, PRAHA 8, CZECH
REPUBLIC, TEL (+420 603 489 490), E-MAIL ok1teh(x)seznam.cz
CW INITIAL LIST G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY, E-MAIL zen70432(x)zen.co.uk, AT: http://www.zen70432.zen.co.uk/Initials/index.html
SUN & EXTRATERRESTRIAL NOISE LIST MANAGED BY OK1TEH: http://www.ok2kkw.com/next/nl_k2uyh/sun_table.xls
EME INFORMAL NETS: 14.345, ~1500 SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, NET COORDINATOR: OPEN
ON0EME EME BEACON, 1296.000 IS QRV WHEN MOON >10°, SEND RX REPORTS TO WALTER (ON4BCB) on4bcb(x)gmail.com
DL0SHF 3 CM EME BEACON, 10368.025, SEND INFO & QUESTIONS TO PER (DK7LJ) per(x)per-dudek.de.
NL EMAIL DISTRIBUTION and EMAIL LIST CORD: WARREN, W2WD wbutler(x)ieee.org [PDF]
THE NL WEB VERSION IS PRODUCED BY REIN, W6SZ rein0zn(x)gmail.com, AT http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/em70cm.html

CONDITIONS: Jan is normally not the best month for EME. band entries. For the full story see URL-link at the end of
At least in the northern hemisphere the weather (WX) can this NL.
get pretty terrible. This year was no exception. Despite the
WX, the 1296 EME SSB Funtest was a great success. 9K2YM: Yaser 9k2ym@9k2ym.co is now QRV from Kuwait
OK2DL achieved a phenomenal score of 1,328 points on 432 with 4 yagis and 30 W at the feed from an FT847,
and worked 45 stations! The 13 cm EME SSB contest did but is preparing a new higher power PA. He has already
not do as well. The top fun maker was SP6OPN (SP6JLW QSO’d DK3WG, DL7APV, OK1KIR and others.
team) with 40 points. The results of the 9 cm Microwave
Activity Weekend (MAW) on 18/19 Jan are also reported in
this newsletter (NL). The first DUBUS EME Contest of
2019 for 70 cm (and 2 m) is on 16/17 Feb. It will be
followed on 16/17 March by the 13 cm contest. There is no
70 cm CW Activity Time Period (ATP) in Feb because of
the 70 cm DUBUS Contest. There is very little dxpedition
news for this month. The T46MB dxpedition to Cuba was
delay again. We are not sure when they will try again.
9K2YM showed up on 70 cm from Kuwait and is expected
to be regularly QRV – see Yaser’s report in this NL. EA9LZ
(Ceuta) is expected to be QRV on 70 cm between 15 and
19 March. TO2MB (Martiniqua) is expected to be active
between 15 and 24 March on 432 and 1296 – see
dxpedition info in the last NL. SV9 is planned to be QRV
around 10 - 17 May on 23 to 3 cm.

