432 AND ABOVE EME NEWS
May 2025
Volume 54 Number 5
Editor: Peter Blair G3LTF
Production Assistance: Frank NC1I & Bob W1QA
NEWS CONTESTS and DXpeditions
G3LTF Editor
Lots of activity this month! The Dx-peditions to Galapagos and to Botswana, Angola and Namibia created a lot of interest and provided new DXCCs to many stations on 23 and 70 cm respectively. A Belgian group briefly activated the island of Guernsey and Alex, EA8DBM, has been on the Isle of Man on 23 cm and is en-route to Guernsey and Jersey as I write this. Finally the Q-Team, HB9COG and HB9CRQ is about to activate Sardinia on 23, 13, 6 and 3 cm. see details below.
There was good activity in the ARI Spring Trophy contest weekend certainly on 23 and 3 cm but the small sun separation, 5 degrees, on Sunday made things difficult on 70 and 23 cm.
Activity was low this year in the Dubus-REF CW/SSB contest, the highest score reported is G4CCH with 11 x 11. There was no activity on Sunday.
The 23 cm SSB Funtest was well supported (more next month) and it got a real boost from the big signal of PI9RD who made 26 QSOs. A pity there was not more US participation. If you were on please send a log to
Contests
The ARRL finally published the corrected results for the 2024 contest, see: https://contests.arrl.org/scores.php?cn=eme
May 31st is the 13 cm Funtest, for rules see the March Newsletter.
June 21st is the 1.2 cm (24GHz) Dubus-REF CW/SSB contest and June 22nd the 3 cm event. Rules are at: http://www.marsport.org.uk/dubus/EMEContest2025.pdf Please also see the clarification in the March NL. Note that on 24 GHz it is allowed to use loggers and chatrooms any time to make skeds.
Dx-peditions
EA8DBM
From May 23 to June 3, Alex plans to activate the 23 cm and 13 cm band on EME in GD, GU and GJ
Antenna: 2.4 m covered with aluminum foil, PA - 500 watts 23 cm, 250 watts 13 cm.
Current updates, changes, and logs will be available as usual on his blog:
https://ea8dbm.substack.com/
The Q-Team
HB9COG and HB9CRG is activating Sardinia from 29th May to 3rd June with a 1.5 m dish and powers of 100, 90, 80 and 50W on 23-3 cm respectively.
29 May (Thursday)
1296.120 Q65-60C 08.00z until 19.45z
30 May (Friday)
2320.120 Q65-60C 09.00z until 20.30z
2304.120 (during W/VE window
QSY will be announced on HB9Q 23xx logger
2301.990 and 2400.100 (on request only)
31 May (Saturday)
5760.120 Q65-60D 10.15 until 21.15z
1 June (Sunday)
10368.120 Q65-60D 11.15z until 21.45z
10450.120 (on request only)
QSY will be announced on HB9Q 10xxx logger
Newsletter Contributions
The Newsletter team wants to see contributions from EME stations everywhere and we know that there is exciting activity from several countries, especially in Eastern Europe, that we are not covering. We have therefore asked Tonda OK1DAI (OK1KIR) to make contact and gather reports from these countries, helping with translation where required. E-mails will be going out shortly.
EME Meet-up at Hamradio 2025
DK0TH Hardy announced an extended opportunity to meet at the upcoming HAMRADIO 2025. Instead of the meeting in front of the QSL wall, this time we have a quiet room for ourselves. The room "London" in the conference center east is available for us on Friday from 12:00 to 13:30 local time. So far, there is no agenda except for a group photo. The possibility to use the presentation technique exists. If necessary, please ask me in time. I would be very happy if the new opportunity would resonate.
EME Database
Jan informs us that the EME database on his website is updated on the 15th of every month:
https://www.pa0ply.nl/eme-directory/
DC1RDB Robert
I have had strange elevated noise levels at specific antenna positions. It turned out they were caused by intermodulation effects from digital audio broadcast signals in my area (thanks to Hardy DK0TE for pointing me in that direction).
Therefore, I am currently experimenting with a new preamp configuration utilizing a lambda/4 coax stub notch at the LNA input to block those unwanted stations in the 200-230 MHz range. So far, the results are looking promising. Additionally, I got rid of some more spurs in the waterfall by placing a USB isolator hub between my PC and the peripherals. Lastly, I upgraded my transmit sequencer so that different antenna polarizations for RX and TX can now be properly sequenced.
I am now pretty happy with my setup and have logged quite a few more initials. One of the highlights was a successful QSO with G0JDL. Thanks John! Initials since last report: JF6CTK, RD3FD, OQ100R, PA6Y, PA3CMC, DF6LH, ON4AOI, DG5CST, K3SK, UA4AQL, GW4ZHI, F2CT, OH3KLJ, PA9R, PA3CHR, G0JDL, F1RJ, DL4DTU, SP2WRH, N1AV, DF3RU, YL2GD, F8DO, OK1IN.
DK3WG Jurg
New ones worked at the end of April and beginning of May:
70cm Q65-B DF6LH, D2TX (DXCC #148), V5/ZS4TX (DXCC #149)
23cm Q65-C HD8G (DXCC #101), I2FAK, W1FKF, G4RFR
DL1SUZ Uwe
Been busy repairing the SHF tropo tower which crashed in March. I have seen on 4th May that BA7NQ reported on HB9Q that his rig for 13 cm is now ready. He made his first QSO with OH3LWP. I changed my feed and transverter-box to 13 cm, but the moon was too low for him.
We made a sked for the next day. Our contact was the 2nd QSO for Terry on 13 cm. So maybe it's a first DL-BY on 13 cm. On VHF-DX Toplist no other contact on 13 cm to BY is reported. BA7NQ has a 2.4 m solid dish and 75 W tx and is working on feeds for 9, 6 and 3 cm.
