432 AND ABOVE EME NEWS
June 2025
Volume 54 Number 6
Editor: Peter Blair G3LTF
Production Assistance: Frank NC1I & Bob W1QA
NEWS CONTESTS and DXpeditions
G3LTF Editor
May was a very busy month on EME with two dx-peditions on the microwave bands, one to Sardinia and the other visiting some of the islands around Britain, GD, GU and GJ. In addition there was a 23cm “pop-up” dxpedition to GU, Guernsey, and another in Japan on 13 cm.This activity pretty much crushed the participation in the 13 cm Funtest but the 23 cm one was fairly well supported.
If you took part in either of the Funtests please send me your log by June 30th.
We have reports on all of the dxpeditions below.
Many congratulations to Miguel CT1BYM on his first 47 GHz QSOs with DL7YC and RW3BP, see the pictures of some really fine engineering.
Congratulations also to Mike KL6M on making the first QSOs from Alaska on 3 cm.
Moon Ephemeris Charts
We need a Software developer to step up to continue the production of the Moon Ephemeris charts see https://eme.radio/2025-moon-ephemeris. These charts are invaluable for planning contests and activity days and spotting the best operating periods at a glance. They were started many years ago by Frank F5SE (SK) and then JJ, F1EHN (SK) took over and produced them in a very similar format. It would be extremely useful if they could be continued.
Arecibo Anniversary
On July 5th it will be 60 years since the second activation of the giant dish on 2 m and 70 cm. Lots more stations were ready this time compared to the 1964 event. We will have a brief look-back in the next issue but if anyone out there participated and/or has memories of that, please write in.
DL7QY SK
We learned from Rainer, DF6NA, the sad news that DL7QY died on June 1st. Claus was one of the founders of DUBUS and very active on microwaves. He was also active in the early days of 70 cm EME.
Contests
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.
July 19th is the final section of the Dubus-REF CW/SSB contests on 6 cm.
DX-peditions
Alex EA8DBM has obtained permission for operation from the Principality of Monaco on June 20–24th. The operation will take place on the 23 cm and 13 cm bands and equipment and antenna setup will be the same as in previous expeditions.
For more details, updates, logs, and photos see https://ea8dbm.substack.com/p/3a2eme-jn33-monaco
CT1BYM Miguel
It is with great joy that I report my first contacts at 47 GHz via lunar reflection! They were made in Q65-60E digital mode, taking only 6 minutes each, quite easy!
On 27 May, the first QSO was made with Manfred, DL7YC, (-16, -15).
On 28 May, two more were made: DL7YC (-15, -16) and RW3BP (-17, -15).
Due to the intense heat here (40ºC), the QSO with Sergei was made with only 10 W on the feed.
My setup: 120 cm offset parabolic antenna, 17 W SSPA, 1.8 dB LNA.
My system has hundreds of hours of optimisation behind it and nothing has been left to chance. With the new feed developed by Luis (CT1DMK), I have already achieved a solar noise of 12.3 dB and a moon noise of 1.7 dB. This is what is essential: optimising the system! With a good system, everything becomes easier! For about a year, Manfred (DL7YC) and I (CT1BYM) conducted tests covering virtually all EME propagation conditions. All of them yielded positive results!
The SSPA has 4 x APN318 in phase and was made through a partnership between Manfred (DL7YC) and Sergei (RW3BP). It is water-cooled! I am immensely grateful to Manfred for lending me the SSPA, the only component missing from my setup. Everything else was already present in all the tests. It made no sense to test a system that would not be used in the future!
My advice? Be bold enough to think outside the box and don't be afraid to test, test, test...
CT1BYM 47GHz complete setup
CT1BYM 47GHz dish setup
CT1BYM 47GHz feed
DC1RDB Robert
By working Martin PJ4MM, I completed WAC for 70 cm EME (mni tnx Martin!).
In preparation for a local field day planned for end of July, I have been setting up a portable EME station consisting of an 8 el YU1CF yagi with a 0.5 dB NF LNA on a little 3D printed AZ/EL rotator, and my trusty old barefoot IC-910, which delivers around 60 Watts at feedpoint. Power comes from a 12 V / 100 Ah LiFePo.
On the first test QSO I received Frank NC1I at B -16 and Frank reported B -22, which clearly exceeded our expectations and gives confidence that the field day demonstration should work with this setup. Thanks for helping me, Frank!
Happy to share details about rotator and controller, just email me.
Initials since last report: PJ4MM, G4YTL, PI9RD
DC1RDB portable antenna
DC1RDB AZ EL rotator
DK3WG Jurg
New ones worked by DK3WG (JO72GI) at the end of May and beginning of June on 23 cm mode Q65-C: OE5VRL, GD/EA8DBM (DXCC), KD2XN, PE9GHZ, K6EME, JA4LJB, OZ5TG, AG7CM, MJ/EA8DBM (DXCC), IS0/HB9COG (DXCC), N0LWF, MU/EA8DBM (DXCC#105).
F8DO Marius
I worked on 432 MHz in May PA2V, OK1IN, GW4ZHI, OZ9AAR, SM4GGC, W7TZ and PJ4MM for South America completing my WAC on 432 with my QRP station.
EA8DBM Alex
At the end of May, I took a short week-long trip around the British Isles — GD, GJ, and GU. The weather was excellent — not too hot, not too cold, but very windy almost the entire time, which of course caused some challenges.
In the past, when my dish was covered with just fabric, the wind would inflate it, distort the shape, and significantly reduce the gain. Now, with an aluminum foil cover, the wind load hits mostly the small travel rotator, which takes quite a beating.
In total, I made around 300 QSOs, all on the 23 cm band.
Unfortunately, my 13 cm feed patch never worked. I’m now pinning my hopes on a new portable septum feed, designed and built by Zdenek OK1DFC — I hope to test it during upcoming trips.
Throughout the expedition, I used the new WSJT-X version 8, which supports split operation up to 30 MHz. I tested this feature with OH2DG (Eino) using TX 1296.100 / RX 1298.100 — and it worked flawlessly. However, there's a small catch: after disabling split mode, you must uncheck the Split box, then disable "Doppler Tracking", restart the program, and then re-enable Doppler Tracking. Otherwise, Doppler tracking will stop functioning properly.
This spring, before the trip, I changed my operating style: I now have the full station set up inside my van — amplifiers, transceivers, everything securely mounted. This way, I no longer need to rent a house on Airbnb that has antenna space and clear azimuths to the east and west. Now I can park and operate almost anywhere — it’s a game changer!
My battery bank (totaling 10.5 kWh) easily powers a full moon pass with 500 watts output. If I run at 200–250 watts instead (which is usually enough), I can operate for two full days. A solar panel on the roof provides 400–450 watts of charging in sunny weather.
This summer and fall, I hope to visit several more countries where 23 cm activity is limited. I’ll be active when the Moon’s declination is high — around the 20th of June, July, and August, and around the 10th of September, October, and November.
You can follow the schedule in my DX blog (or better yet, subscribe so you don’t miss any updates):
👉 https://ea8dbm.substack.com
EA8DBM mobile station in a van
EA8DBM mobile antenna control and laptop
G0JDL John
During the last moon cycle I was able to work four initials on 70 cm: GW4ZHI, G4YTL, OK1IN and PJ4MM. I also had QSOs with OE3JPC, ON7EQ, DF6LH, GD0TEP, PA2V, NC1I and PI9RD however there seemed to be lower activity on the band last month. I was really happy to work PJ4MM in Bonaire. I had been trying to work Martin, without success, for a few months but we finally managed to find the day when good conditions and Q65 averaging worked perfectly to allow us to complete a QSO. This was only the second time I have managed to work a two-Yagi station, though Martin’s are certainly larger than most at 38 elements! I've also been trying to complete with Marius, F8DO, who also has a two-Yagi system but one that isn’t much bigger than my own. We’ve had several attempts but so far we haven’t managed to work each other.
