432 AND ABOVE EME NEWS
May 2026
Volume 55 Number 5
Editor: Barry VE4MA
Production Assistance: Peter G3LTF, Frank NC1I & Bob W1QA
News, Contests and DXpeditions
News
It has been a little quieter since the last few newsletters which is a bit of a relief to be honest! The Moon was very close to the Sun in May so the smaller antennas on the lower bands were at a severe disadvantage with Sun noise degrading signals. But for the “10 GHz and Up” crowd this past month has been tremendous. The activity during the 10 GHz DUBUS-REF contest and the following Activity Day was great and the conditions were about the best that anyone can remember. The stations using 1.2m dishes on 10 GHz were many and all had great success as you will see in the Reports below.
In spite of the weather in parts of the Northern Hemisphere there were some successful 47 GHz QSOs and receptions accomplished (see the OK1DFC Report). I expect that June will have much more activity to report on the higher bands as the weather improves.
EME Conference 2026
The conference is just a little over a week away in Tenerife Canary Islands and the schedule of presentations has firmed up. Unfortunately live coverage of the event is not possible however it is expected that copies of the presentations will be available on the EME Radio website afterwards.
One surprise Presentation will be the “Allen Katz Memorial movie: EME”, which was created and produced by Al’s daughter Alisha Hastings-Kimball and Giulio Pico - IW3HVB.
K2UYH QSL Cards
Paul W2HRO has announced that he has the K2UYH (SK) logbooks and QSL cards. If anyone needs a QSL card to confirm important QSOs, he will provide this service until the end of 2026 and then he’ll close this chapter. Please contact Paul - W2HRO at
Contests
DUBUS-REF
The 24GHz section of the DUBUS-REF CW contest will be on Saturday June 13th. The rules for the 2026 DUBUS-REF contest are on the website:
http://www.marsport.org.uk/dubus/EMEContest2026.pdf
This event is only one day in duration but following the example of 13 and 3 cm the following Sunday June 14th should be a Multimode Activity Day for 24 GHz.
Please note that 24 GHz is the only band where it is allowed to use loggers and chatrooms any time to make skeds.
ARI
The deadline to submit ARI Spring EME contest logs is the 25th of May, 2026.
Log entries: contest entries must be sent only via e-mail to: i5wbe(at)i5wbe.it
For details see: https://www.ari.it/en/eme/eme-regolamento/8662-12d-trofeo-ari-eme-2026.html
DXpeditions
C37EME
This is to confirm that our planned activation of Andorra with C37EME will effectively take place, as the General Assembly of local association URA has agreed to host this activity. Alex EA8DBM has plans to be QRV on 2 m, 23 cm, 13 cm and perhaps 3cm, while ON7EQ will be on 70 cm. Operation will be from August 6th till 9th. Further details are to be announced on https://www.mmmonvhf.de/latest.php
EME Activation of Bolivia - CP7DX
It will be held from May 26 to June 6 and will have both 2 m and 432 EME stations operating from Grid FG78pl in Bolivia. See https://www.mmmonvhf.de/latest.php for the latest information.
DB6NT Michael
Here's my short report from the DUBUS contest weekend of May 16, 2026. The weather conditions were very good.
On 10 GHz, there were 18 stations:
SP6JLW, DL6SH, SP3XBO, OZ1LPR, DL4DTU, F2CT, PA0PLY, PA3DZL, OH3LWP, OH2DG, SA6BUN, HB9BBD, F5JWF, OK2AQ, OK1CS, VE4MA, OH1LRY, WA6PY.
My setup is a 3.7 m dish. 0.8 dB NF. and 50 W RF out.
It was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I was only able to be QRV for a short time. Thanks to everyone for the great QSOs.
DC1RDB Robert
Lately, I performed a number of experiments and measurements on my 23 cm station with the solar cooker dish to find the best position and diameter for the S12/S21 isolation disk inside the currently installed 188 mm flare. The results were included in the recently released paper by Ingebrigt LB6B.
The following initials could be logged since my last report: GM4PMK, CX9BT, LA3EQ, NY1V, JA4LJB, OZ3Z, W4AF, I5YDI, K4VJ, HG5BMU, OZ5TG, W2LPL, KD2XN, ON4AOI, SM6CKU, SP3YDE, ON4BCB, OZ9AAR, OK2DL, RA2FGG, DL7UDA, W1FKF, XE1XA, 9H1BN, UN6PD, OK1DFC, CT1FFU, SA6BUN, VE6TA, M0FXX, RX6AIA, K5DOG, K6EME, JQ3JWF, OK2AQ, PA3JRK, OE3JPC, PA3BYV, F5AOL, N4BAA, OE5VRL, KB7Q, VE4SA, WA4LM, K1WHS, UA9FA, YB2MDU, SO5AZ, G7TZZ, ON4QQ, DM2CFH, SV3AAF, OM4XA.