05.05.2025 14:26 UT BA7NQ 2320.065MHz Q65-60C -20/-19
On 9 cm I worked OH3LWP for init #22
08.05.2025 17:21 UT OH3LWP 3400.120MHz Q65-60D -14/-17
F8DO Marius
QRV on 432 EME with 2x21 el and 400 W. Last month had contacts with DK4RC DL6FH OH3KLJ JO4KPV DC1RDB SM4GGC OZ9AAR S51ZO W6TCP OK1IN and V5/ZS4TX, which seems be the first F / V5 on EME 432.
Looking for a South America station for WAC on 432 Mhz.
G0JDL John
During the last month I was pleased to work nine further initials on 70 cm: DG5CST, EA5CJ, W6TCP, DL4DTU, JO4KVP, DC1RDB, DF3RU, OK1DFC and F2CT. I also had QSOs with a few of the 70 cm regulars including OK1VUM, SM4GGC, OZ9AAR, GD0TEP, ON7EQ and DF6LH. I had been trying to work EA5CJ and F2CT, who both have decent size systems, for a few months but always seemed to have trouble decoding them even when conditions were good and I was decoding much smaller stations and in fact the only time I have heard either station is the one time I have worked each of them.
On April 29th I managed to see my own echoes for the first time. This was almost as exciting as making my first EME QSO! I knew this should have been at least theoretically possible as OZ9AAR’s SimpleCalc app suggests that my echoes would the around -29 dB but I wasn’t convinced that it would ever be possible in practice until it actually happened. EU-EU conditions seemed to be particularly good that day as I was also able to work DC1RDB. Robert’s station is the first 2-Yagi station I have managed to work with my own 2-Yagi setup. Robert and myself have similar antenna systems but he has an extra 3 dB power. I received a -32 report from him and my report to him was -28 so it may have been possible to complete the QSO if we’d both been running the same power as me (200 W) at the antennas. I also decoded Hardy, DK0TE, on a couple of occasions with his 750 W to a single 21-el antenna though actually working him is probably too much to hope for.
Photo shows the echoes received from my own station on April 29th.
G0JDL 70 cm echos
G3LTF Peter
I was active in the ARI Spring trophy contest on 23 cm, working 20 stations on CW. On April 27th I worked IK1FJI, IK3MAC, OK2PE, ON5GS, IK2DDR, G0LBK, DF3RU, SP6GWN, G4CCH, G4RGK, OK1KIR, IQ2DB, OZ6OL, PE1LWT, IK7EZN #559, OK2DL, SM5DGX, SA6BUN, N5TM, and XE1XA. On 28th the sun was too close to work smaller stations on CW and even causing difficulty on my 6 m dish. Sun noise was 23.5 dB with SF156. On 29th I worked on CW, PA2DW, 2m/250W, PE1LWT and DF2VJ.
The 9 cm DUBUS contest weekend of 3-4th May, was just a Disaster! I didn't get the chance to put the gear into the dish until late Friday and found no Tx output. I stated to fault trace early on Saturday but didnt find the fault until late Sunday. It was a tiny short between two veroboard tracks in my 30 v PSU control unit, made about 8 years ago, that caused a regulator in the 10 v psu to shut down... but not every time! In the process of finding this the protection circuit for the Ionica driver got disconnected and so it failed. I do have a spare which I am in the process of testing but the driver is at the bottom of the box so its almost a rebuild. I hope to be back on 9 cm in a couple of weeks.
G3YGF Julian
On Wed 30th April we got our 3.65 m dish going on 1.3 GHz for the first time, with 90 W and a 0.3 dB preamp. We had 15 dB Sun noise, 3 or 4 dB ground noise, and echoes were about 10 db in 6 Hz. We were impressed by the activity levels on 1.3 GHz.
On Q65C/CW we worked: DF2VJ -13/-16 rcvd Q65C, PA3JRK -12/-16 (2.4m/100W), PE1LWT -10/-12 (3m/80W), G4KLX -17/-22 (2.4m/300W), G0HIK -19/-21 (4x23/400W), GM0PJD -11/-12 hisbest -9 (3.8m/400W), DK3WG -10/-14 (3m/400W), G0LBK -10/-11 (4m/400W), OH3LWP -11/-13 (4m/50W), AC2AC -17/-22 (4m/200W), F5KUG -7/-11, G4CCH 579/569, CW, G0LBK 559/529 CW, G4CCH -6/-8, M0FXX -15/-17 hisbest -13 (3m/400W), N5TM -4/-16, W3TI -16/-22 (2.4m/400W), YO2LAM -7/-11 (4.5m dish), VE6TA -8/-12 hisbest -6 (5.5m/600W), KB2SA -8/-15 (1.9m/900W), PA3FXB -11/-12 (2.9m/350W), G4KLX -15/-19 (2.4m/300W).
Then, building on our success, on Sunday 4th May we worked: JA6AHB -10/-12 (7m/500W), UA9FAD -17/-11 (3m/100W), I2FAK -11/-14 (4m/500W), PA3FXB -13/-13 (2m9m/350W), PA0PLY -15/-15 (3m/300W), UA9YLU -16/-12 (4m5/300W), JS6UJS -15/-12, UA1ALD -17/-16 (3m/150W), YU1SAN -13/-15 (3m/300W), OK1USW -15/-14 (3m4/100W), PA1PS -10/-16 (3m/300W), RX6AIA -17/-20, GM0PJD -11/-14 (3m8/400W), G4YTL -16/-18 (3m/200W).
We now have the capability for all bands 1.3-10 GHz, and will be getting 24 GHz working soon.