Flash: The OZ 13 cm band has been moved from 2300 9K2YM 4 yagi 70 cm array
- 2400 to 2400 – 2450 – see FINAL section of this NL.
DK3WG: Jurg dk3wg@web.de reports on his recent
2018 ARRL EME CONTEST RESULTS have already been activity – I worked on 70 cm using JT65B BD9BU for grid
posted – Thanks to the absolutely superb work of K1DS. square 600, R6CS, 9K2YM for DXCC 137 and 4X1AJ; and
The top overall score was again achieved by UA3PTW on 23 cm using JT65C HB0/HB9DBM, ES3RF, ON4QQ,
with 6.75 mil points for all modes and bands. What is VK2FLR and W1XM, and using CW VK4AFL.
most impressive is that Dmitry’s result was achieved single
op and is nearly doubles next highest (multi-op) score of 3.4 DL0SHF: Christoph (DF9CY) df9cy@web.de writes on
mil by [my] K2UYH team (NE2U, K2TXB, K2YY and recent his EME activity from DL0SHF -- We managed to
W2HRO), closely followed by the NC1I team (N1DPM, install a remote control to the Flex Radio driving the 23 cm
W1QA and W9JJ) with 3.36 mil. The top overall CW score system just before the SSB Funtest weekend. I was thus
(single op) was by G3LTF 983 k; the overall multi-op CW able to make some QSOs; however, for the time being, it is
score was by the SP6JLW team with 562 k. The top 70 cm only possible to operate CW. Hopefully, we get things going
score was by DL7APV with 916 k all mode. The top 70 cm on SSB and JT65 soon. The problem are long latency
CW score was by I2FHW (single op) with 49 k. S59DGO times, which additionally seem to be changing rapidly. This
made 90 k all mode multi-op. On 23 cm the top score all may be a major task to overcome. For the first time by
mode was 705 k by OK1DFC (single op). SM4IVE achieve remote, I worked on 1296, on 18 Jan using CW RA2FGG,
the top CW score of 447 k (single op). IK5VLS had the top SP6ITF, IK1FJI, RN6MA, K5DN, SP6ITF (again), DF2GB,
all mode multi op score of 313 k. On 13 cm the top single IK1FJI (again) and on 19 Jan ON5GS, DL3EBJ (CW/SSB),
band entry was the OK1KIR group (multi-op) with 70.4 k. SP7VC (CW/SSB), OK2DL (CW/SSB), SM4GGC
On 3 cm OZ1LRP was the top scorer all mode (single op) (CW/SSB) and DL6SH. The ON0EME beacon was very
with 37.8 k. The N9JIM (Stanford club) submitted the top strong from time to time peaking up to 25 dB out of the
multi-op score of 9.9 k. The were no other 432 up single noise. I saw a lot of JT65C signals over a 30 kHz bandwidth,
but my computer constantly resisted accept the AF signal was 20 min away from my QTH by car, and on rented
for to be fed into WSJT-X. ground. The annual cost of approx $6000 did not seem
worth my 100 or so QSOs per year. On top of the cost, I
DL3EBJ: Chris dl3ebj@t-online.de was QRV for the 1296 had to perform many weeks of maintenance, and replace
SSB Funtest on 20 Jan -- I worked 29 2-way SSB stations: failed components. I just did not want my kids to get the
OK2DL, G3LTF, I1NDP, DL6SH, OK2ULQ, HB9Q, SP7VC, burden of removing all the stuff once I am gone. Nobody
ON5GS, M0DTS, PA3CSG, LX1DB, SV3AAF, IK1FJI, was interested either in the dish site including the rig and
DF3RU, IK3COJ, SM6CKU, SP5GDM, I0NAA, RA3EC, amplifiers, nor the dish. The amplifiers went to a young and
XE1XA, OZ4MM, VE6TA, VE6BGT, OK1KIR, PI9CAM, enthusiastic German amateur for free; the tower to Dan and
OH2DG, OK1CS, OZ6OL and VK5MC; and 2 stations in the dish to the scrapyard. I had a tremendous time on 23
SSB/CW mode: SM4GGC and DL0SHF from 9 sectors (JO, cm. Now it is good to have it come to an end. 10 GHz offers
JN, IO, KM, KO, EK, DO, KP and QF) for a total of me more fun. I can operate from home. This is new situation
(30x2+2)x 9 = 540 points. Most QSOs were worked after and a very comfortable one.
CQs. Condition were good with most signals easy to copy.
My station consisted of a 4.8 m dish and 500 W on TX. I0NAA: Mario mario.natali@gmail.com writes about his
Funtest activity on 1296 and Pulsars -- I was able to be
DL7APV: Bernd dl7apv@gmx.de fills us in on his Jan 432 active only during the first Moon pass on 19 Jan. Rain and
activity -- The new array still works excellent; I have around winds made operation impossible during my later window.
22 dB Sun noise all the time. I will try some more pulsar Anyway, it was a lot of fun. I had to find and use my old
receiving soon. During the Christmas holidays there were headset from the 70’s, which brought back memories of the
just too many important distractions - Hi. I worked in Jan pioneering spirit of that time. SSB on EME is definitely not
about 40 stations. 8 were initials: DM3CK with 1 yagi and easy. After the contest, I started thinking of ways to move
50 W, NT0V, 9K2YM, TM66BL, BH4PVP (OM95) using a my PA closer to the antenna to make better use of my 250
10 turn helical and 20 W, 4X1AJ, F6KBF and UA0ZGX W PA. I QSO’d, all on 2-way SSB, starting at 1927 I1NDP
(QO93) with an 18 el (V pol) yagi and 20 W. I again worked (59/57), HB9Q (59/55), DL6SH (57/56), DF3RU (55/56),
MX0CNS with his dipole (27DB/23DB)! OK2DL (58/55), LX1DB (58/56), SM6CKU (57/55), DL3EBJ
(55/54), G3LTF (57/55) and at 2230 RA3EC (54/55) for a
G3LTF: Peter g3ltf@btinternet.com reports that EME in total score of (10x2)x4 = 80 points. My Pulsar activity is
Jan slowed a bit and that he operated mainly on 3400 progressing well. My count is now up to #9; and my plan is
except for the Funtest – I QSO’d on 2320 on 18 Jan during to reach #20. This may require moving to 1400 MHz. I am
the 13 cm SSB competition SP6OPN JO, OH2DG KP, struggling to defeat RFI that has increased dramatically due
HB9Q JN and LX1DB JN; all on 2-way SSB for a score of to military activity (radars). It is very difficult to use the full
(4x2) x 3 = 24 points. I also heard SP3XBO, and worked on bandwidth of Ettus B200. I released the version 9.1.0 of
19 Jan KL6M on 2-way CW as Mike had no SSB Murmur that includes several tools for observation
transceiver available. Conditions were good but activity was planning. I am working to include a radiometer in the
very low. I suspect due to the bad WX in both EU and NA. program to allow fine tuning of antenna pointing, which
On 19 Jan on 1296, I worked on CW RN6MA; then in the seems to be on the right track.
Funtest on 2-way SSB I1NDP JN, DL6SH JN, DL3EBJ JN,
PA3CSG JO, OK2DL JN, OK2ULQ JN, IK1FJI JN, M0DTS I1NDP: Nando i1ndp.nando@gmail.com reports on his
