1. UKMicrowaves@groups.io
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Re: uW Contests 2014

Martyn G3UKV
 

GE All
Thanks for all responses.
As I flew the kite, sticking my head over the parapet, I can safely announce it has gone down like a lead balloon ( I like mixing metaphors ...)
Back to the drawing board. (that's four)
But let's hope for more activity in 2014.

FYI - there were
10, 5 and 6 entries on 23, 13 and 9cm in the April '13 contest, respectively
3, 3 and 2 in the June 2013 leg, and
11, 8 and 7 in the Nov 2012 event (2013 results not yet issued).

Compare these to the entries for Tuesday evening 2013 UKAC sessions, of which there were 11:-
23cm 139
13cm 27
9cm 8
6cm 7
3cm 16
Which probably doesn't prove anything, except if you want to win a trophy or a certificate, 9cm, 6cm (and 24GHz +) are the bands to go for in 2014!

73 - Happy Christmas es DX in 2014
Martyn G3UKV


On 18/12/2013 14:51, Phil Guttridge wrote:
 

Hi Martyn,

I speak as a member of a group who have spent a decade developing and refining our equipment and practices for the 'Low Microwave Bands' contests.
Most of our QSOs are initially established on 23cm and then 'handed on' to our 13cm & 9cm stations. The antennas for the 23cm station are relatively large and heavy and it needs at least four people to raise the mast.
If the three band contest configuration is disassembled, we would have little motive to get together as a group and our activity would probably decline or terminate.
It is a contest  and part of the challenge is that we need to do well on all three bands. I see making it easier by de-scoping to two bands as a step backwards. Sure, there is scope for two band contests, but in the case of the Low Bands, it ain't broke so it doesn't need fixing.

73, Phil G3TCU (who provides the 23cm station)

On 16/12/2013 18:55, Martyn Vincent wrote:
 

GE All
Given a bit of thought to the various uWave contests for next year, as requested by John 'XDY recently.

So, flying a kite, I wonder what active microwave users think of making each session only a 2 band pairing? More manageable for portables and some of us at home too.
Also reduce from 5 to 3 sessions per band (best 2 to decide championship over the season). Many have commented there have been too many contests in recent years - but there would be just 11 Sundays/weekends in this scheme (excluding RSGB events). Also Winter months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) would have none (except RSGB UKAC evenings).
Gives more even date spacing per band than this year. Roving rule only to apply to 10 & 24G. (ie drop 5.7G - no one roves on 6cm).

All other aspects continue as this year (i.e. Hours of operating, Certificates and Sections, Scoring etc). Almost identical Sundays/weekends to 2013, which also fit in with the RSGB uWave events which are scheduled to remain the same in 2014.


2014 Thus:-
MARCH 16th - 1.3, 2.3G
APRIL 20th - 3.4, 5.7G
[MAY 3/4 - RSGB All Bands: 10G and 432MHz Trophies]
MAY 25th - 10, 24G
JUNE 1st - 1.3, 2.4 G
JUNE 29th - 3.4, 5.7G
[JULY 5/6 RSGB VHF NFD (inc 1.3G) ]
JULY 13th - 24/47/76 - 1000G
JULY 20th - 1.3, 2.3G
AUGUST 3rd - uWave Field Day 1.3, 10G (plus another band option?)
AUGUST 24th - 10, 24G
SEPTEMBER 28th - 3.4, 5.7G
[OCTOBER 4/5 RSGB All Bands: 1.3 and 2.3 Trophies ]
OCTOBER 5 - 10, 24G

Perhaps different pairings - eg 23/9cm, 13/6cm,  3cm/12mm ?
Others' thoughts ?
73 Martyn G3UKV
(aka G3ZME/P - Telford Group)


Re: 23cm driver board kits available

g4bao
 

Never tried the board in a box but my guess would be that a higher box would be better than one thats too close to the pcb. You only need to set the bias once

On 19 Dec 2013 18:50, "G8ZHA" <g8zha@...> wrote:
 

Quick question about a box for the amp. I have a 7755 box which is the correct width but too long and much higher than nessesary. I can shorten the box to match the PCB but my question is about the height......how close to the lid (or how far) should the PCB be?
 
Also will the bias pot need adjusting in service, or do I need an adjustment hole?
 