G4BAO John
On 10 GHz digimode EME I worked 6 more “initials” taking me up to 58. They were, (sent report first) N1AV DM43FG -16 /-20, ON4CDU JO20GS -22/-19, OE5VRL JN78DK -18/-17 OE9ERC JN47VL -12/-17 LZ4OC KN33NG -14/-20 EA1IW IN83AH -15/-19. LZ4OC and EA1IW were new DXCCs on 10 GHz, numbers 24 and 25.
Later in the month I put my 5.7 GHz system in the 1.2 m dish, see picture, and worked Eric ON5TA JO20ES at -14/-15. The QSO was made a few days before Apogee so it just shows that a 1.2 m dish can work at 5.7 GHz. Both of us run 25 Watts, Eric uses a 2.4 m offset dish.
G4BAO 5.7 GHz feed
G4CCH Howard
All QSOs are CW except for those identified by (D) which are digi mode.
23 cm - ARI EME Spring Session Contest
26 April - I2FAK (D) digi #673, IK3MAC, IK2DDR
27 April - IQ2DB, OK2PE, G3LTF, UA9FAD (D), SP6GWN, F5JWF (D) digi Init #674, G0LBK, OK2DL, AC2AC (D), N5TM, WB8HRW, IK5VLS (D), VE6TA (D), K6FOD (D)
30 April - G4RFR CW Init #578, G4RFR (D) digi Init #675
01 May - KB7Q (D), SP4XD (D) digi Init #676, SQ6QV (D) digi Init #677
9 cm
At the weekend I worked 03/05 DF3RU, OH2DG, SP6JLW, SP9VFD, PA0BAT, OH1LRY, OH3LWP, PA3DZL, WA6PY, VE6BGT, and KL6M. Thats 11 in total.
When I started on Sunday, I noticed strong QRM probably from 5G mobile phone systems. That may have also impacted my Moon noise measurements? Found out later that there is now a DATV repeater (GB3CT) line of sight to the 20 miles east of me on 3404 MHz. Not sure if I am seeing noise from that?
Looking back at my notes for the Dubus Contest March 2024, I think my RX was better then. So maybe the recent adjustment to the focus position was a bad move. I need to spend some time trying to figure out why? Checked Sun Noise 20.5 dB (nothing wrong with that Howard...Ed)
23cm
10 May - UA3MRE (D), GU6EFW (D) digi Init #678 and DXCC #136
22 May - K6EME (D) digi Init #679
23 May - MD/EA8DBM (D) -17/-18 digi Init #680 and DXCC #137 OH2DG (D) on 1298MHz and again on 1296/1298 split. OH2DG (D) 1298 MHz and OH2DG (D) 1296 TX / 1298 RX.
I have now implemented an update to my multi band transverter, so I can do 1296 or 1298 simplex, or 1296 TX / 1298 RX split.
G4KLX Jonathan
I had a go in the ARI contest and worked a few new initials, and also found out from a neighbour that I had TVI! It's still not sorted, but I think a masthead preamplifier is being overloaded. The good news is that it is only used for some secondary TVs and not the main family TV which has no interference. This did limit my operation, so I only transmitted when I thought I’d work somebody new. In the contest I worked for new initials I2FAK (#155), G4DDK (#156), KN0WS (#157), PA3HDG (#158), and F5JWF (#159). A gotaway was RX6AIA who disappeared mid-QSO. I also ordered a pair of filters that I hope will fix the TVI issue.
The following week I worked G4RFR (#160), K6FOD (#161), UA1ALD (#162), K6EME (#163). Much to my amazement I heard and worked JA6AHB (#164) when the moon wasn't fully clear of the neighbours (the ones with the TVI) roof and so signals were probably well down on what they would normally be, but I'm happy with the initial. Finally I caught up with RX6AIA (#165) before I closed the system down.
After some great conversations at Martlesham, I have decided to get going on 13 cm EME, albeit slowly. I've already bought a 280 W amplifier pallet, and an SDR suitable for 13 cm. Obviously there is still much to do, but it's a start. I need to do some research in using the pallet, but I believe they are a favourite amongst DATV users, and they hammer them at least as hard as we do. A dish feed and a preamplifier are still needed, as well as mechanical work, but it looks like an achievable goal.
G4RGK Dave
I have been very busy at work this month so not much time for EME, I did manage to get on 23 cm for the HD8G expedition and Bruce was a good signal and easy enough to work. The two expeditions by ZS4TX were also wkd on 70 cm Q65; D2TX and V5/ZS4TX for dxcc 112 and 113 respectively.
Shortly after the last qso the elevation controller failed so fixing that is a work in progress at the moment.
GU6EFW Mario ON4AML
Every year, some Belgian HAM's activate an island and the choice for 2025 was Guernsey. Inspired by the article in DUBUS of Jac, PA3DZL, I decided to build my own single yagi 23 cm eme set-up that consisted of: IC-9700 with 10 MHz disciplined oscillator, an equatorial astronomy NEQ 6 mount, a 43 element YU1CF yagi, a pre-amp with NF=0,3 dB and 30 dB gain and a 200 W (first two days) and 400 W (last day) RF PA.
Murphy was always present and despite a Win10 crash, 230 V power failures, an internet failure, a burnt N connector, he could not withhold me to make make 12 QSOs with following stations in Q65: ON4BCB, ON4AOI, PA3DZL, PA0BAT, UA3PTW, G4CCH, EA8DBM, OK1IL.
Thanks for the patience of the worked stations and credits go to Walter, Guy and Jac for the help, tips and tricks.