IO for initial #467, ON5GS JO, DF3RU JN, I0NAA JN #468, 1296 SSB Funtest results – I found very good conditions,
RA3EC KO, SP7VC JO #469, SM6CKU JO, HB9Q JN, but not many stations on the band. It would have been nice
SM4GGC JO CW/SSB, DF2GB JN, WX4F EM #470, to have more US stations, but it was fun anyway. I worked
XE1XA EK, and on 20 Jan but just after the Funtest ended all on 2-way SSB unless noted starting on 19 June at 1902
OZ4MM JO. I also copied SV3AAF (57) but he could not G3LTF (57/58) IO, OK2DL (59/59) JN, DL3EBJ (56/58) JO,
hear me. My score was (18x2 + 1) x 6 = 222 points. There SM4GGC (55/56) JO, DL6SH (59/59) JN, PA3CSG (57/57)
were again good conditions but activity was low for the JO, SP7VC (57/59) JO, HB9Q (59/59) JN, OK2ULQ (57/59)
same reasons as on 13 cm. The weather was once more JN, I0NAA (57/59) JN, DF3RU (58/58) JN, M0DTS (57/54)
poor with wind and rain for the 9 cm AW. I was also IO, RN6MA (55/56) LN, SV3AAF (58/59) KM, IK3COJ
suffering from a cold, and so was only on for a short time. (57/58) JN, IK1FJI (57/57) JN, IK5VLS (55/59) JN, G4RGK
On 23 Jan I worked OZ6OL and SM6PGP and heard (55/55) IO, SP5GDM (56/57) KO, SM6CKU (58/58) JO,
SA6BUN and KL6M. I tested with G4BAO. John heard me, OK1KIR (59/58) JN, ON5GS (56/57) JO, ON7FLY (43/57)
but I could not resolve his CW. We were close. My only JO, RA3EC (57/58) KO, SM6PGP (55/55) JO, DF2GB
other 1296 QSO was on 14 Jan with SM6CKU, who had a (55/56) JN, DJ2DY (54/54) JN, WX4F (55/57) EM, XE1XA
big signal. (57/54) EK, WA9FWD (57/44) EN, VE4SA (55/53) EN,
OZ4MM (58/57) JO, VA7MM (559/55) CN SSB-CW,
HB9BBD: Dominique dfaessler@bluewin.ch sends PA2DW (54/54) JO, VE6BGT (57/57) DO, VE6TA (57/57)
information on his current EME plans and why he left 23 for DO, EI2FG (54/33) IO, and ending on 20 Jan at 0217
3 cm – My 10 m dish was not lost in a storm. It was LU1CGB (569/55) GF SSB-CW for a total score of (36x2+2)
dismantled on my decision. For 20 years it did a nice job on x 12 = 888 points.
1296. I probably worked everyone there was to work on
CW/SSB. When digital took over on 23 cm, I lost interest IK1FJI: Valter valter_dls@yahoo.it had fun on 23 cm SSB
because computer work is not my EME hobby. The station in Jan – Before the contest, I worked on 23 cm using CW
or SSB as noted on 13 Jan SM6CKU (579/579), JA4BLC: Yoshiro ja4blc@web-sanin.co.jp reports on 3 cm
SM4GGC (549/559) and I1NDP (589/589), and on 17 Jan in JA – In Dec, I repaired my 10 GHz transverter for use
SM6CKU (56/55) on SSB, on 18 Jan DL0SHF with 2.4 m offset dish, and worked JA6XED and JA1WQF
(579/569), RN6MA (569/449) for an initial (#113), DL0SHF successfully. My 2.4 m offset dish has a good window
(589/579), WA9FWD (569/559) and NC1I (579/579), and toward east. I am expecting to work more NA stations
on 19 Jan IK5QLO (559/539) and PA3CSG (559/569). I having RX on 10450. PSE email if you are interested in
was QRV for the Funtest some hours and worked on SSB skeds.
OK2DL (55/56) JN, G3LTF (55/55) IO, HB9Q (57/56) JN,
ON5GS (54/44), I1NDP (57/57) JN, DL3EBJ (55/55) JO, K5QE: Marshall k5qe@k5qe.com was again active in a big
LX1DB (57/57) JN, OK1KIR (56/55), PI9CAM (56/57) JO way (16 yagis and 1 kW) on 432 EME during the ARRL Jan
and DL6SH (56/58) JO for a total of 10x2x3 = 54 points. Tropo Contest that occurred the same weekend as the SSB
Last year I think I worked 21 stations, so I missed some or Funtests, on 19/20 Jan. Unfortunately, Marshall’s
there was less activity this time. I heard OZ4MM and announcement missed the Jan NL. I have not received a
SV3AAF on SSB. I also worked on CW on 20 Jan WX4F report on his results, but I have heard that he did quite well
(569/559) (#113), VA7MM (539/549) (#114), PI9CAM this year.
(579/579) and RA2FGG (439/559) (#115), on 21 Jan
G4CCH (579/579), and on 22 Jan PA3FXB (549/559) and N4PZ: Steve n4pz@live.com has his 13 cm 300 W SSPA
SP6ITF (579/579). I also QSO’d some stations using working again -- I have successfully replaced the original
JT65C. Now after repair, I have full power (850 W) from my MRF19125 mosfets with 3 MRF 21125s in my 13 cm amp.
PA and used my 3.2 m dish. With a bit of luck and warm WX, I should be back on 13 cm
soon.
IW2FZR: Dario dario.fzr@gmail.com sends for the NL the
story of his 3 cm operation -- Last year I started to build a N5BF: Courtney’s courtney.duncan.n5bf@gmail.com Jan
"small" system for 3 cm with which I expected to have to EME report – I was QRV again on 23 cm EME on 14 Dec
operate using the new digital modes. It is a 1.8 m prime with a DEMW LNA. It works fine but is lower gain than the
focus (old TV sat antenna) and a 20 W TWT. I had many system was set up for, so adjustments were needed. I
problems to solve such as tracking, RF switching at the made some test QSOs using JT65C, including an initial
feed and LO stability – very important for digital operation. with RN6MA for mixed #142 in a short window; and was
In Dec, I made my first QSOs on 3 cm with UR5LX followed successful despite some computer configuration problems
by S57RA, [both on QRA64D?]. I have more work to do. I on my end. However, on 3 Jan, I blew out this LNA trying to
need a better NF. My EME station is 25 km from my house check into a local 23 cm net. Ultimately, I discovered a flaw
and not easy to get to in the evening; so much of my work in my T/R switching. I neglected to put in both insulating
is done at home. I want to thank ON4BCB, OZ1LPR and washers, so the FET was intermittently shorting 28 V to
OZ1FF for their help getting me started on 3 cm. And to chassis resulting in chassis pits. Eventually it burned out,
Sergey and Pavel for my first QSOs on Christmas' eve - a welding itself to the 28 V supply lug in the process. This,
much appreciated gift! again, left the LNA protection relay switched in and the LNA
powered during transmit. I repaired this error; this time with
fuses so that the next failure will be a blown fuse, not the
LNA. Meanwhile the new Kuhne LNA arrived, so it is now
installed. Everything is working properly and I plan to be on
for the Funtest this weekend. I also plan to use this
opportunity to learn more about LNAs by repairing some of
the broken ones, so my to do list is, as always, longer than
before.