A few weeks ago the quite popular “eloranta” website, which gave basic graphical information on moon azimuth and altitude, went dead and it looks as if it’s going to stay that way. As I had little else to do on windy and rainy weekend I decided to have a go at designing a similar site. The problem I had is that I can’t code in HTML so I got ChatGPT to do the work for me. After a bit of effort and many mugs of tea I’ve finally ended up with something that seems to work pretty well. My first attempt was only accurate to within ±3° and moon rise and set times were as much as 20 minutes out. I tried another AI model (Perplexity) and this succeeded in changing the code to use a more accurate algorithm (Montenbruck and Pfleger’s if anyone is interested) and gives results that are normally accurate to within 0.5° when compared to VK3UM’s software but on occasion can be as much as 1° different. The moon distance and declination still don’t quite agree with VK3UM but my figures are more or less identical to those in SM5CUI’s MoonTracker app. I’ve tried to add Sun-Moon angular separation but I’m still stuck on this, with the figure being incorrect by as much as 20°. I think I may have to look into the workings of the algorithm and/or check the mathematics in the code to find out why the figure is so far out.
The first time you enter your home locator it will be saved on your computer. If you enter a DX station the moon azimuth, elevation and other data for that station will also be shown. You can look up to 3 days ahead and when you do this the moonrise, moonset and common moon windows will change as you move your cursor over each graph. Hovering the cursor over a graph will show azimuth and elevation for that particular time.
The site can be found at https://moon-elevation.tiiny.site/ and I hope a few people find it useful.
G3LTF Peter
I operated in the 23 cm Funtest on May 24th and worked PA0PLY on CW and then, on SSB, ON5GS, RX3DR, UA3PTW, SA6BUN, PA7JB (CW/SSB), SP6JLW, PI9RD, OK2PE, DL4DTU, G4CCH, ON4BCB and OK2DL. In the following week I rebuilt the HA drive (again) but this time I was able to get two critical pieces welded and reduced the backlash considerably.
On May 30th I was on 13 cm and worked SP6JLW (SSB), and on CW OK1DFC, SV3AAF, and PA7JB. On May 31st I was on for the 13 cm Funtest and worked G4CCH on CW and then on SSB followed by PI9RD, SP6JLW, SP3XBO, PA0PLY (CW/SSB), CT1DMK, and PA0BAT. Sorry that I did not find any US stations in either of the Funtests.
I did not need to trouble the IS0/HB9COG team for CW QSOs on 23 and 13 cm as I remembered that I had already worked IS0 on 70 cm - 13 cm on Zdenek’s trip there in 2011. https://www.ok1dfc.com/peditions/IS0/is0.htm However I decided to have try at working them on 6 cm as I’d worked their 1.5 m dish system several times previously on 6 cm CW in other locations. By the time I had everything changed over from 13 cm the wind had increased and was blowing into the dish and despite the HA drive improvements it was very difficult to keep the dish (0.6 deg beamwidth) on the moon but when it was they were a nice 549. Thanks to HB9COG’s excellent CW operating we made the QSO, #105 and DXCC #42.
I am now working on improving the stability of the declination control and starting to rebuild my 9 cm system.
G4BAO John
I was very pleased to work Mitsuo JA1WQF this month on 6 cm Q65 for initial #23 on the band and my second QSO with him after completing on 3 cm earlier in the year. Remarkable in that my Moon window to the east is severely blocked by trees in full leaf, meaning just a two hour maximum, window to Japan at maximum declination each month.
I was recently offered a replacement TWT for 24 GHz that I plan to collect from John PA7JB during our holiday in the Netherlands in June, so I'm hoping at some point to complete on a third band with Mitsuo-san.
I have been cursed with bad luck with TWTs without making a QSO on 24 GHz so far. The first, 2 years ago suffered an unexplained filament failure and the second went low power after the PSU failed. Maarten ON/PA0MHE has kindly repaired the PSU for me so I'll try again!
I worked the Q team DXexpedition to Sardinia on Q65 on two bands, 6 cm and 3 cm during the weekend. Signals were marginal both ways, but not surprising considering the use of a 1.5 m dish in IS0 and a 1.2 m dish here. Initial #24 on 6 cm and #59 on 3 cm. This was followed by DL1SUZ for initial #25 on 6 cm.
The weekend finished with initial #60 on 3 cm in the shape of OK1KKD.
G4CCH Howard
24 May on 23 cm SSB - SA6BUN, G3LTF, ON4BCB, OK2DL, PI9RD, I2FAK - on CW Initial #579, KL6M
28 May on 23 cm MJ/EA8DBM (D) digi Initial #681, OZ5TG (D) digi Initial #682, AG7CM (D) digi Initial #683, N0LWF (D) digi Initial #684, IS0/HB9COG (D) digi Initial #685, WW2DX (D) digi Initial # 686
30 May on 23 cm MU/EA8DBM (D) digi Initial # 687
On 13 cm I had to wait for the rain to stop before I could swap the feed to 13 cm - LA3PNA (D) digi Initial #054, OH3LWP (D) digi Initial #055, IS0/HB9COG (D) digi Initial #and DXCC #026 - 056. Dan had bad wifi QRM so CW was impossible, PA7JB (D) digi Initial #057
31 May on 13 cm BA7NQ (D) digi Initial #058, G3LTF, G3LTF (SSB), JO1ZRX CW Initial #141 (copy was very difficult due to really bad wifi QRM on 2400 MHz), JO1ZRX (D) digi Initial #059, PI9RD (SSB), SP6JLW (SSB), SP3XBO, SP3XBO (SSB), PE1LWT. JO1ZRX was a team including students using an IC905 2 W out to an 11 m dish.
On 6 cm OK1DFC (D), OZ1LPR (D), IS0/HB9COG (D) digi Initial #026 and DXCC #018, W5LUA (D), ON5TA (D), OE9ERC (D) digi Initial #027. I was using a DU3T LNA for the first time, as all my homemade G3WDG lna’s had bad Noise Figures when tested at the Martlesham round table. I need to do more testing to verify the performance of my setup on 6 cm.
04 June on 6 cm SV3AAF (D)
G4KLX Jonathan
Unfortunately my TVI still hasn't been cured so my operation was curtailed on certain days during this moon window. However what activity I was able to do was worthwhile.
23 cm initials for me were: DG5CST (#166), AG7CM (#167), AA6I (#168), RA2FGG (#169), OZ5TG (#170), PE1CKK (#171), IS0/HB9COG (#172), RW6HM (#173), N0LWF (#174), RD4D (#175), KC2HFQ (#176), MU/EA8DBM (#177). I heard Alex in Jersey but didn't call him, my loss. I heard nothing from him on he Isle of Man alas. There were a few other non-Dxpedition getaways that I hope to work in the future.
I won't be active for the moon window at the end of June due to being in southern Germany, including a visit to Ham Radio and meeting many EMErs on the Friday there. I may be able to get active for one day towards the end. I have a shopping list of RF items, probably from the flea market, to enable progress on becoming active on 13 cms. Last year the show was invaluable for sourcing a number of important items for my 23 cms EME system, and I hope the same is true for 13 cms this year.