GU6EFW 23 cm ant
GU6EFW equipment
IK1FJI Valter
I was QRV for a total time of about 4 hours, Saturday and Sunday morning and worked only in CW/SSB the following stations in the ARI EME contest on 1296 MHz:
IK2DDR, OK2PE, DF3RU, UA9FAD, OH1LRY, IK5VLS, IK7EZN, IQ2DB, IK3MAC, SP3XBO, DJ3JJ, G0LBK, G3LTF, ON5GS and I0NAA (SSB)
Not much activity on CW/SSB but I enjoy the time spent in the contest. 3.85 meter dish, LNA 38 db NF 0.25 TH327 - 1300 watt @ feed.
IZ0JNY Ivan
I would like to report with great satisfaction my first ever decode of a 47 GHz EME signal. Thanks to the test campaign held by DL7YC, CT1BYM, DC7KY, JA1WQF, G3WDG, PA0EHG, EA3HMJ held on end of April 2025, which I was very happy to join.
Of course, there are still a lot of things to be understanded but really nice result at my first attempt on this band, as a starting point on this demanding activity. Setup is a 100 cm Gibertini, LNA DFH47, Kuhne 47G2 and Pickett-Potter 47 GHz feed designed by Jeffrey WA6KBL. Next steps will be implementing a Hughes mm switch on my setup and test with a dual mode feed designed by Luis CT1DMK.
IZ0JNY first day decode
IZ0JNY second day decode
Post-processing files examined by Charlie G3WDG (thanks Charlie for your help!) Show how with two passes you can get an averaged decode, as well as the very flat response of the IC9700’s digital bandpass filter.
IZ0JNY post processing
IZ0JNY 47 GHz Setup
Detailed info on: https://www.iz0jny.it/47ghz-setup/
KB7Q Gene
The end of April and on into May was quite productive on 23 cm. My station improvements helped me add six initial stations for a total of 198. First contacts were W3TI (-26/-25), DM2CFH (-10/-8), PA3JRK (-23/-20), KD2XN (-25/-21), F5KUG (-16/-16), PH0V (-25/-25) and especially nice the dxpedition of HD8G using Q65-120D (-27/-25). 23 others were also logged. The AG6EE preamp continues to impress. I've also been exploring OZ9AAR's SimpleCalc program and the sun noise measuring features are quite helpful.
KD2XN Phil
Since last month’s NL I’ve worked an additional 24x 23 cm EME Q65 QSOs for a total of 54 initials – #54 IK2DDR (-13/-17) and 17 DXCC entities - #17 YU1SAN (-20/-22)! I’m very happy with the performance of my system! The smallest station worked to date was OK2AQ, Mirek – 1.8 m, 200 W. Initial #26 (-26/-23). Was very pleased with this contact – thank you Mirek!!
Setting my sights on the GD, GJ, GU 23 cm EME activations. Best 73’s & GL to Alex, EA8DBM.
Progress on my W6QPL 600 W pallet – includes a 30 dB isolator feeding an RF Detector to monitor RF output as well as remote temperature monitoring of the copper heatsink. Amplifier will be installed at the base of the dish. QSL Direct or eQSL. Please see my QRZ.com page for additional station info. See you on the moon! - Phil
KD2XN 23 cm amp
KN0WS Carl
On 25th April I drove to my remote dish location. It had rained the night before, so I wondered how soft the ground would be. Spring is the worst up there. The soil on that property will not support a cement or a gravel truck, which compromises driving AND erecting dish mounts. When I arrived, it did not look too bad but I almost got stuck driving 300 yards out to my dish. I hoped if it remained dry on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I would have an easier time exiting than I had entering.
My smallest generator had troubles. Fortunately, I could run my 23 cm amp at 300 watts instead of the 500 watts I might try for 70 cm, so I used my usually amplifier-dedicated generator for all purposes.
On 26th April using digital mode 23 cm I worked: W3TI, PE1LWT, ES3RF, DK3WG, IK2DDR, IK5VLS, SA6BUN, G7TZZ, OK1UGA, IQ2DB, K3SK, DF2VJ, CX2SC, N5TM, G0LBK, AA6I, PA0TBR, KD5FZX, VE6TA, KA1GT, VK2JDS, BA7NQ and JA6AHB. I had initials with DM9LSB, G4KLX, RX3DR, I2FAK, HD8G, CX9BT, W1FKF, AC2AC, PH0V and JS6UJS.
Having about 1/3 of my QSO’s still being initials says I am not on the moon enough. Highlights included working IK5VLS on 23 cm for the 11th year in a row (unique for me), getting a report of (-4) from KD5FZX and, of course, working the Galapagos Islands!
On the 27th I powered things up and waited for the moon to clear the trees. The HB9Q logger looked like a good number of new folks were on the band. I anticipated a fun day - then it started rainining only about 5 minutes before I would have had the moon. New rain on top of the existing mud might have stranded me there for all week! So I quit the EME before I even got started, sped through tear-down and prayed. I indeed almost got stuck in several places, so think I made the right call. This summer I will have the sad task of dismantaling my broken 20 foot dish and the more useful task of modifying my 16 foot dish feeds and feed holder to accommodate 70, 23 and 13 cm bands. Then I hope I have better luck for the Fall ARI and the Fall ARRL contests. See you then!
I think you can see my axle-deep wheel ruts from space.
KN0WS wheel ruts
One laptop for WSJT, one for MAP65, a tablet for HB9Q internet logger (since nothing else there connects to internet) and my “spare” laptop briefly running EME Planner. They all provide illumination and heat in a dark tent ;-)
KN0WS shack in a tent
NC1I Frank
23 cm initials since my report last month include SP4XD (-16/-11, 2-meter dish & 180 watts), G1LYB (-12/-14, 3-meter dish & 250-watts), MD/EA8DBM -12/-20 for a new DXCC, I2FAK (-02/-01, 4-meter dish & 500-watts), HA5UA (-23/-21, 1.5-meter dish & 100-watts), and OZ5TG (-07/-03, 4.5-meter & 200-watts).