Regards, Rich
Re: uW Contests 2014

Raymond Brooks
 

Hi Folks,

 

I do not entirely object to changing the format, I have been out portable a number of times this year in England & Scotland and not just for contests. Should we be reducing activity on any of the µW bands whilst there is uncertainty on our continued access to the lower bands?

 

Personally I was looking forward to the 2014, as I have just got an old Suzuki 4X4 ready and kitted out for low band contest to access some remote sites. I was trying to getting a small group together even though we have only low power available at this time.

 

 

73

Raymond

G8KPS

 
Re: uW Contests 2014

Tony G4NBS
 

Can we not get the results published on RSGB contest site? That might also publicise the fact that there are microwave contests outside of RSGB events and possibly help increase activity?

I'm guessing those that haven't heard of this group might not know when the contests are??

Regards
Tony G4NBS

From: g4bao
To: "Ukmicrowaves (ukmicrowaves@...)"
Sent: Thursday, 19 December 2013, 13:07
Subject: Re: [ukmicrowaves] Re: uW Contests 2014
 
PS. Can we have a results page on the web please?
Graham

Graham, you'd be more that welcome to join the UKuG committee and do that. How about it? The UKuG is sadly lacking in web-savvy people, especially if we were to lose the current webmaster, who is Murray and is VERY busy on other things!!. 73
John
 
Re: 23cm driver board kits available

G8ZHA <g8zha@...>
 

Quick question about a box for the amp. I have a 7755 box which is the correct width but too long and much higher than nessesary. I can shorten the box to match the PCB but my question is about the height......how close to the lid (or how far) should the PCB be?
 
Also will the bias pot need adjusting in service, or do I need an adjustment hole?
 
Regards, Rich
Re: uW Contests 2014

Barry Lewis
 

Folks,
I entirely object to changing the format and fully support retaining the three Lo-Band bands together in the same events. In addition I don't support any changes to the 5.7/10/24 activites either.
 
The small /P group I tend to operate in works because individuals concentrate on specific bands leading to a better overall team performance. The team  is required in order to make the whole operation effective and manageable. Excluding specific bands will act as a disincentive for some parties (and we know that a good incentive is required on cold windy days!) resulting in reduced activity.
 
73
Barry
G4SJH
 
 
Re: uW Contests 2014

g4bao
 

PS. Can we have a results page on the web please?
Graham

Graham, you'd be more that welcome to join the UKuG committee and do that. How about it?

The UKuG is sadly lacking in web-savvy people, especially if we were to lose the current webmaster, who is Murray and is VERY busy on other things!!.

73
John
 
Re: uW Contests 2014

g4bao
 

Hence my idea of "pairing" every "low activity band" contests with 23cm ones and doubling? points scored for the higher band /bands to make them more attractive

(or did my email get lost due to the recent yahoo problems?)


On Wed, Dec 18, 2013 at 2:51 PM, Phil Guttridge <p.guttridge@...> wrote:
 

Hi Martyn,

I speak as a member of a group who have spent a decade developing and refining our equipment and practices for the 'Low Microwave Bands' contests.
Most of our QSOs are initially established on 23cm and then 'handed on' to our 13cm & 9cm stations. The antennas for the 23cm station are relatively large and heavy and it needs at least four people to raise the mast.
If the three band contest configuration is disassembled, we would have little motive to get together as a group and our activity would probably decline or terminate.
It is a contest  and part of the challenge is that we need to do well on all three bands. I see making it easier by de-scoping to two bands as a step backwards. Sure, there is scope for two band contests, but in the case of the Low Bands, it ain't broke so it doesn't need fixing.

73, Phil G3TCU (who provides the 23cm station)

On 16/12/2013 18:55, Martyn Vincent wrote:
 

GE All
Given a bit of thought to the various uWave contests for next year, as requested by John 'XDY recently.

So, flying a kite, I wonder what active microwave users think of making each session only a 2 band pairing? More manageable for portables and some of us at home too.
Also reduce from 5 to 3 sessions per band (best 2 to decide championship over the season). Many have commented there have been too many contests in recent years - but there would be just 11 Sundays/weekends in this scheme (excluding RSGB events). Also Winter months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) would have none (except RSGB UKAC evenings).
Gives more even date spacing per band than this year. Roving rule only to apply to 10 & 24G. (ie drop 5.7G - no one roves on 6cm).