This brings the number of initials to 137 since I started 23 cm EME with the cooker dish mid October 2025.
The accompanying picture shows the PA assembly and antenna controller, located on the back of the dish.
Due to the ongoing work on my 23cm station, I was not very active on 70 cm, but nevertheless I did complete a few more initials on this band: OZ7UV, DD0VF, JR7PJS, & R1NW.
DC1RDB PA assembly antenna controller back Cooker dish
DL6SH Slawek
I was QRV for a short time only, but made nice random QSOs:
DB6NT, OK1CS # new init, DL4DTU, SP6JLW, OH3LWP, IK3MAC # new init, PA0PLY, and I also heard OZ1LPR during my QSO with Michael DB6NT.
I was QRV on CW only on Saturday May 16th. Sorry I had no time for more QSO's from US / VE / JA ...
My station is a 2.4 m Andrew offset > 50 Watts at feed from Kuhne watercooled SSPA.
F2CT Guy
I found the cause of the frequency drift that I experienced in April and May! The cause is from the +14 V PS that goes down to 11.54 V when I switch to TX with the 50 W SSPA. So the solution is to put a DC/DC converter on the 10 GHz transverter PLL!
During the DUBUS-REF contest the weather conditions here were extremely bad with heavy cold rain and high winds, so there was no activity between 11 and 16h UTC. I only had 12 QSOs but the best one was with Mike KL6M on random!
There was no JA, no VK and no US QSOs!!! But I had 2 VE QSOs with VE4MA and VE6TA. Some EU stations are also missing such as DB6NT (lost suddenly) and DL6SH! So the results on my side were very bad.
Now I must work hard on the 24 GHz setup for the next QSO party in June.
G3LTF Peter
I decided to get my 3 cm system going as an SWL for the 3 cm Dubus-REF contest.
It hadn’t been operational for 9 years, (on the 3 cm activity day 24-06-17). There had been a few updates in that time and some wiring changes so it took a couple of days to get it going. Also a few things that had never been completed, like a GHA readout on the polar mount, would have been nice to have. The dish is a 2.4 m fibreglass off-set, the same make as PA7JB’s it turns out, it came from a local scrap yard without any back frame or feed supports. The feed is based on one of Ingolf SM6FHZ’s designs, and the DB6NT LNA is directly connected to it so no relay at present, I have a HB transverter with TCXO in the shack. I measured sun noise as 13.3 dB and moon noise 0.9 dB. Looking into trees gives a noise increase of 4.5 dB. I ran out of time to clean the dish surface, it gets covered by lichens and moss!
During the 16th I copied the following stations: PA3DZL, DB6NT, DL4DTU, OZ1LPR, IK3MAC, OH2DG, SA6BUN, OH3LWP, SP3XBO, DL6SH, OH1LRY, VE4MA, OK2AQ, SP6JLW, IU0OYT and WA6PY. I heard OK1CS working someone but he was very weak.
It was an interesting day but it reminded me how much I’d left undone since I last used this dish, I now have a very long “To-Do list”.
G3LTF 2.4 m Offset Dish
G3LTF 10 GHz RX on 2.4 m Dish
G4BAO John
Here is my brief digimode report from the DUBUS-REF weekend using 25 Watts to a 1.2 m offset dish with DU3T LNA.
Saturday was a "washout" due to me needing to repair my faulty GPSDO after one QSO with PA0PLY.
Sunday was better with 15 stations worked on 10 GHz digimode including 3 new DXCCs OM4XA, SP3XBO and YO2LAM, and 7 new initials: OM4XA, F5JWF, GW3TKH, SP3XBO, IZ2DJP, YO2LAM and PA3BYV.
Back in 2020 I took down my 1.9 m prime focus dish and gave up 23 cm EME to concentrate on the higher bands. I ended up with 122 initials, a Worked All Continents and 36 DXCCs. Job done (I thought). The week before the Dubus contest, I had a rare EME contact on 23 cm digimode EME with Howard G4CCH, IO93QL using just my single 44 element Yagi with no elevation.