NC1I: Frank frank@NC1I.COM sends news of his Dec


activity -- Due to conflicts, I do not expect to be active much
in Jan or Feb. What little time I have, will likely be spent on
1296. As of the time of this report (on 17 Jan), we are
expecting a severe winter storm over the upcoming
weekend. Forecasters are predicting 12” of heavy wet snow
followed by significant icing, followed by near gale force
winds. That is obviously the worst possible combination of
conditions for antenna survival. I am most worried about my
dish, but if the weather forecast holds up I will also be
concerned about my 432 array and HF antennas. Hopefully
the forecasts are inaccurate! [MA got hit pretty hard, but I
have not heard of any significant damage from Frank]. My
activity in Dec was limited and with the best conditions
aligning with the holidays activity and was thus way down.
IW2FZR’s 1.8 m dish used on 3 cm with 20 W TWT I worked on 1296 using JT65C on 19 Dec K7CA, on 20 Dec
DJ2DY and RN6MA, and on 22 Dec W1PV. I QSO’d on 432
using JT65B on 20 Dec PA2V and DK1KW, on 22 Dec (559/55) JN SSB-CW. My station consists of a 6 m dish, an
KF8MY, and on 23 December G3HKS. 800 W at the feed SSPA, 0.1 dB LNA, DB6NT TRV and K3.

OK1KIR: Vlada’s and Tonna’s vlada.masek@volny.cz OK2ULQ: Peter ok2ulq@seznam.cz wrote on his blog
group report on Jan EME -- During SSB Funtest weekend, http://ok2ulq.blogspot.com -- I started the New Year with
we were first active on 70 cm and worked with JT65B on 19 participation in the 1296 SSB Funtest and made 10 SSB
Jan at 1456 UB4UAA (21DB/O) for digital initial {#229}, Contacts on 23 cm in only 3 hours. It was big pleasure to
1541 BD9BU (22DB/21DB) {#230}, 1605 ON4CGX say hello in Czech to OK2DL, OK1KIR and DL6SH followed
(24DB/17DB) {#231}, 1617 PA3DOL (19DB/19DB), {#232}, by HB9Q, LX1DB, G3LTF, I1NDP, SM6CKU, DL3EBJ and
1631 OK2AQ (30DB/22DB), 4X1AJ (27DB/23DB) {#233}, DF3RU all on 2-way SSB. My score was (10x2) x 3 for 60
1714 9K2YM (25DB/O) {#234} for first 9K-OK 70 cm QSO points. [TNX to OK1TEH for the translation].
and 1740 again 9K2YM (25DB/O). We then switched to 23
cm to work using JT65C on 19 Jan at 1947 RT6DH ON5GS: Dirk dirk.reyners@telenet.be was QRV in the
(21DB/O) for digital initial {#323}, 1959 ON4QQ (5DB/O), 1296 SSB Funtest – I used a 6 m dish with 200 W, G4DDK
DL1RPL (10DB/18DB) {#324} and 2339 R4HCZ LNA to an FT736R from (JO21sc). All QSOs were 2-way
(7DB/10DB), and on 20 Jan at 0055 VA7MM (1DB/9DB) SSB. I contacted on 19 Jan at 1914 OK2DL (57/59) JO,
and 0105 ON5GS (1DB/O). We worked using SSB unless 1921 DL6SH (56/58) JN, 1929 HB9Q (55/59) JN, 1937
noted on 19 Jan at 2048 OK2DL (59/59), 2051 OK2ULQ PA3CSG (44/55) JO, 1941 DF3RU (55/55) JN, 1946
(55/57), 2054 I1NDP (58/59) and 2339 RA2FGG (549/579) DL3EBJ (55/55) JO, 1955 IK1FJI (54/55) JN,2013 LX1DB
on CW for initial #440, on 20 Jan at 0035 WX4F (569/559) (57/59) JN, 2031 SM6CKU (55/57) JO, 2110 I1NDP
on CW #441, 0110 ON5GS (54/57), 0114 IK1FJI( 55/56), (56/57) JN, 2124 G3LTF (55/56) IO and 2340 RA3EC
0121 RA3EC (54/57), 1728 PI9CAM (58/58), 1808 (55/55) KO, and 20 Jan at 0033 OZ4MM (55/55) JO,
SM6CKU (58/57), 1821 DL6SH (589/589) on CW and 1836 0058 XE1XA (41/54) EK, 0113 OK1KIR (54/57) JN, 0142
DL6SH (58/57) for a Funtest total of (9x2) x 3 = 54 points. PA2DW (52/55) JO and 1811 PI9CAM (57/57) JO for a total
We had no success using JT65C during our 20 Jan, 23 cm score of (17x2) x 5 = 170 points.
sked with ZL2MQ.
PA2DW: Dick qtc@kpnmail.nl reports that in the ARRL
OK1TEH: Matej ok1tehlist@seznam.cz was QRV on 70 cm EME Contest he ended up with 27 CW QSOs on 1296 -- I
EME with his 1 yagi in Jan -- I worked S51LF (29D/29DB), feel sorry I did not submit my log. It was an all-time record
PY2BS (28DB/28DB) and PI9CAM (20DB/11DB). I am for my small setup, probably due to the good conditions and
looking for skeds with new stations and will be QRV around most definitely to the superb CW activity. I also made 5 JT
Perigee in Feb and March – especially during the 432 QSOs. My rig was a 2.4 m dish, 500 W SSPA, G4DDK LNA
DUBUS Contest. and K3 with TR1296H.

