Dish
with 24GHz Transceiver installed on tripod.
VK5DK listening on 24GHz at the Blue Lake, VK5NC supervising
On the 27th and 28th of November 2006 VK5DK (Colin) and VK5NC (Trevor) made some initial contacts in a lead up to extending the current national 24GHz distance record. While the distance travelled to the sites was not great it still involved transporting equipment and operating portable and co-ordinating with the station at the other end of the attempt. VK3ZQB (Russell).
On the 27th the site was on the south-eastern rim of Mount Gambier's famous Blue Lake. The Mount Gambier 2m repeater 146.900 was used to liaise with the other end of the link, VK3ZQB, who was located in the sand dunes near Port Fairy Victoria. 10GHz was used to establish a contact and align the dishes for a 24GHz contact.
With the dishes aligned Colin, VK5DK and Trevor, VK5NC swapped the 10GHz amplifier for the 24GHz unit. Contact was made and a signal report of 5 x 9 was received for both directions. QSO's continued for at least 30 minutes.
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Dish
with 24GHz Transceiver installed on tripod.
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VK5DK listening on 24GHz at the Blue Lake, VK5NC supervising
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On the 28th the chosen site was the Bluff a little further west. At the same time VK3ZQB was heading to Mount Warrnambool. Liaison frequency this time was 144.250 on sideband. Prior to setting up, a moment was taken to photograph the sunset.
This night an additional station VK3XPD, Alan who was located at Berwick was involved in the attempt. Russell, VK3ZQB was the middle point. Once again 10GHz was used for initial contact and dish alignment, switching to 24GHz once the path had been established. Russell, VK3ZQB, was able to establish a 10GHz contact and subsequently a 24GHz contact with Alan, VK3XPD. The distance for the contact was estimated at 228km, which will be a new record for 24GHz.
With the benchmark set between the two VK3's, it was time for VK5 to contribute. Contact between Colin, VK5DK and Russell, VKZQB was established on 10GHz, conditions being so good that attenuation was required to be able to peak the signals to align the dish. Switching to 24GHz allowed VK5DK and VK3ZQB to repeat their previous 201km record. Excellent signals were obtained for the 24GHz contact.
An attempt was made to establish a 24GHz contact between VK3XPD in Berwick and VK5DK on the Bluff. Initial contact for alignment was done on 10GHz, however signal reports were very low indicating that conditions were not favourable. Switching to 24GHz was tried but no signals were received in either direction.
Russel, VK3ZQB attempted to re-establish contact with Alan, VK3XPD but the conditions for 24GHz had changed dramatically and no more contacts were possible. Conditions at The Bluff were also deteriorating evident by the amount of moisture forming on the car.
Good spirits all round for the extending of the record and what may be a promising summer season for 24GHz. Comments made by Russell, VK3ZQB that if the contact between Berwick and the Bluff had been successful he would have had to pack up his 24GHz gear and make an early start on his winter projects.
The sun sets on VK5DK's 24GHz record !