70c cm initials since my report last month include OE5KE (-17/-19, 2 x 14 elements & 500-watts ). This was Adolf's first 70 cm EME QSO and he is horizon only. WW2DX (-17/-12, 4 x 15 elements and 170-watts), W7AAC (-23/-22, 4 X 15-elements & 75-watts), D2TX DXpedition (-17/-12 for a new DXCC), V5/ZS4TX (-10/-24 for a new DXCC), KJ4YZI (-25/-24, 1 x 30-elements CP & 50-watts). This was Eric's first EME QSO. OZ7UV (-23/-17, 4 x 27-elemets & 50-watts). This was Svend's first 70 cm EME QSO. 9H1BN (-20/-20, 2 x 18-elements & 50-watts).
Over the last month I completed four 70 cm EME QSO's with Nic G3YEG. This brought us to 41 QSOs over the last two years. Nic runs a single yagi (most often just 9-elements) in his attic and a maximum of 55 watts. We have completed several QSOs at much lower power on his end including one where Nic only had five watts at the antenna!
Thanks to Bernie ZS4TX for his very successful activation of three new countries on 70 cm, I was lucky enough to complete with him at all three locations. Thanks also to Alex EA8DBM for his MD/EA8DBM activation. I hope to complete with Alex as he activates several other DXCC entities in the coming weeks.
NN3Y Nick
I built my 70 cm station a few years ago which includes 4X19 HPOL element LFA antennas at 30’ above ground, dual BFL888A,1 KW capable, running at 800 W home brew SSPA linear, 22 dB Gain 3.1 NF LNA, VK5DJ AZ/EL based home brew controller with YAESU 2800 for AZ and Linear actuator for full 90 degrees EL. Initially for a rig I used Yaesu FT736 and later upgraded to IC9700. I had operated successfully until early 2025 when I experienced HIGH SWR SSPA shutdown. The problem was traced to water damage on the phasing cables at the antenna terminals. It took four NEW phasing cables and rotating the antennas 180 degrees, so the terminals are facing upward and the phasing cable downward to minimize the water intrusion in to the cables. Just before the ARI 2025 spring session I was back QRV on 70 CM.
Unfortunately, during the first day of ARI due to the proximity of the sun with the moon most of the EU stations were facing high noise and I was able to complete only two QSO’S. Next day of ARI after completing two more QSO, Murphy stopped by and took my LNA which put an end to my 70 CM activity for the event. The LNA was eventually replaced and I’m back QRV again on 70 cm.
As of couple of years ago, I started seeing decline in activity on 70 cm and rising popularity on 3 cm, so decided to try the 3 cm band. Started with Prodelin 1.2 m Dish, KUHNE MKU10G5 TVR, WG75 waveguide relay, DU3 28 db, 0.55 NF LNA and 15 W SSPA, Home Brew DB6NT based Moon/SUN noise meter. After the initial success and completing 3 QSOs, I decided to upgrade the system to 35 W and introduce SDD3 dual slew drive rotator with home brew RazTrack controller.
I also added Carsten’s (OZ9AAR) Remote PA Monitoring module which allows me to monitor the entire 10 G block. With the upgrade including the precision movement of the slew drive, the RazTrak controller, I managed to make another 20 flawless QSOs with the system. During the 2025 Spring ARI EME contest I managed to complete 16 QSOs on 3 cm. Most of them were 3 m and up stations but several were 1.8 m 20-30 W stations with great reports. Currently working on remote switching TX/RF frequency from 10368 to 10450. I’ll be reporting the results after the next moon opportunity.
NN3Y 3 cm dish
NN3Y 70 cm array
NN3Y shack
OH3LWP Ari
I was active in ARI spring contest 27/4/2025 on several bands and completed 32 QSOs as below:
10 GHz: IW2FZR digi, OZ1LPR digi, OZ1LPR cw, ON5TA cw, ON5TA digi, OZ1FF digi, OK2AQ digi, G4YTL digi, IK6CAK digi, OE9ERC digi, LZ4OC digi, DL6SH cw, DJ7FJ digi, OZ1FF cw, KM0T digi, ON4CDU digi, CX2SC digi
5.7 GHz: R5AN digi, WA3RGQ digi
2.3 GHz: SP3XBO cw, IK3COJ digi, KN2K digi, NX9O digi, G4SDG digi, W5LUA digi
1.3 GHz: IK2DDR digi, IK7EZN digi, N5TM digi, G0LBK digi, I2FAK digi, G7TZZ digi, IQ2DB digi
I was also active in 3.4 GHz DUBUS-REF CW/SSB contest 3/5/2025 and completed 9 random CW QSOs as below:
G4CCH, PA0BAT, PA3DZL, OH1LRY, OH2DG, SP6JLW, DF3RU, SP9VFD, WA6PY
Nice activity on 2.3 GHz outside contest as well. Completed the following digtal QSOs:
4/5/2025 BA7NQ
24/5/2025 OK1KIR, IK3COJ, DL1SUZ
25/52025 HB9Q, PA3DZL, OK1DFC
On 1.3 GHz highlights were expeditions to HD and MD. Completed digital QSOs with HD8G 25/4/2025 and MD/EA8DBM 23/5/2025.
OK1DFC Zdenek
I haven't been very active over the last month. I made a connection with D2TX in the 432 MHz band, which brought me a new DXCC #149 and a few more new initials. I spent a lot of time preparing for the 33rd EME and MW meetings, see group picture, and I'm still working on equipment for the 47 GHz band. I finished a few adjustments and the last measurement I took on May 24 at 14:30 UT with the Moon at an elevation of 26° was 11.6 dB Sun noise and 1.4 dB Moon noise.