Running 300 watts I exchanged -22, -21 on Q65 close to moonset with the moon elevation around 10 degrees. Obviously Howard’s 5 metre dish was doing the “heavy lifting” but that makes my “Initials with my Yagi” count now 4, having previously worked HB9Q, NC1I, and W6YX. Howard is the smallest system I’ve worked, so I’m now intrigued to see what the smallest system is that I can work on a single yagi!
Are you big enough? :-) Skeds invited around my moonset.
G8RWG Niels
The last few days have been very productive on 10 GHz EME, and I’m extremely pleased with how well the small station setup is performing. I keep the dish peaked on moon noise and over the weekend it was around 0.5 dB, very close to the 0.42 dB estimated in VK3UM’s EMECalc.
14 May 2026
Worked: G4YTL, OK2AQ, OZ1LPR and SA5IKN (#51)
15 May 2026
Worked: DJ7FJ, EA1IW and PA3BYV
16 May 2026
Worked: IZ2DJP, DL4DTU, SM5DGX (#52), UT4UWR (#53 and new DXCC), and ON4CDU
17 May 2026
Worked: ON5TA, OK1KIR, IW2FZR, DJ7FJ, SP3XBO (#54 and new DXCC), SM6CKU (#55), SA6BUN, LZ4OC, S57NML (#56 and new DXCC), PA0PLY, F5JWF, GW3TKH, VE4MA and PA0JOZ (#57)
All QSOs were completed using digital modes with a 1.2 m offset dish, 20 W PA and DU3T LNA. During the DUBUS-REF Contest on 16 May, I also copied OZ1LPR, SP6JLW and IK3MAC on CW and tried calling, but the combination of low power and the small dish was not quite enough to be heard.
JA6XED Hisao
Yesterday I was able to make 10 GHz CW QSOs with OZ1LPR and JA4BLC. I also heard SP6JLW and called them, but there was no response.
I'm hoping for a response today.
It seems that three stations in Japan were operating: JA8ERE, JA4BLCand JA6XED.
KB7Q Gene
I had plenty of 23 cm activity again this past month. KA1GT (-17/-16) was easily worked on Q65-15A just to keep things interesting. I worked three new stations: HG5BMU (-14/-20), K4VJ (-17/-19), and N0FJP (-25/-24) for #265.
KB2SA (1.0 m dish) and I (1.5 m dish) played a new EME game called the "New Moon Challenge". With just 5 degrees of sun/moon separation on April 16, and each of us seeing an additional 3 db of sun noise on received, we still managed to work after a few repeats.
KB7Q and KB2SA New Moon Follies
KL6M Mike
Before the DUBUS-REF 3 cm contest I removed the (too) narrow interdigital RX filter in my HB transverter and replaced it with a single stage pipe cap filter/ NLB310 amplifier assembly so I could work JA stations. See the picture below or https://kl6m.com/3cm/xvtr/pipecap.jpg
I also installed my DU3T waveguide LNA which made a terrific difference. The homebrew transverter is shown below or at https://kl6m.com/3cm/xvtr/IMG_6706.JPG
The transverter Installed at the feedhorn is shown below or at: https://kl6m.com/3cm/xvtr/IMG_6711.JPG
I have too much gain but my echoes improved greatly when I inserted a 20 dB attenuator. I plan to remove an amplifier stage.
The schematic is shown at https://kl6m.com/3cm/xvtr/10368XVRTR.pdf
I had a pretty good day on May 16th with the following QSOs on CW: SP6JLW 569/529 (On my moonset in trees), OZ1LPR 579/559, OK1KIR 569/569, DL4DTU 559/559, F2CT 559/559, VE4MA 559/559, SP3XBO 559/539, and JA8ERE O/M. My first 10.450 reception of JA8ERE was great, with the IF RX tuned to 1378.1.
We had a tough time making the QSO and he was having trouble hearing me, possibly due to my trouble keeping on the moon in the wind. I had to quit due to wind: https://kl6m.com/3cm/xvtr/10Gwind.jpg (moon noise in the wind).
I could not get on Sunday due to the high winds which was very disappointing. I plan to get on 3 cm again on Thursday May 21 1900z, hopefully to work the EU ststions that I missed, and later for JA/VK moonrise.
KL6M New 10 GHz Filter Response
KL6M 10 GHz Transverter Internal View
KL6M 10 GHz Rig Installed at Feedhorn
N9HF Dave
After my wife Linda N9LHS, and I attended the South East VHF Society conference, it filled me with the incentive I needed to ALMOST finish putting the 10 GHz EME station together.
I say almost because there was an issue with the final PA that is being dealt with right now. Long story short, when complete, the set up will be a 4 foot dish and 30-35 watts. The receive side of things is working and I plan on trying to hear someone off the moon.