G4RFR - G3YGF Julian
On Wednesday 28-5-2025, on 10368 MHz with 200 W, we worked OK1KIR -3/+3 (4.5m/50W). Then on 1296 MHz with 90 W, we had a good session, working SA6BUN -8/-7, NC1I -3/-5 (6m1/500W), DL1HUH -5/-1 his best -2 (10m/280W), PE1CKK -12/-17 (1m8/300W), F1RJ -10/-11 (3m8/250W), UA9FAD -13/-10 (3m/100W), M0FXX -10/-17 (3m/400W), UA3PTW -1/-7 (5m8/1000W), KB7Q -15/-20 (2m4/400W), DL8FBD -12/-16 (3m/200W), MJ/EA8DBM -22/-25 (2m4/400W), DJ2DY -17/-23 (3m/250W), OE3JPC -17/-21 (2x56ele/400W), PA3DZL -5/-10 (4m/800W), OK1VUM -7/-11 (4m4/300W), OK2AQ -17 sent/-19 (1m8/200W), SM5DGX -1/-7 (8m/TH347), N1AV -10/-15 (4m2/500W), DJ7FJ -12/-16 (3m3/250W), DL1SUZ -11/-18 (3m/300W), K6EME -19/-19 hisbest -15, K6FOD -12/-18 (2m4/290W), IS0/HB9COG -19/-24, KG0D -13/-18 (2m4/600W), AA6I -9/-15 (2m5/300W), KH6FA -16/-16 (2m4/400W), DF2VJ -15/-15 his best-11 (2m6/360W) and WW2DX -19/-21 (2m4/250W).
On Sunday 1-6-2025, on 10368 MHz with 200 W, we worked SA5IKN -20/-8 (0.9m/27W), IS0/HB9Q -11/-6 (1m5/50W), G8RWG -19/-4 (1m2/10W) and DK4RC-12/-5 (3m5/25W). We then changed to 2320 MHz with 70 W and worked PE1LWT -17/-20 (3m/80W) and SP3XBO -10/-14 (3m6/350W). Then back to 10368 MHz with 200 W we worked UN6PD -19/-10 (2m4/25W), SV3AAF -17/-6 (1m8/20W), OK1KKD -11/+3 hisbest-6 (3m8/27W) and CT2GUR -8/-2 (2m3/15-100W).
On 24 GHz, we have seen 9.5 dB Sun noise with a 1 dB NF Preamp with the 3.65 m dish. We are now addressing the Tx side.
G4YTL David
I started on 432 in 2000 with 6x11 wavelength DJ9BVs, and my first QSO, in CW of course, was with OX. As CW activity declined, and with wind damage to the very large/heavy array, and increasing digital activity, I downsized to the present 4x22el Powabeams, and 600 watts. Whilst not avidly chasing WAS over the years, I realised that it was an achievable aim thanks in large part to the roving activities of KB7Q and KA6U. I'd been waiting over a year to get the 50th State, KS, and achieved that a few days ago with WQ0P. He had made a huge effort to set up and array with two 13WL yagis and 150 watts, and we succeeded after several hours of trying over several days. Previously completed WAS on 144 and 1296.
1296
3 m mesh dish and 160 watts
As for most other operators, the highlight of the recent cycle was working Alex, EA8DBM, in GD, GJ and GU. That brings me up to DXCC 97, and I guess 100 will be achieved soon, on Alex's next mammoth trip.
10,368
1.8 m solid offset dish and 20 watts
Two highlights for me, on June 1st, IS0/HB9COG for DXCC 31. Then completed with SA5IKN with his 90 cm dish and 27 watts for #100
G8RWG Niels
Last year, having spent almost 30 years on 2 m EME, I started putting some equipment together for a small 10 GHz EME station, as ever increasing noise levels make 2 m EME much harder these days. During the ARRL contest in August / September I successfully received several EME signals on 10 GHz using a 1 m steel offset dish and over the winter months I added a slew drive, KN3G controller and Arduino based sequencer.
Last month I upgraded to a 1.2 m fibreglass offset dish and have now completed my first 10 GHz EME QSOs mainly using Q65-60D and a few with Q65-60E.
22 May OZ1FF -13/-20
23 May ON5TA -12/-15, F6BKB -15/-18
25 May ON5TA -16/-19, G4YTL -16/-22
29 May PA3DZL -15/-24, OZ1LPR -3/-23, OK1KIR -8/-20, PA0BAT -10/-20, PA3DZL -14/-19, KM0T -14/-21
1 June G4RFR -4/-19
2 June OE9ERC -10/-23, IK6CAK -12/-16, IW2FZR -13/-19, PA3DZL -14/-14
On 29 May Tsun/Tsky 9.5 dB, SFU @ 10 GHz = 140 and DL0SHF was -2 around 13:00 UTC, the strongest I’ve ever seen it.
1 June was a frustrating day as I copied 15 different stations including IS0/HB9COG but struggled to complete any QSOs. It was only later on that I discovered one of the IF relays had an intermittent fault.
Equipment: 1.2 m offset dish, 10 W, DU3T LNA – full details on https://g8rwg.uk
G8RWG 10GHz bench
G8RWG 10GHz dish
G8RWG 10GHz sun noise 20250529
G8RWG OZ1FF QSO
GW4ZHI Bryn
I have improved my 70 cm 8 x 12 EME system by the addition of a much better LNA and also lower loss cabling between the PA and the antenna. The results so far seem to indicate that the improvements have been worthwhile.
My most exciting news however is that after years of contemplating becoming active on 23 cm EME - not helped by the uncertainty caused by Galileo, I have at last bitten the bullet. I have bought a 2.4 m RF designs dish kit from a ham in Norway and I now need to knuckle down and assemble it. All being well I should be QRV from GW land on 23 cm by the end of the year. (You’ll be in high demand Bryn - Ed)
I2FAK Franco
I am happy to announce that after 40 years of EME activity on 2 m I am active also on 23 cm. My equipment: 4 m stainless steel dish 0,5 f/d AZ and EL movements with 9 inch slewing drive units, RA3AQ feed, LNA G4DDK and VHF design, Kune transverter and home made SSPA 500 w at the feed, an RA3AQ design.
I started from Spring ARI Trophy contest April 26/27 not full time but I was satisfied with the result, I closed with 68 QSO in digi, unfortunately I was not qrv in CW for a technical problem and I missed this mode, too bad.