OK2DL: Marek ok2dl@seznam.cz sends his log for the PI9CAM: Dick (PA2DW) qtc@kpnmail.nl has sent in the
1296 SSB Funtest – In the competition, I worked 45 station 1296 Funtest logs from the Dwingeloo 25 m dish -– We
in 16 sectors. 38 were worked on SSB and 7 were on SSB- were only QRV limited time toward the end of the event, but
CW for a contest score of (38x2+7) x 16 = 1,328. I QSO’d many some nice EME SSB QSOs. All contest QSOs were
on SSB unless noted on 19 Jan 1902 DL3EBJ (59/59) JO, 2-way SSB, although we did make contacts on other modes
1903, I1NDP (59/59) JN, 1907 SP7VC (55/59) JO, 1908 outside of the contest. We worked on 20 Jan at 1648
DL6SH (58/59) JN, 1909 OK2ULQ (57/59) JN, 1915 OZ4MM (59/59) JO, 1651 RN6MA (55/55) LN, 1659 DL6SH
ON5GS (57/59) JO, 1916 G3LTF (59/59) IO, 1918 IK1FJI (59/59) JN, 1701 OK2DL (59/59) JN, 1703 OK1CS (58/58)
57/56) JN, 1920 PA3CSG (58/58) JO, 1925 SM4GGC JO, 1705 OH2DG (59/55) KP, 1708 SM4GGC (55/56) JO,
(559/55) JO SSB-CW, 1930 RN6MA (55/57) LO, 1935 1711 SM6CKU (57/58) JO, 1719 DL3EBJ (58/57) JO, 1731
DJ2DY (53/55) JN, 1937 DF3RU (59/59) JN, 1940, OK1KIR (58/58) JN, 1736 PA0PLY (51/55) JO, 1740
SV3AAF (59/59) KM, 1945 M0DTS (55/54) IO, 1955 HB9Q DF3RU (59/56) JN, 1759 OZ6OL (57/56) JO, 1805 VK5MC
(59/58) JN, 2001 I0NAA (55/58) JN, 2017 RA2FGG (56/57) QF, 1808 ON5GS (57/57) JO, 1836 IK1FJI (56/57)
(559/55) KO SSB-CW, 2019 LX1DB (59/59) JN, 2021 JN, 1839 IK3COJ (58/58) JN and 1852 LA3EQ (55/55) JO
IK3COJ 58/58) JN, 2028 SP5GDM (53/57) KO, 2031 for a total of 18x2x5 = 180 points. We were running our
IK5VLS (55/53) JN, 2048 OK1KIR (59/59) JN, 2107 normal 120 W at the big dish’s feed.
SM6CKU (58/58) JO, 2123 DF2GB (55/55) JN, 2201
RA3EC (57/58) KO, 2238 DL0SHF (59/599) JO SSB-CW SM4GGC: Stig sm4ggc@gmail.com operated the 1296
and 2302 WX4F (55/53) EM, on 20 Jan at 0003 VE4SA SSB Funtest -- I wanted to see what it was possible to work
(55/55) EO, 0015 XE1XA (53/56) EK, 0021 OZ4MM (57/57) with a QRP station on SSB. I have a 3 m dish and 250 W
JO, 0031 WA9FWD (58/54) EN, 0401 VA7MM (559/57) CN at feed. I worked 5 stations on 2-way SSB:
SSB-CW, 0405 VE6TA (57/57) DO, 0408 VE6BGT (58/57) I1NDP, HB9Q, OZ4MM, PI9CAM and SM6CKU. I also
DO, 0447 K5DN (57/57) EL, 1604 OH2DG (58/58) KP, QSO’d on CW/SSB6 stations: OK2DL, DL6SH, DL3EBJ,
1628 VK4AFL (559/56) QG SSB-CW, 1702 PI9CAM G3LTF, DL0SHF and LX1DB for a total of 11 stations
(59/59)JO, 1706 OZ6OL (58/57) JO, 1708 OK1CS (58/59) (2x5+6)1 in 3 fields = 48 points. The smallest station
JO, 1722 G4FQI (54/42) IO, 1755 PA0PLY (559/55) JO worked DL3EBJ with 4.8 m dish and 500 W. I was QRV
SSB-CW, 1800 VK5MC (55/55) QF and 1836 DF2VJ about 4 hours on Saturday evening and 3 hours on Sunday
to the end of the contest. Most of my time was spent SP6OPN: Jacek (SP6OPN) reports on activity by the
listing for stations. SP6JLW group (SP6OPN, SP6JLW and SQ6OPG) during
the 13 cm SSB Funtest – We decided to operate only on 13
SM7THS: Sverker sm7ths@live.se writes that not much of cm this year because of the very cold temperatures during
EME interest had happened since Christmas until the the contest weekend. Despite the WX, the EME conditions
weekend of 19/20 Jan when there was some very excellent on 13 cm were excellent. Our echoes were (59) on SSB.
Moon propagation -- I worked BD9BU for the first BY-SM However, there were only a few stations QRV. We believe
70 cm QSO. I also added 7 initials. Several of them were that we worked everyone on, which was only 5 stations. We
with single long yagi stations. All contacts were using QSO’d on 18 Jan at 1808 OH2DG (55/58) KP, 1809 G3LTF
JT65B. My best QSO was with MM0GYX. Ian was using a (57/58) IO, 1953 HB9Q (59/58) JN, 1958 LX1DB (58/57) JN
single 15 el yagi and 100 W, and amazingly was quite easy and 2004 SP3XBO (54/55) JO. All QSOs were 2-way SSB
to work. I hrd him (26DB). [TNX to OK1TEH for forwarding for a score of (5x2) x 4 = 40 points. We used our 6.5 m dish,
Sverker’s report from his blog: http://sm7ths.blogspot.com]. 1.5 kW SSPA (16 X MRF21125) and DG0VE LNA.

