23cm activity session

Well over a year ago I bought a 2W 23cms transverter that I intended to use /P in the 23cm activity sessions. As it has been so wet, I have yet to do this. Perhaps later?

I was only going to go out very locally, but on higher ground.

23cms in 2024

Where did 2023 go? 

Earlier this year I bought a 2W 23cm transverter and my intention was to go /P in some UKAC activity contests. I have not been out /P once! Maybe in 2024?

On EI7GL's blog, there is some encouraging news about the 23cm band.

23cm

This was a band new to me, so a little while back I invested in a transverter from SG Labs in Bulgaria. It is well made and seems to work well. Several people had recommended this 2W transverter.  My idea (when the weather gets better!) is to use it /P from a hill in the RSGB's UKAC activity sessions on 23cm.

Someone very kindly sent me a 3 element yagi, that needs a proper test - thank you so much.

Some people take the band very seriously with high power and big antennas. With these, some incredible distances can be regularly spanned on SSB. As you can tell, I am just "dabbling".  I want to try 23cms without doing much!

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .

Kindness

To avoid embarrassing him, I shall not reveal name or callsign. 

Completely out of the blue, someone sent me a 3 element PCB antenna for 23cm. It was a TOTAL surprise!  Thank you so much.  The antenna will get well used.

In my experience, radio amateurs are a kind, thoughtful and warm-hearted bunch. The spirit of amateur radio is alive and well.   If you can make somebody happy by an act of random kindness, please do so. This is what life is truly about.  In my time I have been at the receiving end of such kindness several times and it means so very much.

Thank you again!

In my experience there are far more kind people in the world than bad ones, it is just that kindness is not newsworthy!

23cm SSB sked with G4BAO

This was very successful. John gave me an RS58 report which was very satisfying for 2W indoors to a 2 el yagi indoors. John suggested an FT8 test at some point in the future, which I shall do. Aiming the small beam in all sorts of directions made little difference on John's signal.

23cm SSB sked

Assuming G4BAO confirms, my intention is to have a 23cm sked on 1296.2 MHz SSB at 1430z today. As yet, he has not confirmed!!

UPDATE 1650z: We are trying at 1430z on Friday March 31st on 1296.2 MHz SSB. 3.30pm BST.

23cm QSO this week?

If he is around, I may try a 23cm SSB QSO with G4BAO. John has a superb 23cm station, so I should certainly be able to copy him. 

My station has an ERP about 40dB less than his. I hope he can copy me! I am still using 2W pep to my 2el beam pointing out of the shack window.

23cm aircraft scatter

It looks like my best chance of copying beacons on 23cm is via aircraft scatter. This is reflection off aircraft in the correct part of the sky. I have not tried this yet. 

I am told that using software like Airscout allows one to predict when paths might be possible. 

Of course, this is no guarantee of success, but at least tells you when it is worth a try. I have no idea how strong such signals might be. Based on lower frequencies, I would expect such signals to be quite good. I expect there would some Doppler as the plane is moving across the sky. I guess how much depends on the path and plane direction.

This should be interesting. I wonder which beacons I can see? From here, I hope I can see the beacons on Dunstable Downs and at Martlesham Heath.

23cm beacon hunting

Last night I went beacon hunting on 23cm with my tiny indoor 2 element beam. I monitored GB3DUN on Dunstable Downs for several minutes. This is probably my best chance of copying a 23cm beacon.

Just occasionally there was a very brief signal that may have been this beacon. It was there for (at most) a second, then was gone. The direct path is very obstructed and my only real hope is by aircraft scatter. The impression I got was this was not aircraft. I have no idea if you get MS on 23cm.

Other beacons I also looked out for on my waterfall, but nothing was seen.

23cm webpage added

As I have started my adventure on 23cm, it seemed the right time to add a webpage about 23cm on my website. Many are dead serious about the band with big antennas and high power. I am only playing!

As you know, I am using the transverter from SG Labs which looks well made. Several people have these and are pleased.