Contest QSO :
IK7EZN, RX3DR, RA4HL, OK1KIR, IK2DDR, ON4AOI, PA3FXB, PA0TBR, G4KLX, G7TZZ, PE1LWT, G4CCH, IK3COJ, CX9BT, DL8FBD, UA3PTW, DK3WG, N5TM,DF2VJ,KN0WS, W2HRO, HG8G, AC2ACA, OK1IL, W3TI, PA3HDG, I0NAA, OK1UGA SA6BUN, IK5VLS, F1RJ, DF3RU, AA6I, W1FKF, G0LBK, KD5FZX, K3SK, PH0V, YB2MU, JA6AHB, IQ2DB, UA9FAD, RA4HL, UA9YLU, UA9FA, ON5GS, UA1ALD, G4RGK, DK0TE, ES3RF, F5JWF, IZ8GGF, M0FXX, SM5DGX, CX2SC, W2LPL, G4DDK, SP5GDM, KC2HFq, OH3LWP, IU4MES, OK1USW, OK1VUM, VE6TA, K6FOD
New initials after the test:
02/05/25 JS6UJS, 9H1BN, PA0PLY, G0HIK,
03/05/25 G4YTL, GM0PJD, F5KUG, DJ2DY, UN6PD
04/05/25 JA4LJB, BA7NQ, YU1SAN, PA1PS, G4RFR, PA3JRK
09/05/25 PA3DZL, PA3EXV, EA8DBM, PE9GHZ
23/05/25 MD/EA8DBM, OK2AO, DJ7FJ, DL1SUZ, DG5CST, DL1HUH, OE3ERC, NC1I, ZS4TX
24/05/25 KB7Q, PY2BS, N0CTR, K6EME, KN2K, DL4DTU, AA5C, RD4D, RA2FGG, KG0D, KD2XN, PI9RD (SSB), G4CCH (CW)
25/05/25 OE3JPC, HG5BMU,LA3EQ,OL730PLZ,ON5MU,KH6FA , KL6M (CW)
28/05/25 MJ/EA8DBM, HB9Q, OZ5TG, RA9FLW,PE1CKK, AG7CM,N0LWF, KB2SA, K5DOG, N1AV, IS0/HB9COG
30/05/25 VK2JDS , MU7EA8DBM , DM2CHF, JH3AZC, SM6CKU, DK4RC, RX6AIA, CF1FFU (DXCC#41), ZS5Y, W5LUA, W2ZQ, K8ZR
31/05/25 SQ6QV
This is all so far. I don't have deep experience on this band but from the results the setup seems working.
Attached you can see some pictures the dish is 70 meters away from the station in the house.
(Welcome to 23 cm and the NL Franco, hope to work you soon on CW. Ed)
I2FAK 4m dish
I2FAK 4m dish close up
IS0/HB9COG Sam + Dan HB9Q
Team: HB9COG Sam, HB9CRQ Dan & Sue
QTH: JM48jv, Chia, Sardinia
Results:
23 cm: QRV time 15.5 h
109 initials in a total of 204 QSOs. All QSOs are in Q65C.
28 DXCC - Station worked by DXCC: DL1HUH, G4CCH, SA6BUN, NC1I, PY2BS, ON5GS, RD4D, GMØPJD, PA3JRK, OK2DL, OE9ERC, SP5GDM, UA9FAD, I2FAK, OH3LWP, KH6FA, JA4LJB, LZ4OC, ZS6JON, VK2JDS, F1RJ, OZ5TG, ES3RF, CT1WO, SV3AAF, EA8DBM, XE1XA and HB9Q
6 continents
Smallest station worked: PE1CKK, 1.8 m offset dish 300 W, -21/R-24
13 cm: QRV time 7 h
15 initials in a total of 17 QSOs. 15 QSO Q65C and 2 CW.
10 DXCC - Station worked by DXCC: OK1KIR, PA3DZL, OH3LWP, BA7NQ, SL1SUZ, JA8ERE, OE9ERC, G4CCH, OK3COJ and HB9Q
2 continents
Smallest station worked: BA7NQ, 2.4 m solid dish 100 W, -22/R-25
6 cm: QRV time 8.5 h
29 initials in a total of 31 QSOs. 28 QSO Q65D and 3 CW.
16 DXCC - Station worked by DXCC: PA3DZL, UA3PTW, JA1WQF, OE9ERC, OZ1LPR, OK1KIR, SA6BUN, DL4DTU, IK3COJ, ON5TA, OH3LWP, LZ4OC, G4BOA, SV2AAF, W5LUA and HB9Q
3 continents
Smallest station worked: G4BAO, 1.2 m solid dish 22 W, -24/R-18
3 cm: QRV time 9.5 h
43 initials in a total of 45 QSOs. 43 Q65D, 1 Q65E and 1 CW.
17 DXCC - Station worked by DXCC: OK1KIR, VK7ZBX, DL3WDG, PA3DZL, OZ1LPR, ON5TA, EA1IW, JA8ERE, G4RFR, LZ4OC, CT2GUR, SA5IKN, IW2FZR, OE9ERC, OH3LWP, W5LUA, HB9Q.
4 continents
Smallest station worked: SA5IKN, 0.9 m solid dish 27 W, -20/-20
We are very happy with the total result of 196 initials and 297 QSOs. The only disappointment was, shortly after our moonrise we got jammed by heavy QRM. Despite all efforts, we could not find the source of it. So, we lost a lot of moon-time and could not work several of the QRV stations. We apologize to all waiting to work us.
Many thanks to all supporters and all stations being QRV to work us. It was a great pleasure to be QRV from Sardinia for all of you.
QSL policy: QSL only direct including SAE to: Daniel Gautschi, Sonnhangstrasse 31, CH-6205 Eich
IS0 HB9COG 6 cm
IS0 HB9COG 13 cm close up
IS0 HB9COG 3 cm close up
JO1ZRX - JR7GDU Masa
(Jan PA0PLY sent us this information from Masa JR7GDU, member of JO1ZRX - many thanks Jan. Ed)
The JO1ZRX group were using an 11 m dish, which is normally used for Radio Astronomy but the group asked for permission to run on 2400 MHz. The permit was only for Saturday May 31st and they used an IC905 with preamp and 2 Watt output.
The dish is owned by National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). It had been used for VLBI measurement and it will be disassembled sometime in this June. The group got special permission from NICT to use it for EME before its shutdown. So this was our first and last chance to do it.
The group consists of university students mostly experienced with CW, but no experience on WSJT-x or EME. They managed to make 4 QSOs; 2x CW and 2x Digi mode.
JO1ZRX shack
JO1ZRX 11 m dish
JO1ZRX team
K8ZR Tony
My preamp failed during the second leg of the ARRL EME contest six months ago and as a result I had not been QRV on 23 cm since the failure. Motivated by the IS0/HB9COG Dxpedition I replaced the device and was rewarded by making 28 QSOs over the four-day period of the last weekend in May/June 1st. Initials (all digital) include: IS0/HB9COG, AG7CM, PA3EVX, AC2AC, OH3LWP, SA6BUN, I2FAK, PA1PS, OK1VUM, KD5CHG, PH0V, SP3TLJ, IZ8GGF, KH6FA, KN2K, ZS4TX and OZ5TG. I did have a few decodes of MU/EA8DBM but no QSO. On 23 cm: 250 watts & 3 meter TVRO dish. Since March 2008 my 23 cm totals are now at 44 CW initials & 132 digital initials. Any QSOs before January 2017 were as WA8RJF. Slowly making progress on 5.7 GHz & 10 GHz EME with a 1.8 meter off-set fed dish.
KB7Q Gene
Late May was a very good time for 23 cm EME after some repairs and updates. I replaced the clamping collar on the 2.4 m folding dish that I shattered last month, replaced a suspect LMR-400 jumper, and upgraded my TX line to 7/8 inch Heliax. That along with running my cables away from the opening in the dish’s septum feed, as suggested by LB6B, made a significant difference.
I took advantage of excellent band activity and worked 20 new folks to bump my initial count to 217 stations. New folks for me: I2FAK (-18/-18), PE9GHZ (-20/-24), KN2K (-22/-32), PA1PS (-21/-20), OZ5TG (-21/-20), RA2FGG (-17/-18), OL730PLZ (-17/-15), K6EME (-21/24), ON4MU (-32/-26), AG7CM (-18/-20), MJ/EA8DBM (-26/-30), SA6BUN (-12/-10), G4RFR (-19/-15), PA7JB (-18/-15), WW2DX (-25/-24), PE1CKK (-18/-20), IS0/HB9COG (-26/-25), I5YDI (-19/-17), KC2HFQ (-26/-27), MU/EA8DBM (-28/-30).