So far I have had no success but I did measure 8 dB of sun noise. I’ll be hanging out on the HB9Q page when I am ready to test.
NC1I Frank
I have not been very active over the last month. No initials were added on 70 cm.
On 23 cm the following initials were added; GB8IOW (-15 dB/-17 dB, 1 x 43-elements and 250-watts, R4CX (-09 dB/-10 dB), 3.66-meter and 600-watts, PA3GUO (-27 dB/-19 dB) 2 x 35-elements and 100-watts for Henk's first EME QSO, GM8FVM (-27 dB/-23 dB), 1 x 36-elements and 85-watts for Jim's first 23 cm EME QSO, and N0FJP (-09 dB/-17 dB), 3.7-meter and 600-watts.
Hopefully I can devote more time to EME over the coming months.
OH3LWP Ari
SA5IKN wanted to test 10 GHz EME with his usual setup but with a very small 50 cm diameter prime focus dish. I was surprised to easily complete a Q65-60D QSO with Max on May 13, 2026. Conditions were good with roughly 100 Hz spread and low wind at my QTH so there was no antenna movement due to wind. This proves you can probably fit a complete 10 GHz EME system into a single suitcase.
I participated in the DUBUS-REF 10368MHz EME contest on May 16 2026 with following QSOs completed: JA4BLC, PA3DZL, SP6JLW, DL4DTU, OH1LRY, OK1CS, SA6BUN, HB9BBD, OZ1LPR, PA0PLY, DL6SH, OH2DG, SP3XBO, IK3MAC, DB6NT, WA6PY, and VE4MA. I heard and also called IK0HWJ, OK2AQ but did not complete QSOs.
I worked several new initials and new DXCCs in the April 29 to May 18, 2026 time window as follows:
New 23 cm initials: 13/05/2026 F4BLE, 14/05/2026 AF6SA, 15/05/2026 N0FJP, and 17/05/2026 HA5OLA
New 13 cm initial: 17/05/2026 IZ5TEP
New 3 cm initials: 16/05/2026 OK1CS CW, WA6PY CW, 17/05/2026 BY1BY, S57NML (also new DXCC)
OK1DFC Zdenek
During the weekend of May 15-17 2026 it was very busy with EME activities on several of the microwave bands.
On Friday May 15, DL7YC and RW3BP announced an activity to repeat their QSO in the 76 GHz band, which unfortunately failed due to bad weather
Next on the agenda was the OK1DFC and CT1BYM sked in the 47 GHz band. I had the honor of welcoming a visit from OK1KIR, Tonda OK1DAI and Jirka OK1DCI, who came to see the progress of the sked. The sked started as planned at 13:00. Unfortunately, at this time, heavy rain clouds passed over the area of my QTH. On 47 GHz, this resulted in +1.6 dB to 2 dB cloud noise instead of +0.98 dB Moon noise, and the sun noise dropped from +9.8 dB to +8.1 dB.
I started calling CT1BYM as planned. He decoded me from the first period in values of -15 to -18 dB, (see screen print from Miguel below) in moments of heavy clouds then only -21 dB. Although he tried to call me, his signal could not be decoded even in AVG. I was very sorry that the QSO failed. On Saturday, the DUBUS-REF contest in the 10 GHz band was scheduled. I expected to participate, but the weather and the effort to work on 47 GHz ruined it.
Saturday May 16 did not start out the best. The weather was really bad. It rained a lot from midnight and I could not install anything until 07:00 UT. In the afternoon when the rain stopped I used the low spread on 47 GHz and tried to QSO with DC7KY. Unfortunately, due to very bad conditions, only Klaus managed to decode my call, I had nothing this time. The moon noise was covered by the rain cloud noise by +1 dB and the sun was only 8 dB compared to the normal 9.8 dB.
Sunday May 17 2026 was absolutely great in terms of weather and conditions on 47 GHz. In the morning I set up 10 GHz and took advantage of the activity that was on the band. Many stations were still working in Q65 mode after the May 16 DUBUS-REF contest, so I made about twenty QSOs before it was time to switch to 47 GHz. The conditions on the 10 GHz band were great, the best I have ever remembered.
I was really looking forward to the sked with DC7KY on 47 GHz (the 6 mm band). Around 15:00 UT, the smallest spread was occuring at 47 GHz so right after lunch I installed the 47 GHz band equipment instead of 10 GHz. The weather looked good, with a 12°C air temperature, 101.6 kPa pressure, -41°IR temperature and cloudless sky and I was able to measure 9.85 dB of sun noise and 0.85 dB of moon noise. These values were promising of a possible success in contacting DC7KY, this time with a complete 2 way QSO. The QSO was successful at 14:42 UT with reports of -23/-17 dB. This time Klaus did not use the “Sh” mode and everything went perfectly. A print screen of the QSO is shown below.