All other aspects continue as this year (i.e. Hours of operating, Certificates and Sections, Scoring etc). Almost identical Sundays/weekends to 2013, which also fit in with the RSGB uWave events which are scheduled to remain the same in 2014.


2014 Thus:-
MARCH 16th - 1.3, 2.3G
APRIL 20th - 3.4, 5.7G
[MAY 3/4 - RSGB All Bands: 10G and 432MHz Trophies]
MAY 25th - 10, 24G
JUNE 1st - 1.3, 2.4 G
JUNE 29th - 3.4, 5.7G
[JULY 5/6 RSGB VHF NFD (inc 1.3G) ]
JULY 13th - 24/47/76 - 1000G
JULY 20th - 1.3, 2.3G
AUGUST 3rd - uWave Field Day 1.3, 10G (plus another band option?)
AUGUST 24th - 10, 24G
SEPTEMBER 28th - 3.4, 5.7G
[OCTOBER 4/5 RSGB All Bands: 1.3 and 2.3 Trophies ]
OCTOBER 5 - 10, 24G



Perhaps different pairings - eg 23/9cm, 13/6cm,  3cm/12mm ?
Others' thoughts ?
73 Martyn G3UKV
(aka G3ZME/P - Telford Group)


Re: uW Contests 2014

Richard Bown <richard@...>
 

On Thu, 19 Dec 2013 11:35:30 +0000
Graham Kimbell G3TCT <g3tct@...> wrote:

I agree with Roger and Phil
Our group has supported the low band contests from a few portable
sites for a few years now and found that 23/13/9cm is fine - we
wouldn't find it helpful to split these up or to combine them with
any other bands. It could be argued that there are too many of them
during the year, but I think the most important thing is to
synchronise them with activity on the continent. It's very
disheartening to go to the effort of setting everything up at a
portable site and find hardly any activity.

PS. Can we have a results page on the web please?
Graham

I dont agree with splitting the low bands either, but if you spot
yourselves on the DXCluster, as I use Dave G7RAUs Live_MUF software
I see immediately a spot on the map where you are and my beam heading
to you, and if you do that rare thing of calling CQ , there's a good
chance I might even find you





> It is a fair idea, but not great. I think if you put 3.4 & 5.7G
> together you would get few takers.
> How about keeping 1.3, 2.3, 3.4G together. Have 5 cumulatives, 2x
> 5.7 + 10G, 2x 10 + 24G, & 1 x 5.7, 10, 24G - or is that getting
> too complicated?
>
> Roger


--
--
Seasonal wishes
Richard Bown
Email : richard@...
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
##################################################################################
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 15 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030 laptop
Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W
QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 350W, 70cms 200W
Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W
##################################################################################
Re: uW Contests 2014

David.Austen@...
 

Martyn,


I agree with Phil that it would be a great pity to stop the Low Band contests. Most of the portables we work appear to be groups of two or more individuals and the home stations (who have more than one band) are able to switch quickly and easily. So I feel that the premise for changing the Low Band is somewhat flawed.


Simple band pairings will always require one of the lower bands, probably 23cm, or heavy reliance on KST. Use or 2m talkback seems to have dwindled significantly and it's not unusual to establish zero contacts that way during a Low Band these days.


73, Dave G1EHF (who provides the 9cm station)
Re: uW Contests 2014

Graham Kimbell G3TCT <g3tct@...>
 

I agree with Roger and Phil
Our group has supported the low band contests from a few portable sites for a few years now and found that 23/13/9cm is fine - we wouldn't find it helpful to split these up or to combine them with any other bands. It could be argued that there are too many of them during the year, but I think the most important thing is to synchronise them with activity on the continent. It's very disheartening to go to the effort of setting everything up at a portable site and find hardly any activity.

PS. Can we have a results page on the web please?
Graham

It is a fair idea, but not great. I think if you put 3.4 & 5.7G
together you would get few takers.
How about keeping 1.3, 2.3, 3.4G together. Have 5 cumulatives, 2x
5.7 + 10G, 2x 10 + 24G, & 1 x 5.7, 10, 24G - or is that getting
too complicated?