It was a delightful 3 hour chase stalking IS0/HB9COG and finally working them. The trick was to find a transmit spot where the elephants (big stations) weren’t! A 2.4 m to 1.5 m dish contact is always very rewarding, especially as IS0/HB9COG was running only 100 watt.
MU/EA8DBM was a tough nut to crack, but Alex finally took pity on me and moved to Q65-120D and we completed easily.
KB7Q MU EA8DBM contact
KD2XN Phil
Since last month’s NL I’ve worked an additional 23 23 cm Q65 QSOs for a total of 67 Initials – #67 PA3EXV (-16/-21) and a total of 20 DXCC entities – DXCC #19 PY2BS (-10/-13) and most notably DXCC #20 IS0/HB9COG (-26/-23) – to date, the smallest station worked – 1.5 m Dish + 100 W! What a GREAT QSO! Many thanks to Sam and the Q-Team!
Now the BIG GUN – I worked PI9RD (ex-PI9CAM) (-6/+00) Q65-30B for Initial #59! The Dwingeloo radio telescope is 25 m and I believe the station was running 150 W! https://www.camras.nl/en/ . Also heard - OK2DL, Marek, calling CQ during the 23 cm SSB FUNTEST – nice signal Marek! Progress on my W6QPL 600 W pallet continues. QSL Direct or eQSL. Please see my QRZ.com page for additional station info. See you on the moon! – Phil 73
KD2XN IS0 HB9COG QSO
KD2XN some QSLs I received
KL6M Mike
I finally made a couple QSOs on 10 GHz EME. I'm using a homebrew transverter (see picture) and under illuminating my 9.2 m dish. I worked OZ1LPR and PA3DZL using Q65. I wanted the first KL to be CW but my system needs much more work to optimize.
I would have made more Q65 QSOs but I blew a fuse in the GaN amplifier. It quit transmitting in the midst of a QSO with OK1KIR. My CAT is not working so I had no Doppler correction. At that frequency Doppler can be >12 kHz, so it can be nearly impossible to find someone without accurately predicting frequencies. So on the HB9Q logger I just told the stations that I am phase locked to 10368.085 MHz on both RX and TX and it was all sorted out at their end. I'm working feverishly to have the feed optimized before Dubus on 22-June when I hope to work some 3 cm CW!
(Well done Mike - first QSOs from KL7 on 33, 13, 9, and 6 cm and now 3 cm added. Ed)
KL6M 10 GHz transverter
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 raining 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 dismantling 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!
KN0WS wheel ruts
I think you can see my axle-deep wheel ruts from space.
KN0WS shack in a tent
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 ;-)
N1AV Jay
I have been fairly busy on 23 cm and 3 cm stations over the past month. My 3 cm EME station is at a point where I am working any station that I can hear. In May and the start of June I have been very productive on 3 cm, working all the usual suspects on the 10 GHz HB9Q page.
Stations worked in May/early June on 3 cm EME. (RX signal included): PA7JB -12, DL4DTU -11, PA9BAT -11, IS0/HB9COG -18, OK1DFC -11, VE6TA -21, OM4XA -27, OK1KIR -7, ON4CDU -21, W3SZ -17, DL6SH -09, PE1MMP -17, IW2FZR -21, PA3DZL-13
At this point I have worked several 1 m dish and 10 w stations as well off the moon - so I have a REQUEST for many 10 GHz EU stations, please stay on the moon LATER! There is 10 GHz life out here in the western US past Texas, and we are working on getting a few more capable stations up and running in AZ and CA. We would love to work you! (That applies to all the bands, not just 10 GHz!)
I was excited to work the HB9 crew in IS0 on both 1296 and 10 GHz. That crew always puts a great portable station on the moon. It is always nice to work EA8DBM on 1296 travels and read his stories. I am glad I was able to get him in his last three island locations. Several new 1296 stations in the US have added to the log count, most of them using folding dishes or converted TVRO dishes to get on the band. It is great to see all the new domestic activity on 23 cm.
13 CM - I have been making improvements to the 13 cm station. I currently have the 1296 feed out of the dish and the 13 cm septum feed is in. I would love to set up some skeds to work ANYONE on the band. 2320 RX or 2304 RX - I can do both. I decided to focus on some 13 cm improvements when I opened the relay/lna box on the 144 MHz EME array, and a bird flew out! Upon inspection I found a nest and 4 eggs. UG. Now I need to wait until they hatch before I clean out all of that mess and get 144 MHz working as it should!
If we find the extra time this summer, I might be able to finally get the other dish operational for 3 and 5 GHz EME. Other projects are stealing my time at the moment.
N1AV offset dish
NC1I Frank
Since my report last month, I have added the following initials:
70 cm: DG1GHY (-25DB/-26DB) 1 x 21 - elements and 50 watts. DO1UTE (-25DB/-17DB) 1 x 21 - elements and 50-watts.
A highlight on 70 cm last month was a QRPP QSO with DK0TE. Hardy was running his usual 1 x 21 - element yagi but with just 9 (nine) watts. He was not using a preamp and estimated his system NF to be 8.5 dB. It was a very easy QSO completed in the minimum amount of time with no repeats (once correct polarization was established). Reports were -31DB/-25DB. Hardy's best was -30 dB. I was at my normal power level, around 900-watts.
On 23 cm: MJ/EA8DBM (-20DB/-23DB), G4RFR (-05DB/-03DB), N0LWF (-12DB/-01DB), IS0/HB9COG (-12DB/-09DB), MU/EA8DBM (-14DB/-17DB) for a new DXCC, and SP2WRH (-25DB/-23DB). SP2WRH was running a single 38-element loop yagi and 50-watts.
My activity over the last four weeks has been limited due to conflicts and thunderstorms often coinciding with good moon conditions. Unfortunately, the long-range forecast is for more thunderstorm activity mid to late June.
Thanks to EA8DBM and the HB9Q/HB9COG group for their very successful DXpedition activities! I am looking forward to Alex's upcoming 3A2EME activation.
NN3Y Nick
As planned by Mitsuo Kasai (JA1WQF) on June 1st at 02:45 Zulu, the sked on 3 cm went on. As promised by Mitsuo, his friend Mikio Terui (JA8ERE) logged on HB9Q and within a few minutes we were able to compete a 10450/10380 MHz QSO between JA8ERE and myself.
Shortly after Mitsuo logged on, I was able to copy his CQ but due to the extremely short window of opportunity, we were unable to complete a QSO. The reason for such a short window was the obstacles on Mitsuo’s moonrise and the ground noise below 18 degrees on my moonset. That QSO proved that my modification on the Kuhne 3 cm 5G transverter worked out. I’m sure if there were other US station further west of my QTH they would have been able to work him es well.
Grant (VE6TA) had joined us on the HB9Q logger and he was able to copy the entire QSO as well as Mitsuo’s CQ but was unable to complete QSO. Unfortunately, JA hams are faced with their rain season, just like we are with the Atlantic hurricane as well as south Florida rain season that prevents us planning any such sked in the near future.
As I mention in my previous post, I was able to replace the four phasing cables and got back QRV on 70 cm as well. Shortly after completing few QSOs, my SWR on 70 cm went up again. This time was a burned “N” connector on the TX line at the antenna array. That was another proof that “N” connectors maximum RF on 432 is 800 W. Already purchased a replacement DIN 7/16 connectors to replace that last “N” connector on my TX line. Weather permitting, I should be QRV on 3 and 70 cm as early as the upcoming weekend starting June 20th.