Unfortunately, Miguel CT1BYM, who decoded me so well on Friday May 15, could not join us for the test. So hopefully in the June EME window, when the conditions are supposed to be the best for 47 GHz tests, the connection will be successful to Miguel and others. I am still waiting for the delivery of CGY2260 chips to repair my LNA. Then hopefully the results on the receiving side will be better. Miguel CT1BYM helped me a lot, by providing a number of tips on how to set up WSJT-X to work best on 47 GHz.
My weekend activity was as follows:
10 GHz on May 17: SM5DGX -15 -3 #143 JT, OK2AQ -12 -3, IZ2DJP -11 -8, PE1CKK -3 -7, IK3HAR -15 -13 #144 JT, LZ4OC -9 -9, SP3XBO -9 -5, SV3AAF -18 -13, SM6CKU -9 -5, F5JWF -1 -6, ON5TA -4 -4, OM4XA -14 -7
47 GHz on May 17 14:56 DC7KY JO62QJ -23 -17
OK1DFC CT1BYM 47 GHz Decodes 2026 05 15
OK1DFC CT1BYM 47 GHz on 1.2 m Dish
OK1DFC Bad WX 2026 05 16
OK1DFC 47 GHz Moon View 2026 05 15
OK1DFC DC7KY 47 GHz Decodes 2026 05 15
OK1DFC DC7KY 47 Ghz QSO with OK1DFC
OK1DFC 47 GHz QSO with DC7KY
OK1KIR Vlada & Tonda
Our participation in 3 cm part of Dubus CW/SSB Contest on Saturday May 16 and in the following 3 cm activity on Sunday May 17 was concerned mainly on searching new initials.
On Saturday May 16 we made 8 CW QSOs with nice reports (Moon in perigee) with IK3MAC (589/579) as #159, OH1RLY (569/579) as #160, OK1CS (549/549) as #161, OK2AQ (O/559), OZ1LPR (599/569), DL4DTU (569/569), PA0PLY (549/519) and KL6M (569/569) as #162.
On Sunday May 17 we added with Q65-60D BY1BY (-7/-7) as #289 and the OM field, UT4UWR (-15/-8) as #290 and SM5DGX (-17/-9) as #291. Quite heavy clouds decreased moon noise to 2.6 - 2.8 dB.
The moon orbit on Sunday May 17 was full of continuing digital activity. We made with Q65-60D QSOs with VK4WYM (-14/-13), SA5IKN (-14/-3), PA0PLY (-7/-3), ON/PA0MHE (-6/-6) as #292, OK2AQ (-7/-1), IZ2DJP (-14/-19), SV3AAF (-15/-9) as #293, a repeated QSO with BY1BY (-15/-14), F5JWF (-7/-3) as #294, DJ7FJ (-5/-4) and with Q65-60C we made a QSO with G8RWG (-12/-8).
The clear sky on Sunday increased our moon noise to 3.2 dB and the DL0SHF beacon was -1 dB to 0 dB. Our bigger feedhorn choke actually improved the sensitivity of our system a bit and therefore the MN values.
OK1KIR 3 cm feed mods
OK2AQ Mirek
With the DUBUS & K2UYH Memorial Contest approaching, I decided to set up my 3 cm band on May 12. I wanted to take some measurements and calibrate the antenna and horizon at various azimuths. I was making regular QSOs at the same time.
The first initial contact was on May 14 with DF5MO (-22, -17), reportedly using a 2-meter dish and 12 W. However, his signal was very weak, and I was only able to decode it using AP and averaging (AVG). For Rainer, this was his first EME QSO with this equipment.
It rained almost continuously during the contest on Saturday. I made 7 CW QSOs with the only initial being IK3MAC (589, 569). To my delight, the callsigns BY1BY (-12, -18) and UT4UWR (-17, -18) from Kyiv appeared on Q65.
Before moonset on Sunday’s “activity day,” Emil OK1CS called me on the phone to say he was QRV and wanted to try his first Q65 QSO. Together, we set up WSJT-X on both ends. OK1CS (-16, -15) {#188} had a beautiful, strong signal. The complete log is as usual:
https://www.radio.feec.vutbr.cz/esl/files/EME/LOG/EME_LOG_10G.htm
Please see the picture of my adjustable polarity 10 GHz feed with a HB SSPA 42 W, LNA and WG switch inside the box.