I have a new feed, optimized for my offset antenna, from CT1DMK and I still need to make a few adjustments to the placement of the equipment in the focal point, see picture, I hope that after properly focusing the antenna, I will be able to improve the parameters measured today. More information about the preparations for the 47 GHz device can be found on my website https://www.ok1dfc.com in the 47088 MHz section.
OK1DFC MMW 2025 group photo
OK1DFC 47 GHz feed from CT1DMK
OK1KIR Vlada
During the weekend of ARI EME Contest we made on 23 cm with Q65-60C on Apr 26 following QSOs: RX3DR, BA7NQ, RW9OG, DM9LSB, PA0TBR, DH2ES #623, DL8MAI, UA1OEJ, HG5BMU, I2FAK #624, YO5TP #625, HD8G (15DB/16DB) as repeated previous QSO on May 20 (18DB/16DB) but w/o ground noise, W3TI, SA6BUN #626, AC2AC #627 and on Apr 27 added QSOs with SP4DX #628 and PA1LWT. With CW we worked on Apr 26 only OK2PE and on Apr 27 IK7EZN # 524, G3LTF, DF3RU, IK3MAC and G0LBK.
In the following week we were concerned mainly with the 70 cm expedition of ZS4TX in Africa. On May 3 while waiting for expedition we worked with Q65-60B at 11:29 JH7XWF #368 and later at 13:07 D2TX (16DB/19DB) #369 as new DXCC #136 and JH field #83 mix. Just after Bernie we added OK1IN as #370. On May 4 at 18:40 we worked PJ4MM (15DB/12DB) with RX/TX on Vpol (totally nil on Hpol!), #371, new DXCC #137 mix and later at 20:02 added QSO with OZ9AAR as #372.
On May 8 while searching for V5 trace we suffered from terrible noise background increase (up to 40 dB above noise of 50Ω load) due to low Moon elevation and direction towards Prague capitol. Due to that we worked V5/ZS4TX not earlier than at 15:44 with Q65-30B as #373 at reports (18DB/19DB) having Moon all the time close to our horizon. At time of QSO the overall system background noise decreased to some 4 dB above noise of switchable load 50Ω, i.e. to over 700 K. That corresponds to NF of about 5.5dB, actually RX was worse than at a terrestrial QSO!
OK2AQ Mirek
ARI EME Trophy Spring 10 GHz, April 26 - 27, 2025
Nice spring weather on the weekend 26-27 April, when ARI EME Trophy spring part of the contest was held, promised good participation, which was also confirmed. Both monthly windows were during daylight hours, with no need for overnight stays. However, this resulted in little separation between the Sun and Moon, especially on Sunday. On the lower bands, this certainly bothered, especially stations with smaller antennas. On Sunday the separation was between 4 and 10 deg. The beam width of my 1.8 m antenna at 10 GHz is 1.1 deg, so the separation was sufficient.
The multipliers in this contest are Italian stations, so it was a surprise that only IW2FZR appeared on CW on Saturday (he was working remote and digi could not work in this mode). On Sunday, however, the situation changed and Q65 worked another four I stations. IK0HWJ, who was not on the logger, complied and after a request on a digi contact “PSE CW 080”, switched to CW, where we also made a brilliant QSO. A number of new tags have appeared and the trend of small stations with 1 - 1,2 m antennas and 10 - 20 W power mostly with hand routing continues. It then depends on the skill of the operator and mainly on the “real parameters” of such a station whether the contact will succeed.
The day after the contest I made a QSO with SO5AZ {#165} with 1,2 m offset and 10 W, Q65-120E mode and the next day with PA0JOZ {#166} with 1,2 m and 15 W, standard Q65-60D mode. In the contest I made a total of 5 CW and 29 Q65, for a total of 34 QSOs and 2688 points. Q65 initials were OE9ERC, SQ9ATC, DL6SH, N1AV, OH3LWP, N6RMJ, NN3Y and CW DL6SH and ON5TA (#40).
On line log can be seen here: https://www.radio.feec.vutbr.cz/esl/files/EME/LOG/EME_LOG_10G.htm
ON5TA Eric
Very nice activity on 10 GHz during the ARI Spring Session. Made a total of 35 QSOs, 6 of them in CW. I also spent some time on 6 cm but activity was low, made only 3 QSO's.
On April 30, a very nice surprise was the appearance of Petros SV3AAF on 3 cm, new DXCC and 1st ON/SV on 3cm.
Another good surprise was an easy 5.7 GHz QSO with G4BAO on May 6. John was running 25 W into a 1.2 m dish, the smallest station contacted so far on 6 cm, with reports -14/-15, (Smallest on 3 cm is still NJ6D 10 W / 76 cm). I have abt 25 W on 6 cm and a 2.4 m offset dish.
OZ9AAR Carsten
Since I started on 70 cm EME, I'm now up to 129 initial stations, new stations/callsigns worked since last report: K3SK, OQ100R, ES3RF, PA0GRU, A21TX, DL4DTU, OK1IN, NN3Y, D2TX, OK1KIR (our last EME QSO was 30 years ago) and PJ4MM.
Some of the highlights for me was working Bernie ZS4TX in three different DXCC over two weeks. When Bernie was in A21, the QSO with him was very quick and finished within a few minutes. In D2, it was a bit more difficult at first, but in the end it all turned out great! In V5, I struggled with a lot of noise for 5 hours (due to azimuth direction), but also that turned out positive. After the QSO, Bernie was a constant -20 dB here for a very long time.
Also very happy to see the final results for the ARRL 70 cm EME contest last year, big congratulations to Mila OK1VUM with the first place, and also to Mick VK2CMP and Stig SM4GGC with their 2nd and 3rd places. I came in 4th just one multiplier short of Stig :) I had not expected the contest to end so good for me, really happy for that, and for the many contacts (and initials I made) during the contest, great fun!