NN3Y 10 GHz JA8ERE WSJT
OH3LWP Ari
Nice activity on 13cm/6cm/3cm towards the end of May. Completed the following QSOs during last week of May:
10 GHz:
26/5/2025 VE6TA digital
28/5/2025 OK1KIR digital, OK1KIR cw, W4AF digital, N1AV digital
29/5/2025 W5LUA digital
1/6/2025 IS0/HB9COG digital, OK1DFC digital, OK1KKD digital, PE1CKK digital, PA7JB digital
2/6/2025 IK6CAK digital
5.7 GHz:
29/5/2025 UA3PTW digital, SA6BUN cw
31/52025 IS0/HB9COG digital, JA8ERE digital, OK1DFC digital, PE1CKK digital
2.3 GHz:
27/5/2025 BA7NQ digital, PA3EXV digital
28/5/2025 LA3PNA digital
29/5/2025 F1RJ digital
30/5/2025 IS0/HB9COG digital, OE5VRL digital, IK3COJ digital, JA8ERE 2400/2320 cross band digital, OM0MS digital, PA3DZL digital, G4CCH digital, SV3AAF digital, PE9GHZ digital, PA7JB digital, G4DDK digital
31/5/2025 PE1LWT digital, SP3XBO digital
On 1.3 GHz highlights were expeditions to MJ, MU and IS0. Completed digital QSOs with MJ/EA8DBM 28/5/2025, IS0/HB9COG 28/5/2025 and MU/EA8DBM 30/5/2025. Also 1.3 GHz KH6FA digital QSO 26/5/2025 was a nice one.
OK1DFC Zdenek
The expeditions of Alex EA8DBM and Dan HB9Q generated a lot of activity on the bands, so there was plenty to do during the excellent conditions that prevailed on EME. Thanks to the possibility of operating both a large and a small antenna at the same time, I combined operation in the 23-13 cm and 6-3 cm bands. There was really a lot to do. This time, Mr. Murphy took a vacation somewhere far away, so apart from minor problems after reinstalling WSJT version 2.8, everything was functional and fine. I must say that the changes made in version 2.8 are absolutely excellent and take this phenomenal software another step forward.
Alex's expedition around the British Isles began on the Isle of Man. Alex was QRV as MD/EA8DBM. Unfortunately, the trip was accompanied by unfavorable weather and Alex struggled with strong winds. This is a big problem for his “umbrella” antenna, and so signal leakage for stations with smaller antennas was deadly. This time, Alex was weaker than usual for me as well, and I was normally decoding him at around -18 to -24, when I usually get -8 dB. On the Isle of Man, the wind even tore off his antenna anchor, and the antenna fell about 1 meter and broke one rib. This resulted in another problem with geometry and direction. The situation on GJ and GU was similar, only the weather was better and Alex didn't have to fight the wind. Otherwise, I heard him for the first time on 13 cm, but unfortunately we couldn't connect because Alex had problems with the RX part. Let's hope that the next part of his EU tour will be more successful. I finished the septum feed for his “umbrella” dish, so I'm curious about the results.
The IS0/HB9COG expedition, as someone already wrote before me, was a different story. Dan HB9Q and his team used a tried and tested small 1.5 m antenna with mesh and on bands from 23 cm to 3 cm (with the exception of 9 cm, which is not allowed on IS0) they worked with just about everyone who wanted to make a connection. The IS0 expedition improved my DXCC score on both 6 and 3 cm, since I don't spend much time on the 6 cm band, I was able to work with new DXCC LZ, SV and ON during the IS0 expedition. By spending quite a lot of time at the equipment, I managed to work with many other stations, which increased the number of my initials on bands from 23 cm to 3 cm. But now I am preparing again for the DUBUS contest, which will be held on June 21st and 22nd on the 24 and 10 GHz bands. Another EME check day is also planned for June in the 47 GHz band. A complete overview of what could be done on the bands is in the log excerpt below. I am only listing initials, I worked over 150 stations in total over the period.
432 MHz: D2TX #577 JT and #149 DXCC, G0JDL #578, DA1ROD #579, V5/ZS4TX #580
1296 MHz: MD/EA8DBM #647JT, IS0/HB9COG #648, KD2XN #649, OZ5TG #650, K0DSP #651, MU/EA8DBM #652
2320 MHz: OH3LWP #93JT, IS0/HB9COG #94, BA7NQ #95, OM0MS #96, LA3PNA #97, PE9GHZ #98
5760 MHz: IS0/HB9COG #49 and #30 DXCC, DL4KGC #50, DL1SUZ #51, LZ4OC #52 #31 DXCC, SA6BUN #53, OH3LWP #54, OE9ERC #54, SV3AAF #55 #32 DXCC, ON5TA #57 #33 DXCC
10368 MHz: IS0/HB9COG #117JT #45 DXCC, PE1MMP #118, DL6SH #119, OK1KKD #120, OH3LWP #121 OE9ERC #122
47088 MHz: 27/05/2025 RW3BP decoded at levels -13 to -18DB, RX system test
OK1KIR Vlada
Alex EA8DBM continued his exceptional 23 cm EME activity this time visiting British islands which was extended by excellent multiband expedition of HB9Q team in Sardinia.
We worked Alex on all three islands, first on May 23 with Q65-60C as MD/EA8DBM 16DB/14DB as #629 and new DXCC #142. Later on we worked OH2DG 5DB/2DB with TX/RX on recommended 1298 MHz! On May 24/25 while waiting for potential 13 cm signal from Alex (still in MD) we worked on May 24 OH3LWP with great Q65-60C signal as #111 and on May 25 we only three times decoded Alex 23 dB, but Alex heard nobody.
On May 28 we worked on 23 cm Alex as MJ/EA8DBM #630 with Q65-30B and with Q65-60C OZ5TG as #631. Later on after installing 3 cm we worked with Q65-60D G4RFR (+5DB), were heard 23 dB by SO5AZ (60cm PF dish/10W) but nil on our side regardless less than 90 Hz max spreading. Later we worked OH3LWP 5DB/6DB as #265 and CW 559/559 as #156, G4HSK, ON5TA, W4AF, N6RMJ as #266, IW2FZR, DL6SH as #267 and CW 579/589 as #157, NN3Y as #268 and I6YPK.
On May 29 we swapped to 23 cm and with Q65-60C worked IS0/HB9COG as #632. Then we returned to 3 cm and with Q65-60D worked G8RWG (1.2m/10W) 20DB/8DB as #269.
On May 30 we installed 13 cm and with Q65-60C worked IS0/HB9COG as #112 and later with CW O/O as #201, further BA7NQ as #113, LA2PNA as #114 and OM0MS as #115. Then after reinstalling 23 cm we worked MU/EA8DBM with Q65-60C as #633.
On May 31 we installed 6 cm and despite terrible QRM from WiFi channel sitting on 5760 MHz we made IS0/HB9COG 25DB/11DB with Q65-60D as #73 and new DXCC #51 as 1st 6 cm QSO OK-IS0. Thanks to Q65 being able to squeeze through the occasional time gaps of 20 MHz WiFi channel when CW signal is unreadably destroyed.
Later on May 31 we returned to 3 cm and with Q65-60D worked OK1KKD 6DB/6DB as #270, OM4XA (2.4 m OF dish with only 4 W) 20DB/12DB as #271 and N1AV 9DB/7DB as #272. Later on we spent long time searching for KL6M signal due to QRG confusion while Mike made QSOs with OZ1LPR and PA3DZL. When we finally exchanged with KL6M 17DB/17DB reports Mike’s SSPA failed, so it unfortunately ended as NC QSO with final partial relation of signals 25DB/28DB.