UA0ZGX: Nikolay ua0zgx@mail.ru made his first 70 cm


EME QSO using JT65B with DL7APV (18DB/25DB). He is
using a single 18 el yagi on vert pol V with only 20 W. [TNX
to DK3WG for forwarding this report].

UA3PTW: Dmitry ua3ptw@inbox.ru is to be congratulated


for achieving the top score in the ARRL EME Contest; his
report on recent initials follows – I added on 432 using
JT65B 4X1AJ, DM3MS, IK3VZO and GM0HBK; and on
1296 using JT65C HB0/HB9DBM, ON4QQ, UD2F,
DL1RME, DL7AIG, ZL3DXT, SK0CT, 0DM3MS and
UA6AJS. [TNX to DK3WG for forwarding this report].

SM7THS’s 8 x 14 el (vert) yagis in the snow UR3EE: Arthur ur3ee@i.ua in Jan added on 432 QSOs
using JT65B with UB4UAA, SM7THS, PA3DOL, PA2V,
SP5GDM: Jan sp5gdm@wp.eu has submitted his log for JA6AHB and DL2HWA. He is using a single 70 cm long
the 1296 SSB Funtest. He uses a 3.7 m dish with DFC yagi inside a 2 m 4 yagi array. [TNX to DK3WG for
septum feed, 500 W SSPA and 0.25 dB DDK VLNA. He forwarding this report].
worked all on 2-way SSB on 19 Jan at 2020 I1NDP (57/56)
JN, 2027 OK2DL (57/53) JN, 2101 DL3EBJ (56/54) JO, VA7MM: Mark (VE7CMK) and Toby (VE7CNF)
2106 DL3RU (56/54) JN and 2140 HB9Q (57/52) JN for a va7mm@rac.ca were active during the 1296 SSB EME
score of (5x2) x 2 = 20 points. Funtest -- We made two contest contacts counting on 20
Jan at 0250 I1NDP (54/55) JN on SSB and 0358 OK2DL
(559/57) JN CW-SSB for a score of only (2+1) x 1 = 3
points. We made other random CW and digital QSOs with
OK1KIR, K7CA for a mixed initial, DL3EBJ, ON5GS,
IK1FJI, PA2DW, VE6TA, LU1CGB and K5DOG. We’re
planning to operate next in the DUBUS 1296 EME contest
in April and are otherwise available for scheduled contacts
via email.

VE3KRP: Fast Eddie eddie@tbaytel.net had WX problems


in Jan -- I spoke too soon about lending out my snowblower.
We had over 50 cm of snow with freezing rain and ice
forming all over. So, activity has been nil here. I need to
snow blow a path to the dish to untie it and see if it is still
operational. I hear a cold snap is on the way. Sorry but so
SP5GDM 3.7 m dish used in 1296 Funtest far, it has not been a winter for EME fun!
SP7VC: Mek sp7vc@wp.pl was QRV in the SSB Funtest VE6BGT: Skip macaulay.skip@gmail.com reports on his
on 1296 – I worked using SSB unless noted on 20 Jan at Nov, Dec and Jan activity: I had a great time during the last
1906 OK2DL (59/55) JN, 1920 I1NDP (59/59) JN, part of the ARRL EME Contest on 1296. I made a few more
1926 DL6SH (55/55) JN, 1931 HB9Q (59/55) JN, contacts including some initials. QSO’d were LZ1DX,
1938 DL3EBJ (55/55) JO, 1959 DF3RU (55/55) JN, SP6ITF, W4OP, IK1FJL, OK2DL, K2UYH, SM4IVE, W4AF,
2043 LX1DB (59/56) JN, 2140 G3LTF (55/54) IO and DF3RU, SP7DCS, RA3AUB, F5KUM, PA3FXB, LZ2US,
2232 DL0SHF (599/43) JO CW-SSB. My score was K6MG, SK0UX, G3LTF, OK1CS, SM6PGP, G4CCH,
(8x2+1) x 3 sectors = 51 points. My station is a 4.5 m dish, SM2CEW, NC1I, VA7MM, KA1GT, N6OVP and WA9FWD.
350 W PA and TS2000X. I also made it on for the 9 cm AW on 23/24 Dec. I could not
be QRV for the first night due to bad weather, high winds, on 10368 using QRA65D for sked at 0800 with S57RA, but
but the following night was perfect. The turnout was a bit Pavel lost AC power, but did QSO at 0908 DL6ABC
low mainly due to the Moon position and middle of (12DB/17DB) for mixed initial #39*, and on 30 Dec at 0938
night/early morning timing. It was still good to work K2UYH, S57RA (10DB/14DB) #40* and DXCC 23. I was very
SM6PGP, PA0BAT, W5LUA, SA6BUN and G4CCH. I am disappointed to miss the SSB Funtests and the related
working on a 6 cm SSPA and feed assembly, and am EME generated for the ARRL’s Jan tropo contest. I do plan
looking forward to hearing my echoes on this new band to be QRV for the 432 DUBUS EME Contest in Feb and if
very soon. WX permits some more 3 cm skeds.