Still trying to make my way around all the noise sources on 70 cm here, I very well remember why I abandoned 2 M EME back in 1999 and get on 23 cm, things have certainly not improved with regards to noise since then!
Mechanics for my 4.8 M dish (tower, elevation parts, etc.) and a 4.8 meter dish kit should arrive anytime now (all from Zdenek OK1DFC). This means I can hopefully get on 23 cm again (will also in time, add 70 cm to the dish). Currently building PAs for both 23 cm and 70 cm. All cables, connectors etc. have been secured, foundation and cable trench/pipe for the dish is finished as well as a lot of other small things.
My webpage is being updated as the dish project progresses:
The dish: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/ham-radio-current-systems/4.8m-eme-dish.html
PA for 23 cm: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/23cm-600w-power-amplifier.html (picture attached)
PA for 70 cm (combining 4 DVB-T modules for 1 KW): https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/260w-dvbt-pa-module-for-70cm-use.html (picture attached)
New projects are being added to my webpage frequently (with details so you can build them yourself!), currently working on:
Driver (or final) 150 W PA for 23 cm: https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/23cm-150w-affordable-power-amplifier.html
450 W attenuator/dummyload with -30 to -40 dB coupling output, f.ex for use on isolation port of hybrids, can be used to give an alarm (I will be using my Dual RF Head for this) if something goes wrong.
70 and 23 cm low power (200 W / 50 W) 90 degree hybrid couplers:
https://www.moonbounce.dk/hamradio/low-power-90-degree-hybrid-couplers-for-23cm-and-70cm.html (picture attached)
My SkyScanner application have been updated with a new feature, "Export for polar plots", this exports data in a CSV files that makes it easy to make polar plots of data measured (picture attached).
I still have a couple of QRO 90 deg. hybrids for 70 cm and 23 cm available (and the new "low powered" ones), as well as some of my other projects. Most of these products can be found here: https://www.moonbounce.dk/forsale.html
OZ9AAR 23 cm PA module
OZ9AAR 70 & 23 cm hybrids
OZ9AAR 70 cm 1KW PA DVB T modules
PA3DZL Jac
Great activity from Bernie, ZS4XT activating Botswana, Namibia and Angola. All were 3 new DXCCs for me both on 2 m and 70 cm, MANY THANKS Bernie you did a great job.
Great activity from Mario, ON4AML from Guernsey Island as GU6EFW running with a small antenna yagi. Nice job from the Belgium IOTA Team.
PA3DZL 432 Mhz (April 22nd up to May 5th)
Wkd: OK1IN #, A21TX # and DXCC #82, DF6LH, IZ6MVK, DC1RDB, SP2WRH, PA2CHR, OK1VUM, SM4GGC, 4Z5CP, OH3KLJ # from KP21, F2CT, VK2CMP, OZ9AAR, W6TP, ON7EQ, F8DO, NY1V, N8LRG #, F1RJ, NN3Y, JG2XWH #, D2TX # and DXCC #83, EA5CJm DA1ROD special callsign 100 years IARU (DL8DAU stn) and V5/ZS4TX # and DXCC #84
PA3DZL 1296 Mhz (May 8th up to May 9th)
Wkd: GU6EFW # and DXCC #115, also I2FAK # nice to meet Franco on 23 cm for the first time, we had many QSOs on 2 m.
PA3DZL 3400 Mhz (May 3rd Dubus CW Contest)
Wkd in CW: SP9VFD, SP6JLW, DF3RU, OH2DG, OH1LRY, PAØBAT, G4CCH, OH3LWP # from his new QTH KP11XK and WA6PY ... not as much activity as in the years before! Wkd in Digi mode: OZ5G
PA3DZL 10368 Mhz (May 4th up to May 8th) running my 2nd Rig with 25 W SSPA and 3.7 m Solid Andrew dish
Wkd: SV3AAF # and DXCC #42, DJ7FJ, ON5TA, N1AV #, CT2GUR, K5DOG, IK6CAK, KMØT, JA1WQF X-band, LZ4OC, G4HSK, AO1100IW special callsign 100 years IARU (EA1IW stn), IW2FZR, IZ4BFA, PAØBAT, OH3LWP # our 5th band, OE5VRL # and VK7ZBX
The 10 GHz QSO with Rudi, OE5VRL was special because we made this QSO running H to V polarization! The Dpol was only 2.5 deg. We exchanged -20 and -18 reports and were amazed that it was so easy. We used Q65-60D CFOM. Rig OE5VRL H-pol 3m/20W and Rig PA3DZL V-pol 3.7m/25W. There is still a margin of about 10 dB as you see, so with a smaller dish it's also possible!
VK2CMP Mick
One of the best things about last years EME conference was the dinner on the Saturday night. Paul HRO had one of his folding dishes in the foyer and I made sure that I had a look at the dish with my YL, being sure to mention that we needed one for our new 4WD. Needless to say many months later when it was suggested that this could be a good present I placed the order before the end of the conversation.
Roll forward and I am now building a portable 1296 Mhz station. I have nearly completed a W6PQL 600 W PA. I was originally going to make a KISS version but as I have also a use for a monthly 23on23 net from home I am making the full featured PQL PA. As I have had great success with Tommy AGO’s LNAs on 70 cm I ordered a couple of 23 cm main and spare AGO LNAs for the setup. Zdenek has also sent a Septum feed down under.
I plan to have the build complete and tested sometime in June. It’s really only for portable use as I do not have a location for a dish at the home QTH. I’m hoping to be able to power the portable setup using batteries but will have to give it a try and see how feasible this is. I also only have my old work Mac laptop that I need to see if I can use for portable use to avoid having to buy another laptop. All my current EME activity has been using a shack PC.