Next day, June 1 we continued on 3 cm and with Q65-60D worked VK4WYM as #273 and IS0/HB9COG 17DB/22DB (B16/B17 in trees) as #274, new DXCC #54 and 1st 3 cm QSO OK-IS0. Later on added battery powered SA5IKN (only 90 cm OF dish but 27 W) with signals 20DB/17DB (B20/B14) as #275.
OK2AQ Mirek
From May 22, I had 23 cm installed and made 20 initials K6EME, RA2FGG, I2FAK, DL1HUH, RD4D, PE9GHZ, KN2K, MD/EA8DBM, JA4LJB, KC2HFQ, AG7CM, PA2DW, KH6FA, MJ/EA8DBM, G3RFR, K6DIS, IS0/HB9COG, OZ5TG, I5YDI and MU/EA8DBM. With Alex it was very interesting at times and I was losing hope especially from MD. Finally, it came to a complete end with the 120D mode. When I watched the video and saw the way Alex's umbrella was being blown by the wind, it became clear to me. To my delight, it was already much better from the next destinations. Alex fixed the dish and the weather was wiser too. Connections with MJ and MU were standard mode 60C. The Q-team was perfect and IS0 was my 49th country.
On May 31, I installed 3 cm and made 3 new initials. IS0/HB9COG had an incredibly strong signal on 3 cm, so it was just a matter of "standing in line" at the initial pile-up. Worth mentioning is the contact with SA5IKN, who has a dish only 0.9 m and a PA of 27 W. I decoded him first with averaging, but after setting the exact offset and narrowing the band, I decoded him after single period. Max has a good Rx, as he took me steadily -19. The new station on 3 cm EME is OK1KKD with a great signal. On-line log is available.
ON4BCB Walter
On 2025-05-08 18:37 UTC I worked GU6EFW (ON4AML Mario) -23 -20 in his (and mine) first EME QSO (single yagi) both initial #1 digital !!! Mario was using a single yagi, and borrowed the ON0EME SSPA for his expedition.
On 2025-05-24 it was a pleasure to work some old friends in SSB after a long periode of absence. I dont have to explain the difference in "joy" between the SSB and digital QSO's
Worked:
2025-05-24 SA6BUN 55/54 SSB
2025-05-24 PI9RD 58/55 SSB
2025-05-24 G3LTF 56/53 SSB
2025-05-24 G4CCH 57/55 SSB
2025-05-24 SP6JLW 54/56 SSB
2025-05-24 OK2DL 59/56 SSB
On 2025-05-29 15:28 UTC I could not resist to work the Qteam ISO/HB9COG -18/-13 for #2
See you in the future on 1296 MHz
ON4BCB antenna
ON5GS Dirk
May was not the busiest month in QSO count for me, but there were some really nice contacts among them one I'd been waiting to work since I started being active on 23 cm: Walter ON4BCB! In his preparation for Mario's DXPed to Guernsey we did some EME tests with WSJTX and after that we finally worked in CW and SSB on 6th May :-)
On 24th May first two contacts JA4LJB and MD/EA8DBM, then hooked up the SM58 microphone for some SSB fun. Worked SP6JLW, OE9ERC, UA3PTW, RX3DR, PI9RD (nice chatting in Dutch with Jan FXB), G3LTF and SA6BUN. Since Geert CSG passed me his 2x DF9IC amp and I changed the coaxes to 7/8 inch my echos are way stronger so really happy with that! (tnx a lot Geert).
25th May OL730PLZ and RA9FLW and 28th May MJ/EA8DBM and IS0/HB9COG both –14dB speaker copy.
OZ1FF Kjeld
It's positive that many new stations are being attracted by the 10 GHz band. This means high activity and fun sitting at the radio making new initials and DXCC's. Since March 1 the following stations was worked:
VE4MA, KM0T, F5IGK, W2HRO, G4BAO, SQ9ATC, OH3LWP, N6RMJ, ON4CDU, DJ7FJ, SV3AAF (DXCC #46), G4HSK, OE9ERC, ON5TA, OZ1LPR, OK2AQ, DL6SH, EA1IW, CX2SC, G4YTL, CT2GUR, IW2FZR, NN3Y, N1AV, I6YPK, W4AF, IC6CAK, LZ4OC, K5DOG, F6BKB, IK0HWJ, PA3CSG, AO11IW, NJ6D, G8RWG, OE5VRL, PA0JOZ, OK1KDD, OM4XA (DXCC #47), JA1WQF (DXCC #48), IS0/HB9COG (DXCC #49), SA5IKN, PE1CKK.
Many of the stations was working QRP - 4 W and with small dishes - 60 cm and up.
My station: 2,4 m ChannelMaster offset dish, AZ 7 inch slewdrive, EL actuator, controlled with AnTrack-Pro, 0,6 dB LNA, 50 W SSPA and MKU10G5 GPS-locked XVTR at feed, Hermes SDR in shack.
OZ1FF offset dish
PA0PLY Jan
This month I worked on 1296 Mhz during the Funtest Event:
OL730PLZ (-09/-11), MD/EA8DBM (-19/-22), DL1HUH (-02/-05), RA2FGG (-14/-14), RD4D (-01/-04), OZ5TG (-13/-13), K6EME (-14/-16), PI9RD (52/55), G3LTF (599/559), SP6JLW (57/579), OE9ERC (59/56), OK2DL (59/55). I heard SA6BUN only partly but too weak for an SSB QSO.
On May 25th: KG0D (-14/-15), OE3JPC (-18/-20) and ON4MU (-25/-21)
Then I installed my 13cm gear in the dish and on May 27th: BA7NQ (-17/-17)
May 30th OE5VRL (-19/-23 ) and IS0/HB9COG (-21/-22)
Then quickly changed my gear for 5760 Mhz and on May 31st I worked IS0/HB9COG (-18/-25), while they were still running through trees.
Another change back to 13 cm to participate the 13cm Funtest Event: G3LTF (52/559), PI9RD (599/559), CT1DMK (529/559), JO1ZRX (-20/-02), PE9GHZ (-16/-14), LA3PNA (-18/-18)
Unfortunately I did not spot any US based stations during the night hours, which was a bit disappointing. Compared to the 23 cm Funtest, the participation in the 13 cm Funtest was rather poor, probably because of the expeditions going on various other frequencies.
For 24 GHz we distributed the first two batches of the DU3T Waveguide switches and are now in process for the next batch. In the coming days I will reinstall my 10 Ghz gear and repair the AZ slew drive for better tracking.
PA3DZL Jac
Congratulations and thanks to the dx-peditions: Alex EA8DBM activating 3 DXCCs on 23 cm, ISØ/HB9COG Group Dan, Sue and Sam with multiband activity on 23, 13, 6 and 3 cm and last, but not least, to Brian’s NX9O activation on 13 cm from the State of Oregon. CN84HM X-band 2320/2304 MHz.
1296 MHz worked: MD/EA8DBM #, OL73OPLZ special event, MJ/EA8DBM #, JA4LJB #, OZ5TG #, I2FAK, G4RFR #, ISØ/HB9COG #, NØLWF #, MU/EA8DBM #
2320/2304 Mhz worked: OH3LWP #, OK1DFC, OE9ERC, ISØ/HB9COG #, OMØOS #, DL3WDG #, LA3PNA #, OH3LWP, PE9GHZ #, NX9O # and KN2K #
5760 MHz worked: ISØ/HB9COG # and new DXCC #41 also a First ISØ-PA on this band
10368 Mhz - I had so much fun and was very pleased to work 3 new DXCCs and 12 initials. Was great to work many stations who were using a small dish and medium or low power !!! BIG CONGRATS to the newcomers on 3 cm.