Yesterday was my first ever 23cm QSO.

See https://sites.google.com/view/g3xbm4/home/vhfuhfmicrowaves/23cm .

UPDATE 1406z:  I tried to see if there was any sign of the 23cm beacon on Dunstable Downs GB3DUN on 1296.890 MHz. Nothing at all was spotted despite moving the antenna around to try to detect it, perhaps by a reflection off something. From here, this path is well obstructed. I assume it is on the air. The Martlesham beacon GB3MHZ on 1296.830 MHz is on the wrong side of the house, so I think I have no chance. I shall have a go though later.

23cm SSB sked (Monday) - success!

At 1430z today, I have a sked with G6UW/G3ZAY on 1296.3 MHz SSB. Martin is in Cambridge (far side).  At the moment, I am still using the 2 element test antenna indoors pointing out of the shack window.

UPDATE 1535z:  We made it!  This was my first ever QSO on 23cms. No great DX, but so important to me. This proves the 2W 23cm transverter works on TX and RX, but I must get a better antenna for /P work later in the year.

23cm - partial success

Although I got no FT8 decodes, my 23cm QRP signal did make it to the QTH of G4HJW, despite double glazed windows, bushes, a shed and 2 hills! I am sure on a less obstructed path I would succeed. Tomorrow I have a USB sked with G6UW in Cambridge.

The second photo shows the 2 element antenna firing through the shack window.

Local 23cm FT8 test Sunday

 Subject to the main person in the test Bernie Wright G4HJW agreeing, these are my plans:

• 23cm FT8 TX (2W), Sunday afternoon Jan 22nd, 1630-1700z.
• Horizontal polarisation.
• 1296.065 MHz USB dial (audio offeset about 1950 Hz).

23cm FT8 test

Only one local can TX on 23cms apparently. My best hope of a 2-way SSB QSO looks like G4BAO, but I get the impression John is away. Several locals can listen, but not TX.

So, my plan currently is to TX FT8, probably at an agreed time on Sunday and monitor PSKreporter. I am not expecting QSOs! Even to get a spot would be pleasing, HI.

23cm local skeds needed

Last night, in the 23cm activity contest, I heard and worked nothing! I am hoping for some local skeds to prove all is well. 

At the moment I only have the 2el test antenna pointing out of the shack window. My shack is on a "hill" (which is a relative term in East Anglia!) and 2W.

23cm activity contest this evening

My first test on 23cms TX will be tonight. I have only got the 2 element test antenna and 2W PEP, so I hope I can copy (and work?) any locals that may be on, otherwise I shall have to set up some skeds. 

All is set up. In the past my only (ever) outing on 23cms was on RX only with a borrowed converter and homemade 4 el yagi. Like then (1970s?), everything is indoors firing through the shack window.

These tests are all in the shack. Later this year I hope to try some /P on 23cms.

See https://www.rsgbcc.org/cgi-bin/contest_rules.pl?year=2023&contest=uhfukac .

Plans for the day (Tuesday)

 Today, I plan the following:

• 8m QRP FT8
• 10m QRP WSPR TX
• 23cm local tests ( I think tonight is the 23cm activity contest).

23cm

Apart from an evening on RX about 40 years ago, I have never been on this band. 

As reported yesterday, my 2W transverter has arrived from Bulgaria. I now have to work out what leads I need initially from the home QTH. 

Some take the band very seriously with large antenna arrays and high power. In my case, I shall have a very small station and shall be extremely pleased to work a few locals. In better weather next year, I shall try some /P operation from a local highspot.

It is a new challenge quite unlike anything I have done so far.

23cm transverter has arrived

This came today from Bulgaria complete with a small test 2el antenna. Once I work out what leads I need, I shall try some tests with some locals.

There was, thankfully, no duty to pay.

As you can see in the photo, it is very small for 2W PEP.

23cm transverter

According to my tracker, this arrived in the UK on October 24th. It has still to be delivered. It is now November 3rd.