W2HRO: Paul w2hro.fn20@gmail.com finished off 432 NET/REFLECTOR NEWS: DL2NUD is planning to go to
WAC in Jan -- I worked PY2BS to complete 432 WAC with 4S7 in the spring. F2CT will be QRV in 2019 with on 432 8
my extended 4 m dish, loop feed and 150 W at the feed. I x 27 el yagis and 1 kW, on 1296 4 m dish and 1 kW; and
was very lucky to 5 great stations/ops to work - thanks. I will 10368 4 m dish and 60 W. Contact Guy for skeds (CW) at
now concentrate on WAC on 1296. I did some testing of my f2ct@wanadoo.fr. G4BAO is working on 100 W SSPA for
1296 feed with my relatively deep 4 m dish (extended from his 9 cm system. Should be done soon. On 13 cm he has
3 m). I wanted to see how much the 90 deg hybrid splitter 200 W to his 1.9 m dish. KN0WS has been working on a
used to get circular pol with my patch feed degraded my calorimetric power meter to accurately measure the power
RX. The results were interesting for me but just as you of his 3 cm SSPA. He is QRV on 3 cm over the winter from
would expect. Test #1 - Dual Pol Patch Feed & cables to his home QTH with a small 1.2 m dish and available for
hybrid & hybrid & preamp protection switch. With this setup skeds. ON5RR has a new email address
- cold sky to Sun delta was 11.5 dB. Test #2 - Dual Pol moonbouncer.on@gmail.com. Marc asks us to start using
Patch Feed with preamp connected directly to V-pol. With his new one. PA3DZL on 15 Dec moved to his new QTH
this setup - cold sky to sun delta was 12.5 dB. The good (Almkerk, NL) and is working on the permit for antennas. In
news is that my 4 m extension is effective and working as the interim, Jac expects to be QRV with portable yagi setup.
expected. The bad news is the patch and hybrid is also VE1KG is setting up for 3 cm RX using an offset 77 cm dish
working as expected. I'm still happy that with the small and a SDR. VK4EME is working on new 70 cm SSPA. Alan
footprint (and weight) patch feed, but to try a septum feed expect some new VK2’s on 70 cm EME. ZL3AAD is also
at some point. working on a 70 cm SSPA and preparing to return to EME
on both CW and JT65.
WX4F: Gray grayfulk@embarqmail.com is QRV on 1296
EME and writes -- I am having FUN, and a lifelong dream
fulfilled since I first read about EME in the 1976 in the ARRL
Handbook at age 14. On 1296 I am now up to mixed initial
#33* (8 on CW, 3 on SSB and 22 JT65C) as follows:
AA4MD, DF2GB, DF2VJ, DJ2DY, ES6FX, F1RJ, G3LTF,
G4CCH, G4FQI, HB9Q, I1NDP, IK1FJI, IK3COJ, K5DN,
K5DOG, K7CA, KA1GT, KD3UY, OK1L, OK2DL, ON4QQ,
PA3FXB, PE1LWT, RA3EC, RN6MA, SM4IVE, SM6CKU,
SP5GDM, SP6JLW, VA6EME, W1PV, W2HRO, and
W4OP (my first contact), with 14 countries and 8 US states.
I worked the 3 SSB QSOs during the 23 cm SSB
FUNTEST. They were I1NDP, OK2DL, and G3LTF. The
SSB contacts were quite FUN for sure; and Good copy! On
CW during FUNTEST, I contacted SM6CKU, RA3EC, and
IK1FJI. I used a 4.5 m dish and about 400 W at the feed.

K2UYH: Al alkatz@tcnj.edu – Jan was not a good month


for EME. It yielded no QSOs because of a combination of
poor WX and travel. I have hoped to fit in a few hours on 13
cm at the very start of SSB Funtest, but it was not to be. I
ran out of time. The end of Dec was a little better. On 21/22
Dec I ran some test on 10368 EME with KN0WS. Carl
copied me, but I could not find him despite the fact that I
was hearing good echoes. I was on 9 cm for the AW and KN0WS calorimetric power testing on 3 cm
QSO’d on 23 Dec at 0158 VE6BGT (569/569) and 0532
SM6PGP (559/569) both on CW, and on 24 Dec at 0451 FOR SALE: N4PZ has about 12 MRF19125s available for
G4CCH (579/579) for initial #51 on CW, 0505 WA3RQG free to anyone who needs them. He also has some
(2DB/16DB) on JT65C for mixed initial #58* - Don does not MRF21125s available for a reasonable price. If interested
work CW, 0610 SA6BUN (569/559) and 0546 VE6BGT contact Steve at n4pz@live.com. OK1TEH found that there
(569/569) again on CW. On 25 Dec I worked using JT65B are 4 abandoned 28’ Kennedy dishes, similar to those used
on 432 at 1248 JA6AHB (4DB/16DB) and 1342 BD9BU by VK3UM and others. They are in PA - Hoek van Holland
(19DB/26DB) for mixed initial #983*. On 29 Dec I was back and may be available for a very reasonable price. See
http://tchorski.morkitu.org/18/lessive-01.htm. [See info on 4 m dish. It required sprockets and a chain, but worked
Kennedy dishes: nicely -- I mount a sprocket on the bottom of the SPID. It
http://www.storyavenue.com/dskpages.htm. KD2XN has drives a 2nd sprocket by a chain with a 1:1 gearing ratio. I
for sale: DEMI LTRS 4-step squencer kit for $55 (incl. get a nice smooth read out on the DRZ control box. It
shipping); DEMI 30 W 23 cm linear amp kit for $180 (incl. improved my readout resolution from 1 deg to 0.1 deg - see
shipping); VHFdesign.com 23 cm LNA with 34 dB gain and following picture.
0.3 dB NF with RF relay, 50-ohm load + enclosure for
$130 (incl. shipping); VHFdesign.com 23 cm 300 W SSPA
with heatsink + fans + 28 V PS for $550; Kuhne 23 cm
transverter (1296-1298/146-148) for $450 (incl. shipping),
RFHamDesign Dual Mode Septum Feed 1296 p/n CIR-
1296/Opt1 with CLX-05 dish feed bracket for $300; and
DAIWA CN-801 SII .9-2.5 GHz cross needle SWR/PWR
meter for $220 (incl. shipping). If interested contact Phil by
email.