OK2AQ Rotatable Polarity 10 GHz feed
PA0PLY Jan
On May 12th I installed my 10 GHz gear after a long time of not being used. I checked moon noise (MN) at 1.5 dB on my 3 m PF dish with a DU3T preamp.
The following QSO’s were made:
May 13th
PA3BYV (1.8 m - 20 W) #124, SA5IKN (0.5 m – 27 W)
May 14th
DF5MO (1.9 m – 12 W) #125
May 16th DUBUS-REF Contest
MN: 2 dB. I made a total of 22 QSOs as follows:
In CW: JA4BLC, PA3DZL, SA6BUN, SP6JLW, F5JFW, OZ1LPR, DL4DTU, IK3MAC #127, HB9BBD, OH1LRY, OH1LWP, DB6NT, VE4MA, OK1KIR, DL6SH, F2CT #130
In Digimode: UT4UWR (2 m - 20 W) #126, S57NML (3 m - 12 W) #128, SM5DGX (3 m - 15 W) #129, W3TI, IZ2DJP, G4BAO
Checking for JA stations I found 4 signals on the waterfall, but only JA4BLC was readable for me. Compared to EU stations, the JA signals were rather weak. I got some reports of an unstable signal, which I noted during RX as well. All my system is GPS controlled but I saw some notes that the XCO in the TS2000 might be the culprit. If anyone has more experience, please drop me a note. My signal varies some 100 Hz or so.
May 17th All Mode Activity Day
MN: 2 dB I made a total of 18 QSOs as follows:
in CW : SP3XBO (3 m – 20 W)
In Q65 mode: BY1BY #131, OK1KIR, UN6PD, OK2AQ, IK3HAR #132, SV3AAF, OM4XA, LZ4OC, SA6BUN, F5JFW, SP3XBO, DJ7FJ, ON4CDU, PA3BYV, G8RWG, G4BAO. SM6CKU was not completed and PA0JOZ was only heard.
PA3DZL Jac
On 1296 MHz on April 30th I worked GB9IOW #713. This was a nice activity from the Isle of Wight IO90FQ by Denis ON4MU running a single yagi!
On 10 GHz from April 28th up to May 17th I worked:
Digi mode: YO2LAM, IW2BNA #171, IZØJNY, PA3BYV, W3TI, BY1BY #172, S57NML #175 and ZS6JON #177. Great job from John, ZS6JON who is QRV on 10 GHz from South Africa. We had an easy QSO on Sunday May 17th. He made several QSOs. John is able to turn polarization, he has made a very beautiful construction a-la Bruce PY2BS.
CW mode: SP3XBO, OH3LWP, PAØPLY, F2CT, SP6JLW, OZ1LPR, IK3MAC #173, DB6NT, DL4DTU, OH2DG, SA6BUN OH1LRY, OK1CS #174, IUØOYT #176 and WA6PY
During the DUBUS-REF Contest, my CW/SSB my 10450 Mhz converter was not working properly and only heard one JA.
I had two family commitments during this weekend so operating time was limited.
On 24 GHz I worked on April 29th:
Digi mode: PE1CKK strong signals from Hans, speaker copy.
Tests with IW2BNA and IZØJNY failed because of the very bad weather in Italy. Ivan IZØJNY decoded my signal but it was one way.
SA5IKN Max
The highlights for me were of course the two first contacts with the tiny 50 cm dish, but last weekend’s level of activity was outstanding as well.
On 13 May 2026, I completed two 10 GHz EME QSOs using only a 50 cm dish and 27 W: SA5IKN–OH3LWP and SA5IKN–PA0PLY. To the best of my knowledge, this is the smallest antenna yet reported to have achieved a 10 GHz EME QSO, and with demonstrated repeatability.
For these contacts, I used a 50 cm prime-focus dish together with the usual feedbox and parts of the mounting arrangement from my 90 cm offset system. These QSOs fit the description "against all odds" as several factors worked against the setup. The system was installed on a balcony, dish illumination was suboptimal as the feed had been designed for a higher f/D ratio, the relatively large feedbox introduced significant aperture blockage, and even the sky was overcast. Fortunately, the dish was relatively shallow for a prime-focus type, which helped mitigate what would otherwise have been even more severe edge taper.