Roger
Re: Scatterpoint

Richard Bown <richard@...>
 

On Thu, 19 Dec 2013 10:19:42 -0000
"Cliff Barber" <cliff@...> wrote:

Hi Richard,
Did you receive the notification of the latest issue of SCATTERPOINT
(5 Dec) ? Cliff G4BGP


No I didn't , I only knew scatterpoint was out when Dave GM3WIL told me
it was, and I havn't seen the posting on mail scam either.

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Bown
To: ukmicrowaves@...
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:34 AM
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Scatterpoint



Hi,
I'm not getting any mail from the scatterpoint yahoo group, my
details are correct, anyone else missing mail ?

--
--
Seasonal wishes
Richard Bown
Email : richard@...
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
##################################################################################
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 15 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030
laptop Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W
QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 350W, 70cms 200W
Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W
##################################################################################




No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6932 - Release Date:
12/18/13


--
--
Seasonal wishes
Richard Bown
Email : richard@...
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
##################################################################################
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 15 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030 laptop
Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W
QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 350W, 70cms 200W
Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W
##################################################################################
Re: Scatterpoint

Cliff Barber <cliff@...>
 

Hi Richard,
Did you receive the notification of the latest issue of SCATTERPOINT (5 Dec) ?
Cliff G4BGP
 

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 9:34 AM
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Scatterpoint

 

Hi,
I'm not getting any mail from the scatterpoint yahoo group, my details
are correct, anyone else missing mail ?

--
--
Seasonal wishes
Richard Bown
Email : richard@...
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
##################################################################################
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 15 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030 laptop
Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W
QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 350W, 70cms 200W
Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W
##################################################################################

No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6932 - Release Date: 12/18/13
Scatterpoint

Richard Bown <richard@...>
 

Hi,
I'm not getting any mail from the scatterpoint yahoo group, my details
are correct, anyone else missing mail ?

--
--
Seasonal wishes
Richard Bown
Email : richard@...
HTTP : http://www.g8jvm.com
nil carborundum a illegitemis
##################################################################################
Ham Call G8JVM . OS Linux Mint 15 x86_64 on a Dell Inspiron N5030 laptop
Maidenhead QRA: IO82SP38, LAT. 52 39.720' N LONG. 2 28.171 W
QRV VHF 6mtrs 200W, 4 mtrs 150W, 2mtrs 350W, 70cms 200W
Microwave 23 cms 140W, 13 cms 100W, 6 cms 0W & 3cms 5W
##################################################################################
Re: uW Contests 2014

Phil Guttridge G3TCU
 

Hi Martyn,

I speak as a member of a group who have spent a decade developing and refining our equipment and practices for the 'Low Microwave Bands' contests.
Most of our QSOs are initially established on 23cm and then 'handed on' to our 13cm & 9cm stations. The antennas for the 23cm station are relatively large and heavy and it needs at least four people to raise the mast.
If the three band contest configuration is disassembled, we would have little motive to get together as a group and our activity would probably decline or terminate.
It is a contest  and part of the challenge is that we need to do well on all three bands. I see making it easier by de-scoping to two bands as a step backwards. Sure, there is scope for two band contests, but in the case of the Low Bands, it ain't broke so it doesn't need fixing.

73, Phil G3TCU (who provides the 23cm station)


On 16/12/2013 18:55, Martyn Vincent wrote:
 

GE All
Given a bit of thought to the various uWave contests for next year, as requested by John 'XDY recently.

So, flying a kite, I wonder what active microwave users think of making each session only a 2 band pairing? More manageable for portables and some of us at home too.
Also reduce from 5 to 3 sessions per band (best 2 to decide championship over the season). Many have commented there have been too many contests in recent years - but there would be just 11 Sundays/weekends in this scheme (excluding RSGB events). Also Winter months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb) would have none (except RSGB UKAC evenings).
Gives more even date spacing per band than this year. Roving rule only to apply to 10 & 24G. (ie drop 5.7G - no one roves on 6cm).

All other aspects continue as this year (i.e. Hours of operating, Certificates and Sections, Scoring etc). Almost identical Sundays/weekends to 2013, which also fit in with the RSGB uWave events which are scheduled to remain the same in 2014.