TECHNICAL: KA1GT was not too active in Jan but has


written a small Windows App that takes the AZ-EL file data
from WSJT(-X) and calculates doppler shifts for the various
WSJT-X doppler modes as well as displaying some other
information useful to EMEers. Anyone can download it from
-- http://bobatkins.com/radio/dopplercalc.html.

Readout in gray box at bottom left; SPID at upper right

RADIO ASTRONOMY CORNER: See IONAA’s report for


more information on Pulsar hunting.

Scientists close to the first sighting of black hole's shadow:


Radio-astronomers from the project Event Horizon
Telescope (ETH) have almost finished the processing of
230 GHz interferometry image of Sagittarius A* in the
center of Milky Way. In Jan a senior scientist on the project
said that “spectacular” data was gathered during
observations of two black holes, including Sagittarius A* at
the center of our own galaxy and a supermassive black
hole called M87 in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Peter
Galison, who is based at the the History of Science dept at
Harvard University and is also involved in the project, said
that if successful the EHT’s first image would become one
of the most significant in the past 50 years of astronomy! All
fingers are crossed. See more at:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/11/scientis
ts-close-to-capturing-first-image-of-black-hole-at-the-
centre-of-the-milky-way

News from NRAO announced that the VLA (“ng” very large
array) Science Book is available online via “Open Access”
on the ASP webpage:
http://aspbooks.org/a/volumes/table_of_contents/?book_id
SDR to 3 cm -- The limesdr can cover 10 GHz -- see =592.
https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limesdr-
mini/updates/lms8001-companion-extends-coverage-to- SETI and Fast Radio Bursts: The discovery of a repeating
10-ghz. fast radio burst (FRB) source FRB 121102 eliminated
models involving cataclysmic events for this source. Avi
W2HRO has installed US Digital encoder (other similar Loeb from the Harvard-Smithsonian center for astrophysics
encodes will work too) on his SPID Rotor use for AZ of his
has posited some outlandish theories suggesting FRB ► You can view a video showing the 2018 TD9CHR/
could be evidence of incredibly advanced alien technology. TD9FYC EME dxpedition to Guatemala. See:
More info see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnxVaHpQ8_g.
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/jan/09/repeati ► This is old news that was missed last month -- WSJT-X
ng-fast-radio-bursts-from-deep-space-could-be-liens. A full version 2.0.0. has been officially released. There is very
article can be read at: little that affects EME and microwave operation, but It's still
https://www.nature. com/articles/s41586-018-0864-x.epdf. important to upgrade as many of the bugs in earlier
versions have been fixed.
FINAL: Our thanks to Rick, K1DS for getting the 2018
ARRL EME Contest scores posted so early – tremendous ► We are very sorry to report that EME and VHF/UHF
job! See all 17 pages at: DXer OK1RK (ex OL1BRA, OK1AUT, 5N0AUT.) has
https://contests.arrl.org/ContestResults/2018/EME-2018- become a silent key at the age of 47. Right before his death,
FinalFullResults.pdf. David was working on new 70 cm antenna for EME. See for
more details http://www.ok2kkw.com/rip/board.php. May he
► Concerns about power restrictions on ON0EME, the rest in peace.
1296 EME Beacon have evaporated. As Eddy (ON7UN)
writes: It seems it was a storm in a glass of water. The ► Please keep the reports and tech info coming. We
Airport radars were having interference from wide band hope the increase in 432 logs submitted to the ARRL
signals such as DATV, but not for narrow band modes. EME Contest bods well for a good turnout in the DUBUS
Most likely there will be no change for the beacon, EME or 432 CW EME Contest. We will looking for you off the
tropo. Moon (even with one yagi!) on 16/17 Feb. 73, Al - K2UYH
and Matej – OK1TEH
► We have received a new worrying report – As of 1 Jan
The OZ 13 cm band has been moved from 2300 - 2400 to
2400 – 2450; see https://vushf.dk/transverter-ombygning-
til-2400-mhz/. Is this the time to try and move all 13 cm EME
to 2400 as many of us have an allocation to TX at this
subband?

► The Swedish 432 & UP EME Conference are moving


into high gear with the conference little more than 3 months
to go. The agenda have been updated with more speaker
info - see http://www.sm4ive.com/agenda.htm. New in
2019, all participants will do a short 5-10 min presentation
about their station, why you are into EME, and how you
became interested in EME. These presentations will be in
between the regular program. HB9BBD will do the NF
measurements. Dominique would like to know the
frequency of LNAs and Noise sources, and how many you VE6BGT has feeds ready for EME on 6 cm
may bring. Please send this info ASAP.

► The ARI’s EME Trophy Contest will take place on 16/17


May. The complete rules plus the results of past contests
can be found at http://www.eme2008.org/ari-
eme/contest.html. Contact I5WBE for questions. Enrico
also announces that ARI annual EME Meeting will be
on13/14 April at the Marina di Pietrasanta (LU) – Hotel
Joseph. For further info please write to I5WBE
i5wbe@i5wbe.it.

► Ben (SM6CKU) in 1994 organized with his Swedish


EME friends organized the 6th EME Conference in
Gothenburg (actually in Gotemskar about 40 km south of
Gothenburg). SM6KJX spent many hours with his big
camera making a video of the event and then editing it. This
video now can be watched on YouTube – see
https://youtu.be/_ZcCzTlLyGA. For those who were there
you can see how you looked 25 years ago. If you were not
there, it still should be interesting. Take a look and find out
how fun we had! The film is 50 minutes long and is not very W2HRO’s Moon window for Asia and VK to complete
technical. WAC – quite an accomplishment.

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