I should also note that when operating from the balcony with my usual 90 cm system, I generally observe a 1–2 dB reduction in SNR on both RX and TX compared to portable operation, presumably due to interactions with nearby objects in the near field. I expect that the SNR values observed during these experiments with the 50 cm dish were affected not only by the antenna’s relatively low aperture efficiency, but also by the proximity of surrounding balcony structures. From another perspective, these results are highly encouraging and suggest that many more QSOs should be achievable with a more efficient 50 cm / 27 W setup, perhaps even pointing toward the possibility of successful operation with somewhat smaller dishes.
I would like to thank my QSO partners, Ari OH3LWP and Jan PA0PLY, for their patience; Lasse SM0KAK for providing the dish; and Mirek OK2AQ for an unsuccessful but enjoyable and worthwhile attempt. As a source of inspiration, I would also like to acknowledge works of Rex VK7MO, who pioneered small-dish EME on 10 GHz with a 60 cm dish, and Charlie G3WDG/DL3WDG, who was among the early adopters of similar systems. I am also aware of several other stations that have successfully operated with dishes of 60 cm and slightly larger - your results inspire many.
Apart from the experiments with the 50 cm dish, I also operated using my usual 90 cm offset and 27 W setup. From home, I worked OK2AQ, G4HSK (1.2 m dish, initial), and G8RWG (1.2 m dish, initial).
I did not have time to operate last Saturday, which was also the DUBUS-REF contest. The all-mode activity on Sunday, however, provided an excellent opportunity to take my 90 cm / 27 W portable system for another outing. I was active for several hours during the morning using LiFePO4 power and worked BY1BY (initial), OK1KIR, UN6PD, VK7ZBX, ON/PA0MHE (initial), SP3XBO (initial), IZ2DJP (initial), SM5DGX (initial), and SA6BUN.
With these additional QSOs, I am now very close to reaching the milestone of 100 initials with my small portable system. If we have not yet worked, drop me a line or look for me on the HB9Q logger.
SA5IKN 50 cm EME Dish
SA5IKN 50 cm Dish QSO 1
SA5IKN 50 cm Dish QSO 2
SA5IKN 50 cm dish QSO from OH3LWP
SA5IKN portable OP with 90 cm dish 27 W 2026 05 17
VE4MA Barry
The spring weather here has been very disappointing with high winds (up to 90 km/h) and much cooler than “normal”. The snow was late to leave but we have not had much rain, which would be good for the 24 & 47 GHz equipment. Hopefully I can be QRV on both bands in June.
I have been operating on 10 GHz mainly and for the DUBUS 10 GHz CW contest on May 16th I worked 14 CW stations including OZ1LPR, SP6JLW, PA0PLY, SA5BUN, HB9BBD, F5JWF, OK1CS, IK3MAC, DB6NT, OH3LWP, WA6PY DL4DTU, F2CT & KL6M. I also worked 2 on digital S57NML, and UT4UWR in Kiev. Getaways were OH2DG, OH1LRY, OK2AQ and PA3DZL. Signals were excellent although 3 stations exhibited an unusual drift characteristic which may be from using the same GPSDO module? I have contacted those stations separately.
On May 17th there was a general activity day on 10 GHz EME and spreading conditions were very low coming from EU to NA. My signal was about 100 Hz wide while one station OZ1LPR, who has a really big signal with 200 W and 2.4 m (8 foot) offset dish, was as low as 3 Hz… so he had a very nice sounding signal. I managed to work 21 stations on digital (PA3BYV, IZ2DJP, G4BAO (1.2 m - 25 W), PA0JOZ (1.2 m - 15 W), GW3TKH (1.2 m - 22 W), G8RWG (1.2 m - 20 W), W3TI, G4HSK, SM5DGX, SA6BUN, OK2AQ, ON5TA, VE6TA, W4AF, EA1IW, F5JWF, IK3GHY, I6YPK (1 m - 25 W), OZ1LPR, and SP3XBO. I also worked IK0HWJ on CW and missed a QSO with IW2FZR who was having trouble with his remote operating on CW.
Signals were very good and I was impressed with the performance of the 1.2 m dish stations
Next month is the DUBUS 24 GHz EME contest and I am really looking forward to that activity as there are so many new 24 GHz stations active now. I am also expecting to operate on 47 GHz EME and hoping that the weather is better, as the 14 kV voltages are not compatible with rain and antenna pointing in strong winds is almost impossible with the narrow beamwidth of 0.125 degrees.
VE6TA Grant
I managed to fight through the windy weather forecast and get the 10 GHz gear installed in the dish. There was no time to optimize sun noise before the weather came so I just popped it in at the feed and hoped for the best.
