DIRTY DISHES and clean signals the publication of The 50 MHz and UP Group of Northern California, Inc.

Volume 4 Number 5                  May, 1999

(Edited by Rex Allers, KK6MK)

Visit our web site at: http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/50UP.html

Next Meeting: Sunday, May 16, 1:00PM - at Lockheed Bldg. 202.

PROGRAM:  Mmw Matching for the Masses by Allen Podell

Matching and mounting at millimeter wave, with waveguide, coplanar waveguide; a little guide.

With extensive RF and Microwave experience, Allen Podell has designed monolithic and discrete circuits in Gallium Arsenide and Silicon. He has a solid foundation in device-circuit interaction, and specializes in the practical realization of new techniques. An IEEE Fellow, he has authored over 50 technical papers, founded three companies (Anzac Electronics, Podell Associates, and Pacific Monolithics) and he holds 43 US patents in areas ranging from IMPATT diodes, to 3 decade bandwidth microwave components, to food processors.

DIRECTIONS: The meeting place will be the Lockheed Auditorium in bldg. 202 on Hanover St. in Palo Alto, California. Access Hanover from Page Mill Road (between 280 and El Camino). Follow Hanover as it curves right and up the hill. Watch for the Lockheed sign indicating Bldg. 202 on the left side, just before the crest of the hill.

Officers for 1999

W6RXQ

New members welcomed

We are always looking for more people to join and share with our group. Dues are $15.00 per year, or the special rate of $25 for two years. Please encourage anyone who might have an interest to join our group.

Contests and Events

Foothill Swap Meet - Second Saturday of each month (March – September) at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Parking fee required.

Livermore Swap Meet - First Sunday of each month at Las Positas College in Livermore, CA, 7:00 AM to noon, all year. Talk in 147.045 from west, 145.35 from the east. Contact Noel Anklam, KC6QZK, (510) 447- 3857 eves.

VHF+ WeakSignal NETS
 

Picnic gathering this year

Our yearly picnic will be held at the Park Area at National Semiconductor on Saturday, June 26. This is the weekend of the 1999 ARRL Field Day, so we plan to set up some rigs and make a minor effort to participate as a group this year. Try to keep that date open. We look forward to everyone coming, whether you want to operate on field day or just visit. Contact me if you have any suggestions or if you are willing to help coordinate our activities.

-- Rex, KK6MK

50 MHz & Up Group Minutes

of Apr. 11, 1999 meeting

The 50 MHz & Up Group held its April meeting at the National Semiconductor Credit Union auditorium on April 11, 1999. Executives and directors present were: Rex Allers KK6MK, President; Jim Moss, N9JIM, Vice President; Will Jensby, W0EOM, Treasurer; Bill Ogilvie, KQ6FY, Secretary. There were 20 members and visitors in attendance.

The main activity of April's meeting was a swap meet and general get together. Several members brought RF and microwave equipment for sale or trade. There was also a short formal meeting, to discuss club business and other issues. This meeting began with a discussion about 10 GHz and 24 GHz beacons. Bob Johnson's KF6KVG beacon, on Mt. Umunhum is now operational, at 10.367990 GHz. The beacon transmits an ID, and its frequency using a stored speech module with narrow band FM. Bob's 24 GHz beacon is at 24.191977 GHz, with a power output of 17 dBm through a waveguide that is flared horizontally.

The 50 MHz & Up Group's picnic will be held on Saturday, June 26 at the National Semiconductor location. This is also Field Day weekend and along with the usual barbecue, some radio work will occur. One suggestion was that the 50 MHz & Up Group could try to work other clubs on some of the microwave bands.

de KQ6FY, Bill Ogilvie

New Bay Area Microwave Beacon

There is a new microwave beacon installed in the South Bay. It provides references for both 10 and 24 GHz. The beacon is installed west of Mt. Umunham in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Jose.

The beacon was built, installed, and is being operated by Bob Johnson, KF6KVG. The beacon has the following characteristics:

KF6KVG Beacon

Location

CM97AE

121.925° W 37.16754° N

Signals

10367.990 MHz 100 mW Open waveguide flange for antenna

24191.977 MHz 50 mW Small horn antenna

Antennas are aimed at ~330° (30° W of N)

ID is on narrow-band FM voice, once per minute

Other N. Cal. Beacons:

Bruce Erickson, KK6TG, has a Mt. Saint Helena beacon, CM88QQ, on 10368.020 and 24192.042 MHz.

Jim Von Striver and Ron Smith have placed W6ASL/BCN on Mt. Vaca, CM88WJ,
10368.325 MHz, 1 W.

Major Milestone at N6BQ/WA6KBL EME Station

The 1296 MHz and 10 GHz EME station is well underway now that the completed pedestal, counterpoise arm, and fully assembled dish is atop the tower.

The intricate azimuth readout system was modified with newly machined components in order to facilitate highly accurate alignment of the optical encoder. Ed Hilton, W6VKP made the suggestions for the changes while helping with the assembly two weeks ago.

On Thursday, Apr. 22, a Gradall was rented and delivered. This is a forward reaching forklift with a 36' boom and a lifting capacity of 6000 lbs. Tay Howard, W6HD flew down from his home in San Andreas to help. In addition to his considerable technical skills, he is a very capable heavy equipment operator.

Rex Allers, KK6MK and Dennis Firchow, K6MGM once again provided wonderful assistance. Even though Ron, N6BQ is very weak and frail from his advanced cancer, he insisted on handling one of the ropes to steady the dish as it swung from the winds while being lifted.

After the counterweights were placed on the end of the counterpoise arm, Rex and I tested the balance by monitoring the elevation motor current as the dish was lowered from zenith to horizontal position.

Many thanks also go to Larry Moore KM6IU, Charlie Leader KD6VS, Lance Ginner K6GSJ, Kevin Hague N5XSA, Will Jensby W0EOM, Bill Kaiser N6OLD, Dick La Massena W6KH and my wife Monica KQ6PY who crawled in and out of the hub several times in order to loosen and tighten the bolts holding the 24 pedals to the hub.

The next major milestone will be the design, construction and installation of the feed support system to hold the large 1296 feed.

-- Jeffrey Pawlan, WA6KBL

Annual Membership renewals

I have arranged our membership database, so that we now print your membership expiration date at the top of the address on your newsletter. Please look at the information on this newsletter. Contact me if you feel the expiration date is not correct.

If your membership has recently expired or if it will expire in the next few months, you should have received this newsletter in an envelope. Included is a reply envelope addressed to our treasurer, Will Jensby. This can be used to renew your membership. Be sure to include your name so that we can properly record your payment.

Dues: $15 for one year, or $25 for two years. You can also renew at the meetings.

-- Rex, KK6MK

On the Internet…

Do you have a Web Page relevant to our members? Let us know and we will put it here. (You must be a member.)

50 MHz and Up Group page: http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/50UP.html The official group web page. Hosted by Rein Smit, W6/PA0ZN as part of his Weaksignal News Kiosk. The 50Up page includes an archive of newsletters.

W6/PA0ZN's Weak signal pages: http://www.nitehawk.com/rasmit/

ARRL Pacific Division Web page:  http://www.pdarrl.org/

Rex's Place - KK6MK: http://www.dnai.com/~rexa/ Microwave stuff, 50 MHz Up Group pictures and information.

Laser Communications Home Page! http://www.qsl.net/wb9ajz/laser/laser.htm Lots of bright stuff.