QSO with Mike KL6M was not easy, we tried for several days, Mr. Murphy visited Mike a few times. BUT he never gave up and the fourth test was a success. Well done Mike :-))
Worked in Digi Mode: G4YTL, EA1IW, G4HSK (1.2m/10W), I6YPK (1m/25W), IW2FZR, K5DOG, KMØT, DL6SH # and also DL6SH in CW, G8RWG # (1.2m/10W), LA4ANA # (90cm/10W), NN3Y # (1.2m/35W), W5LUA, OK1KKD #, ON4CDU (1.2m/25W), OM4XA # and DXCC #43 also First OM-PA Fero was running only 4W, KL6M # and DXCC # 44 also First KL6-PA, VK4WYM #, ISØ/HB9COG # and DXCC #45 also First ISØ-PA, SA5IKN # (90cm/27W), DK4RC #, OE9ERC # and IKØHWJ
PI9RD - PA3FXB Jan
The Dwingeloo dish was operational in the 13 cm Funtest and PI9RD worked the following stations: SP3XBO, G3LTF, G4CCH, SP6JW, CT1DMK. PA0BAT, PE1LWT and SV3AAF. Micha PC4M was on the mic. They also had a surprise visit from Dirk, ON5GS. (Thanks Jan, it was great to have PI9RD on for both of the Funtests. Ed)
RX3DR Alex
Alex was active in the SSB Funtest on May 24th and worked the following stations: UA3PTW, ON5GS, PI9RD, G3LTF, OE9ERC, OK2DL and SA6BUN. He uses a 3.7 m dish with 300 W.
RX3DR 3.7 m dish
SP6JLW Andy
In the 23 cm SSB Funtest I worked the following stations:
OE9ERC 58/59 JN, OK2PE 55/57 JN, OK2DL 59/59 JN, SV3AAF 57/55 KM, ON5GS 56/57 JO, DJ7FJ 43/52 JN, SA6BUN 55/54 JO, PA7JB 559/55 JO, PA0PLY 579/57 JO, OK1UGA 56/55 JO, PI9RD 59/55 JO, G3LTF 57/58 IO, ON4BCB 57/56 JO, SM5GDX 57/58 JO.
In the 13 cm SSB Funtest I worked the following stations:
G3LTF 58/58 IO, SP3XBO 55/55 JO, PI9RD 58/57 JO, G4CCH 58/58 IO, CT1DMK 57/57 IN, SV3AAF 55/55 KM.
VE6TA Grant
I missed the 3.4 GHz Dubus contest weekend due to family commitments. However I did manage to get on 1296 for the MD/EA8DBM dxpedition, and 10 GHz with my 5.5 m HB mesh dish after 9 months.
Stations worked on 23 May on 1296 were: MD/EA8DBM # DXCC 85, SA6BUN, DL4DTU #517.
Stations worked on 10 GHz May 26th were; ON5TA #, OH3LWP #, PE1MMP #, W4AF #, IW2FZR, ON4CDU # 1.2 m dish, EA1IW #, G4YTL #.
I was also QRV on 3 cm May 31 and worked; N1AV #, DL6SH #, OE9ERC # as well as June 1st for the IS0 expedition: where I worked OE5VRL #51 but no copy on IS0/HB9COG unfortunately. High winds that day made tracking the moon difficult with the 5.5 m dish.
I am surprised to be at 51 initials on 10 GHz using entirely mesh dishes. Given that there is virtually no terrestrial 3 cm activity here in VE6 having the ability to work stations off the moon on this band is a very nice bonus.
(I asked Grant for some more information about the use of his 5.5 m mesh dish on 10 GHz. Ed)
I upgraded to a 9 inch slewing drive for azimuth a few years ago. It holds very well in moderate winds. However I still use a linear actuator for elevation and it has some bounce in it. I also have a bit of skew in my dish aiming so have to recalibrate the azimuth fairly regularly.
The mesh is 1/8 inch galvanized mesh from a local hardware store. The dish is not very efficient at 10 GHz as I only get about 9.5 dB of sun noise. Probably equivalent to a 4 or 5 foot solid offset, on rx anyway... a fair bit of leakage I think but still good enough. The feed is a conical feed for roughly a 0.8 f/d dish. Therefore this feed illuminates about 10 feet of my 0.45 f/d dish area. I further try to find a "hot spot" on the dish with best sun noise. As you can see the feed is not pointed at the center of the dish. Of course digital modes are my main QSO mode on 10 GHz. I can hear the good CW stations but need a bit more power to regularly complete with them.
VE6TA 10 GHz EME dish
VE6TA 3 cm feed mounted on dish 20 degree offset
VK7ZBX Richard
I was fortunate to be able to work Dan and the team on Sardinia on the 1st June for a new DXCC for me on 10 Ghz. Good signals -15/-21.
Also managed to meet some new friends, Hans PE1CKK -15/-23.
Spent some time trying with Max SA5IKN who went portable and made a great effort to try. Alas he had a few issues and we didn't make it this time but next time the moon is in a favourable spot we will try again.
On 3rd June I also worked Mirek OK2AQ -17/-17, Antonio EA1IW -21/-21 and Eric ON5TA -15/-16.
The beacon DL0SHF beacon was consistently decoded at -6. This is a fantastic resource for all the 10 GHz people and we are grateful to Per and the team for their tireless efforts in keeping this operational.
VK7ZBX eme activity 4th June 2025
VK7ZBX new initial on 3 cm on 06 Mar 2025
VK7ZBX new DXCC and initial 1 June 2025
W5LUA Al
Here is my report for May and early June.
On May 8/9, on 432 MHz Q65, I worked V5/ZS4TX for a new a new DXCC plus I worked PJ4MM.
On May 29, I worked on 3 cm using Q65-60D, PA3DZL, DL6SH, KM0T, PE1MMP, I6YPK, and OH3LWP. On 3 cm CW I also worked DL6SH.
On May 30 on 23 cm using Q65-60C, I worked MU/EA8DBM for a new DXCC, plus contacts with I2FAK and OK1DFC on Q65-60C.
On Jun 1, back on 3 cm Q65-60D, I worked IS0/HB9COG for a new DXCC plus NN3Y.
Also on June 1, I worked on 13 cm Q65-60C, NX9O in CN84 Oregon for a new state.
In other news, I am rebuilding my 2.4 m offset fed dish mount to use the Coresun SVH7 slew drive with HB9DRI absolute encoders. I hope to be back on 47 GHZ this year.
WQ0P Greg
(This was extracted from Moon-net to provide the complete picture for G4YTL’s WAS. Ed)
Today, May 30th, I was able to work three stations on 432 EME. First and most importantly was G4YTL. David has been on the watch for Kansas for his 50th state for WAS. He first contacted me over a year ago. It took me quite sometime to get things together. With the help of WA0ARM, he let me borrow a small tower trailer and helped me get antennas and rotors and cables mounted on the trailer. Antenna are 2 X M2 38 element 13wl, Amplifier is an old AM-6155 at 150 watts out, preamp is SSB-SP70 in the shack on the other side of 1-5/8 inch hardline.
David and I tried 5 separate schedules over a week and a half, probably 4-5 hours in total. Sometimes he only heard me, sometimes I only heard him, so goes EME. Today we completed!! I then went on to work PA2V very quickly, and OK1VUM in under 10 minutes. All in all having a good time on 432 EME. First station worked was NC1I, very nice station, He works single yagi 100 watt stations with some ease.
WQ0P 70cm portable setup