I have been out in the 4WD camping for 6 weeks and seem to have missed a lot of DX. I did however just get home in time to work Bernie in D2TX and V5/ZS4TX for new DXCCs as well as OK1IN and DF6LH for new Initials all on 70 cm.
ZS4TX Bernie
Operated from three countries between April 23 and May 9:
Botswana as A21TX from KH22
Angola as D2TX from JH74
Namibia as V5/ZS4TX from JH70
The main aim of this trip was to activate Angola on 70 CM EME and, as far as could be determined, was the first 70 CM EME activity from Angola. Special permission for the operation had to be obtained well in advance as 70 CM is not a default band allocation available to Radio amateurs in Angola.
The following operators made this trip possible with their kind contributions: PA2V, PA3CMC, ZS6JON, W6TCP, NC1I, PA3DZL, DL1VPL, SM0KAK, PA0BAT, YO4GJH, VK2CMP, GD0TEP, CT1FCX, F2CT, OE3NFC, G4SWX, K6UFO, OH4LA, IZ8EDJ, PA5Y, JH0BBE, PA3FYC, SV8CS, PA3FWV, DK3WG, ON7EQ, OE3JPC, DF2ZC.
A total of 130 contacts were made during the 3 full days of 70 CM activity. Stations who worked all 3 entities on 70 CM include HB9Q, NC1I. PA2V, OK1VUM, ON4AOI, PA0BAT, PA2CHR, PA3CMC, PA3DZL and ZS6JON.
Equipment: IC9700, G4DDK LNA and 2 x M2inc 9WL antennas.
A more comprehensive report of the trip, including details of the 2 M TEP and 2 M EME operations, will be published in DXNews and the SARL’s Radio ZS.
EME DXpedition to the Galapagos Islands
Journey of Challenges and Triumphs
HD8G Bruce PY2BS
The Dream Realized
For years, I’d dreamed of participating in an Earth-Moon-Earth DXpedition. In 2016, I took the first step by acquiring a 250 W SSPA module from Bert PE1RKI. But the missing piece was always the antenna: I needed a dish that was lightweight, compact for travel, and easy to assemble.
Last year, the puzzle finally came together. I discovered Paul W2HRO’s ingenious foldable dish design and managed to bring one back to Brazil after a family visit to the US. The final piece — Zdenek’s compact septum feeder — arrived just days before departure. The timing was perfect, as my friend Alex PY2WAS invited me to join his Dxpedition team to Galapagos. I didn’t hesitate!
The Journey to Paradise
Reaching the Galapagos was an adventure in itself: three flights (São Paulo → Santiago → Guayaquil → Baltra Island), followed by a bus ride to a ferry port, a boat crossing to Santa Cruz Island, and finally a long drive across the island to the tourist hub in the south. Baltra, home to the archipelago’s airport, is a small flat island with the airstrip and transit infrastructure.
Station Setup: Triumphs and Troubles
We set up the EME antenna on a raised platform in front of the balcony of the operating room, which housed three HF stations. The dish had a clear view of moonrise but was blocked by the building at moonset side—a limitation we’d later tackle.
Then, disaster struck: in the rush to pack, I’d left behind the GPSDO antenna, critical for stabilizing the IC-9700’s frequency. Without it, EME operations would be severely compromised. Thankfully, Paulo PV8DX (our SAT operator) tracked down what might have been the only suitable GPS antenna on the island—and convinced its owner to lend it to us. Crisis averted!
Midway through the operation, I realized that as the Moon’s declination shifted north, relocating the dish to the northern side of the platform could provide moonset side visibility and opening paths to Asia and Oceania. The move worked out—but the cables no longer reached the original operating room next to the HF one. Solution: we squeezed the EME station into the already crowded HF room, threading cables between radios and operators.
Results and Reflections
Despite the hurdles, we logged 132 QSOs with 100 unique callsigns, exceeding my expectations. Duplicates spiked during Saturday’s ARI contest, and the final tally was good. The final contacts came just as we began dismantling the station for the long time journey home.
QSOed were: HB9Q PA3DZL OK1KIR ON4AOI F5KUG DG5CST IK3COJ ZS6JON IK2DDR OK1UGA OK1DFC PA0BAT G0LBK IK7EZN G4CCH EA8DBM PE1L OK2DL DL8YHR CT1FFU W5LUA N5TM CT1WO K5DOG N1AV K3SK AC2AC W2HRO KB2SA UA3PTW PA0PLY OK1VUM SM5DGX OK1IL RW6HM DL4DTU YO2LAM DK4RC NC1I CX2SC W3TI KG0D AA6I PA0TBR SP5GDM SA6BUN SM6CKU DL7UDA GM0PJD DL8FBD DK3WG OK1USW ES3RF G4YTL DF3RU IZ8GGF DM2CFH DK0ZAB PI9RD VE6TA KB7Q VK2JDS JA4LJB JJ3JHP JQ3JWF JH3AZC JS6UJS VK3WRE G4RGK UA9FAD RA4HL DL6SH RD4D PA7JB RX3DR DF2VJ PE1LWT DJ2DY N6RZJ OH3LWP DK0SF DL9SDL KN2K W1FKF W2LPL VK4CDI JA6AHB PA3FXB UA3MRE F1RJ KN0WS IQ2DB I2FAK PA3HDG IK5VLS YL2GD ON5GS KD5FZX KA1GT and DF7KB.
This DXexpedition embodied the true spirit of ham radio: friendship, collaboration, and on EME the thrill of chasing signals up to 397,000 kilometers. My deepest thanks to the DXpedition leadership, our Ecuador’s friends/hosts, the entire DXped crew, and everyone who worked HD8G — you made it unforgettable!!!
For more info about HD8G DXpedition please check: https://hd8g.com
HD8G QTH
HD8G 2.4 m portable dish
HD8G dish at night
HD8G portable EME dish