2014 Thus:-
MARCH 16th - 1.3, 2.3G
APRIL 20th - 3.4, 5.7G
[MAY 3/4 - RSGB All Bands: 10G and 432MHz Trophies]
MAY 25th - 10, 24G
JUNE 1st - 1.3, 2.4 G
JUNE 29th - 3.4, 5.7G
[JULY 5/6 RSGB VHF NFD (inc 1.3G) ]
JULY 13th - 24/47/76 - 1000G
JULY 20th - 1.3, 2.3G
AUGUST 3rd - uWave Field Day 1.3, 10G (plus another band option?)
AUGUST 24th - 10, 24G
SEPTEMBER 28th - 3.4, 5.7G
[OCTOBER 4/5 RSGB All Bands: 1.3 and 2.3 Trophies ]
OCTOBER 5 - 10, 24G

Perhaps different pairings - eg 23/9cm, 13/6cm,  3cm/12mm ?
Others' thoughts ?
73 Martyn G3UKV
(aka G3ZME/P - Telford Group)

Maestro A2200 GPS Module

Andy G4JNT
 

No one commented, so I assume no one else has tried them so far.

I got a couple of the A2200 modules and tested them out.
Unfortunately, unlike many GPS receivers they don't fire up straight
after switch on. They have an on/off pin that has to be strobed in
order to switch on - so only useful when used in conjunction with a
uController.

However, once strobed on, they start delivering NMEA 4800 baud data
and can achieve lockup from a completely freezing-cold start in 30
seconds. After that, warm start is a second or two. NMEA data at
3.3V logic levels so can go straight to a uController running at 5V,
but the PPS is only at 1.8V - which quite isn't so useful. An NPN and
using inverted PPS solves that one.

However, for the price and ready availalbility from Farnell, they're very good..

They 'claim' to have an anti-jam capability against CW jammers -
which I'm very sceptical about. Haven't done any testing yet, but
that claim certainly needs investigating.

Andy
G4JNT

On 13 December 2013 13:50, Andy Talbot <andy.g4jnt@...> wrote:
Has anyone used the MAESTRO WIRELESS SOLUTIONS - A2200A - GPS MODULE
available from Farnell for the rather low price of £10.12 ( they're
£14 from RS)
http://uk.farnell.com/maestro-wireless-solutions/a2200a/gps-module-rom-based-mini-outline/dp/2281694

It ticks all the easy-to-use boxes: 4800 baud NMEA by default , 3.3V
operation, separate antenna voltage feed pin that allows for 5V
powered antennas.
I've ordered a couple on spec. Will report

Andy
G4JNT
Re: Test please ignore

Dave <dave@...>
 

I usually track up the emails by selecting "next unread" so I didn't see the "please ignore" until the system opened the email...
 
Dave (G0DJA)
 

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 10:47 PM
Subject: [ukmicrowaves] Test please ignore

 


Couldn't resist it could you!!
Anritsu - MH627A Tracking Gen - Help Required

Dennis_G6YBC
 

Hi All,

Looking for a Service Manual or Circuit details etc. to enable me to get this working again.

Have been in touch with Anritsu and they stopped support back in 2003, so was hoping somebody in the group maybe able to help.

Thank you in advance

Dennis G6YBC
Re: Redifon HFA 125 HF

yahoo@...
 

Gunter,

At the risk of getting ejected from the group for talking about the DC bands below 30 MHz, is this an amplifier built in two halves, each of which is on a big black heatsink and uses 2 x BLW96 with two purple toroids as the output transformer?  If so I have one and am also looking for a circuit information.

73
John G3UUT  
Re: Test please ignore

John G3UUT <yahoo@...>
 

Hi John,

I have a confession to make, it was actually getting a search hit for a reference to a Redifon HFA 125 amplifier (Dec 1st DL4MEA 9.10) that got me to sign up to this group - I got hold of a solid state 300 W HF PA and I think it might be one of these but I can't find any info on it.  Having said that I hadn't really appreciated that this group existed and having been reading lots of emails yesterday I should have signed up long ago.

73
John G3UUT   


On 17/12/2013 22:47, g4bao wrote:
 

Couldn't resist it could you!!
33321 - 33340 of 67399