The first moon pass is reserved for the DUBUS-REF 10 GHz CW contest. I always try to call a few stations but usually with my poor HB mesh dish usually get only a QRZ or two. I start off usually listening for the DL0SHF/b on 10368.024 as it's the strongest signal on the band. It took a while to find it but was able to peak up on it despite shooting through the ever larger trees to my NE.
Then I started to listen for CW stations. I heard OZ1LPR, F2CT, KL6M, SP6JLW on CW and I called OZ1LPR several times with only a QRZ received. Then I went to digital and gave ON4CDU a call with his 4 foot dish and he surprisingly came right back for a nice QSO.
I listened some more and eventually called OZ1LPR with his massive signal (569). He listened closely and sure enough we worked with O/O reports. I then called F2CT with the same result. Obviously some very good conditions were afoot as I hadn't done anything to improve my signal. Spreading was very low to Europe which definitely helps both CW and digital decoding.
I tried listening on what I think is 10450 for the JAs to my western window but nothing was heard. I am still unsure of my RF switching from 10368 to 10450 until there are a few more stations to listen for.
On the Sunday pass there were quite a few more QRV stations looking for digital QSOs. I managed to work quite a few; IW2FZR, SA6BUN, #YO2LAM, #SM5DGX, OK2AQ, VE4MA (wide spreading), ON5TA, OZ1LPR, EA1IW, #PA3BYV, #IK3GHY, #SP3XBO.
This brings me to 62 initials on 3 cm and 24 DXCCs worked. I am very grateful to be able to work so many stations with my big floppy dish.
I have now switched to a 222 MHz feed again for a moonset sked with WA1NLG. He would be a new US State and grid so my fingers are crossed.
VE6TA 3 cm Feed with 20 degree offset
VE6TA 10 GHz Feed Mounting
VK2CMP Mick
I have been looking at building a 2.3 GHz portable capability given that I have the folding dish setup and 13 cm septum ready to go.
Last week I received some 13 cm LNAs and filters from Tommy AGO and have just given the 2301 version a good workout last weekend in a terrestrial activity day. I took my spectrum analyser with me to the mountains to better understand the QRM out there in this band. Needless to say there is a lot! AGO’s filter stopped the transverter from having a moment and with the high IP3 LNA does a great job in hostile conditions. I hope to acquire a PA and complete the integration of all components in time for one of the ARRL “2.3 GHz and Up” weekends.
On a related topic Elecraft have just released their Beta version of their version of a Spectral Subtraction Noise Reduction (SSNR) algorithm for the K4. I have to say it far exceeds all expectations and the performance on both voice and CW is hard to believe unless you try it. Signals that are very hard to copy appear out of the noise. I’m hoping that this will be a big benefit for CW off the moon here in the suburbs with my 6 million neighbours. If only Icom could also implement it on the 9700 portable rig?
I am about to hop on a plane to the Northern Hemisphere to catch up with a few of you, hopefully for a drink at EME 2026 and then holidays. Back home in mid-July.
WA6PY Paul
WA6PY was QRV on 10 GHz for the DUBUS –REF contest on May 16 and QSO’d OZ1LPR, SA6BUN, SP6JLW, OH3LWP, PA3DZL, DL4DTU, SP3XBO, OK1CS, IK3MAC, VE4MA, DB6NT,and OH1LRY all on CW.
I plan to be QRV on 24 GHz CW on June 13 and in the ARRL EME Contest on August 8-9. I also will be QRV on 3.4 GHz on July 11.
Dan WY3O
I am pleased to report the first EME activation of WY3O.
The station uses a 2.4 m folding dish, Septum feed, and SL-1 positioner from W2HRO; N8CQ/VA3TO WinTrak controller (also acquired from W2HRO); AG6EE LNA; homemade 23 cm amplifier based on two NXP pallets (acquired from N8CQ), a homemade W1GHZ directional coupler, and copious use of W6PQL boards; all driven by an IC-9700.
My first contacts were on May 13, 2026 with KH6FA, NY1V, N5TM, and AA6I. Future activations will be sporadic owing to a change in QTH that is in progress, but I look forward to many more!
The photos show WY3O (in safari hat) explaining the station to curious neighbours, and a close up of the amplifier that only a parent could love!
WY3O Folding Dish
WY3O 23cm Rig
W1QA Bob
Looks like we will be treated to some fantastic weather in Tenerife for the 2026 EME Conference. See you there!
W1QA EA8 WX
Daytime highs starting off around 27C at the beginning of the week and cooling off by Sunday. Comfortable evenings and no precip forecast.
Safe travels to everyone making their way to EA8-land.