50 MHz & Up Group

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The 50 MHz and Up Group is a public benefit amateur radio organization centered in the San Francisco Bay area. The group is interested in developing and utilizing communications on frequencies from 50MHz up through light-waves. The group is open to any related topics that might be of interest to members, such as: technology, design, construction, operation, public service, contesting and antennas. Lean more . . .

Contact

For questions about this group or about programs and activities, please contact the President, Kevin Hague, N5XSA at (kevin.hague at knowesys dot com)

Picnic for July meeting

We have a confirmed reservation at the NSC Lakeside picnic site #1: July 11, 10am to 3pm

Announcements

All club dues are suspended for Calendar Year 2009

New article on Software Defined Radio at 144MHz by Jeffrey Pawlan, WA6KBL. This is actually used as the receive IF in my 10GHz portable station.
Download the file here: Software_Defined_Radio_at_144MHz.pdf

Minutes from May Meeting

Kevin Hague called the meeting to order.
Discussion topics included SBMS 2 GHz and up contest results.
10 GHz Contacts on 5/9 with WA6KBL and others.
Discussion of Echoes of Apollo EME Event June 27th 2009. One of the goals is to have a number of large dishes on the air. This would allow EME contacts by modestly equipped EME Stations with the stations using these large dishes. More information can be found at http://echoesofapollo.com/.
Discussion of 900 MHz radios for liaison use during 10 GHz an up contests.
ERG currently has 900 MHz repeaters on Mt Diablo, Grizzly Peak, and Eldorado Hills operating. There are also several other linked 900 MHz repeater systems.

Kevin Hague moved that the group authorize spending up to $300 to purchase a lot of 10 radios that were suitable for conversion to 900 MHz. These radios would be resold to interested members at cost. The motion was seconded and passed by a show of hands with no opposition.

Brian Yee N6BY gave a presentation on spectrum analyzers available on the surplus market that are of interest to amateur microwave experimenters.

The meeting concluded with some discussion about converting the NJR2154HW 12 GHz LNB for use as a 10 GHz LNA.
minutes by Brian Kline WA6QDP

Beacons

Microwave Beacons in operation The following beacons are known to be operating as of 12-01-2008:

WhereSpecs
Leeson Site, near Mt Thayer, KF6KVG: 10367.990MHz, 24191.975MHz, 47087.99, 79920MHz, 37deg 10.034min N, 121deg 55.500min W
Mt Allison, AD6FP: (needs repair) 10369.176MHz, 37deg 29.905min N, 121deg 52.206min W
Mt Allison: 24192.010MHz, 37deg 29.905min N, 121deg 52.206min W
Mt Allison, WA6QDP (needs repair): 47061.00MHz, 37deg 29.905min N, 121deg 52.206min W
Mt Vaca, W6ASL: 10368.325MHz, 38deg 24min 51sec N, 122deg 06min 50sec W
Mt St Helena, KF6KVG: 24191.990MHz, 38deg 39min 22sec N, 122deg 37min 0.9sec W
Mt Frazier, N6CA/B: 10368.3107MHz, 34deg 46min 30sec N, 118deg 58min 09sec W
San Diego, Mt. St Miguel, WB6IGP: 10368.075MHz (+/- 10KHz), 32deg 41.8min N, 116deg 56.09min W.
Palos Verdes, N6CA 10368.300MHz, 33deg 46min 15sec N, 118deg 22min 30sec W.

10GHz beacon/repeater/linear translator The 10GHz beacon/repeater/linear translator is not currently running! After it is repaired, you can try your 10GHz rigs of any mode using our combination beacon, repeater, and translator that is on a mountaintop above Fremont. To position your ntenna, use the these coordinates for the exact location:

lat: 37deg 29.905min N
long: 121deg 52.206min W
alt: 2660ft

then listen for the beacon at 10369.150MHz. It is a solid carrier most of the time but is CW modulated every 90 seconds. Once you have peaked your antenna on the beacon, generally select an output frequency around 10369.165 and then transmit 600KHz lower. You can use any mode as this is a linear translator. It can be used throughout the greater Bay area and was S9 in Lockeford in the San Joaquin Valley.
Important! if you don't have a line-of-sight path to the repeater, try listening for an echo off of any mountain that can "see" both you and the repeater. Here are the detailed specifications: