432 MHz AND ABOVE EME NEWS

January 2002 VOL 31 # 1

ALLEN KATZ, K2UYH
Editor

ENGR DEPT., THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, TRENTON, NJ 08650-4700 (W 609-490-2817
OR H 443- 3184, FAX 609-443-1713, AND EMAIL:
Allen Katz, K2UYH

PRODUCTION ASSIST: BRIAN MULLANEY, KB2TIS or (609-883-6390)

NETNEWS EDITOR: G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY

EME DIRECTORY: DL4EBY/DK0TU, KLAUS TIEDEMANN,
HALSKESTR.35, D-12167 BERLIN, (49-30-7955467), E-Mail:
Klaus Tiedemann.

EME Directory

***E-MAIL LIST COORD: Scott KD4LT

*** NA EME BBS: 704-284-4854 ***

EME NETS

14.345, 10 AM ET SATURDAYS, AFTER VARO NET SUNDAYS:

CONDITIONS

The bloom from the EME contest seems to have faded a bit with Dec. Activity was definitely down, but there were some high spots on 23 and 3 cm. The solar activity that has enthralled 6 m operators the past month appears to have soured 432 EME propagation. When on 70 cm I found Faraday producing a 90 deg split between optimum TX and RX polarization. This observation seems to be confirmed by others. 1296 on the other hand produced excellent quality signals, particularly on SSB. Hopefully this trend on 1296 will continue into Feb for the SSB contest.

30 YEARS OF THE NL

Another reason for what appears to be low turnout is the spread of activity across several weekends. There was not one obviously good EME weekend in Dec. The situation is similar in Jan. The 2001 EME Calendar ends with 29/30 as the SW. The 2002 Calendar begins with a 5/6 Jan SW. Thus there are skeds for both weekend, but not many because more skeds are being made by e-mail, which further dilutes activity on the SW. Thirty years ago when this NL was initiated, the idea was to have one activity weekend a month where the limited activity could be concentrated. As then I still believe in concentrating activity (on a given band) to one weekend! Times have changed greatly since then. There is more activity today, but there are also more bands and many operators who have been operating EME for many years. I built my 1st dish in 1960, heard my 1st moon echoes in 1968 and made my 1st 432 QSO in 1971. Others have been active much longer. I still get a trill when I hear echoes off the moon. If someone calls (or e-mails) for a test or sked, I (and most other long term EME operators) will get on to work them no matter the time of the month. When new operators get on the moon and ask why there is not more activity every night, I wonder for how many years will they be on the moon? A month may seem a long time to someone 1st hearing echoes, but after a year or 2 will they be on every weekend, if at all?


AA5C
Greg's 10 GHz Dec EME report -- A front came through right before skeds in my Eur window on 8 Dec. The high winds made tracking a bit harder, but I did complete with OH2AXH (O/O) and F1BLL (M/O) for initials 3 cm. Conditions were not that great, but I'm always glad to work new ones. I should be on in Jan and will be looking for skeds with F3VS and others.

CT1DMK
Luiz was on for his Dec 1296 skeds but his GI7B did not last long at hi power (500 W). He says that after 100-200 hours these tubes blow. He had 5 skeds with JA skeds but only heard JA7BMB and did not complete. Then he had the PA problems. He did listen on his other skeds, but had no copy on any other JAs. Luiz hopes to have the amp running again by the next SW, but is looking for ideas for a new PA.

DL7APV
Bernd did not have good luck during the Dec SW -- No skeds were ok! I heard UA4NM in sked with DK3WG, 3.5 kHz low. When my sked started I heard him only one period, than he disappeared. The same with LU7DZ, I copied him in earlier skeds (T-M) but nil at my sked time.

F6ETI
Philippe was active during the pre and post SWs. On 25 Nov the moon was nice in the sky, I called and QSO'd on 23 cmOZ6OL (519/529) and DF4PV (529/419) for initial #41. I was on again on 8/9 Dec. Activity was not great, but I did work on 1296 random on the 8th OK1CA (519/449) #42, DF4PV (529/429), G4CCH (529/529), HB9Q on CW and SSB, and on the 9th G4CCH (529/529) and (51/51) on SSB - no others stations were heard after about 3 hours of calling and searching.

F9FT
Franck, F5SE notes the following corrections to his Dec report -- I got the Dec NL through the Web, and was quite surprised to see my report! I noticed two misprints. My father's callsign F9FT changed to F2FT. [My apology for not catching this typo.] When I first saw it, I thought it was a new French station QRV on EME. But after reading the 1st words, it was clear who was who! In the "web" version of the NL, the address of the AFT web site was skipped, but not in the "K2UYH format" NL. Well, for me, the "Net" is still something quite unstable, more or less like cars in the early days: you knew when you left, but did not know when you come back. My 10 m dish is still partly in my brain, partly in my computer. The final choice I made is a dish with an F/D ratio of 0.55. It should be a good compromise if a patch antenna is used as a source. I am presently weighting the pros and cons of the mechanical design of the El-Az drive. I have written several programs of interest to the EME community. [These programs can be found at:

F5SE News

The 1st "EMEBudget" is now fully operational. F2TU says it is a little pessimistic compared to his results on 1296 MHz. To evaluate the strength of his echoes, Philippe uses the AF9Y software and also his own human "built-in signal integrator". Please let me know about your comments. These comments will be useful to correct and improve this version. I plan to also put this software on F2TU's web site. The software "AntParab" is also under evaluation at F2TU. This program is to help dish designers (dia, fd, source type, mesh sizes, etc.) find radiation pattern, expected gain, wind load and profile outline. All this data are available on a single screen. I intend to include in the final version a complete printout of the necessary parameters. The present version is written in French. I will translate all the texts into English and send update in the future. A 3rd program called "MoonForecaster" is also under editing. It is not yet fully operational. One of the purposes of this program is to forecast at glance the most favorable time, as well as mutual windows, in order to improve communication possibilities and signal quality between at least two given stations. For a given time window, the software displays in a plot form the declination and distance of the moon. Then by moving the mouse over the plot, you immediately get the date and time (UTC) at which the cursor stops, as well as the position of the moon and Sun plus lots of other useful information. I have many plans for additions, but as I said to Philippe, if I spend all my time writing software, the dish project may not go any farther!

G3LTF
Peter's report for Dec. There was not much activity this month with difficult Faraday on 432, but excellent signals on 1296. On 23 cm on 1 Dec nil from JA8ERE on sked, but then worked GW3XYW, IK2MMB, OZ6OL (CW and SSB), F/G8MBI, HB9BCD, G3LQR and WA1JOF - heard were DL4MUP, and on 2 Dec I was on at 0700, looking for the US west coast stations - excellent SSB echoes but no one on! Later I worked SM2CEW and JA6AHB. On the 8 Dec I had a sked with GM4ISM and worked him FB #187. He has 125 W and a 2.4 m dish! I also worked OK1CA. I then moved to 432 and QSO'd G3HUL and NC1I, and heard. Finally, on 9 Dec, still on 432, I worked OZ4MM and then DL7GK, #353. I believe this is my 1st initial on 432 in 14 months, in that same time I have added 27 to my 1296 total. I know there are a few 432 gotaways, but I think this tells us something about the activity trends because I'm usually on both bands over a weekend. Unfortunately I was unable to be on for the Marconi day, the moon was too low for my polar mount anyway.

G4NNS
Brian in IO91FF19 with a 3.7 m, 9 W Tx and 0.7 dB NF LNA on 3 cm writes -- I worked 3 stations on 10 GHz on 8 Dec including OH2AXH for initial #7. I could only manage one contact on the 9th as the system performance was down. My moon noise was only about 1 dB and my echoes very weak. I think it might have been due to icing. Although the thin coating of ice on the dish is unlikely to be the problem, a similar coating on the membrane protecting the horn could have been the explanation. The loop of cable below the horn is the power supply to a heater, which unfortunately I cut when I collected the antenna from its previous owner thinking I would be able to dismantle the feed assembly further for transport. This proved impossible in the time available. It looks like I'll have to re-instate the heater if I want to remain QRV during the winter (or run QRO!). Stations worked were OH2AXH, OK1UWA, W5LUA and F2TU. I also heard: PA3CSG and K6RE, AA5C and F3VS with whom I started, but ran out of sky before we could complete a QSO.

GM4ISM
Mark is going temporarily QRT on 1296 EME -- I am about to dismantle the entire shack over the Christmas holiday. I don't know when it will be re- assembled. I have to completely re-floor the room, and am taking the opportunity to build in some office space. I am now up to 13 initials. Stations QSO'd are OX2K, OE9ERC, OE9XXI, HB9Q, HB9BBD, OZ4MM, G4CCH, G3LTF, K5JL, K0YW, DJ9YW, W5LUA and DJ5MN. All were pretty easy from this end except DJ5MN. I am amazed that he could hear my 125 W to a 2.4 m dish! My PA has not blown up recently. I am running the HV up from 1 kV to 1.5 kV and system is working moderately well. I will be back on 23 cm EME in 2002 I may be back on by late Jan, but most of the 23 cm gear is outside HI. Also folks should be aware that I have a minimum elevation of about 25 degs. Improvements are under way, so I should be able to make quite a few more QSOs. Activity in GM is also likely to increase. GM0ONN is nearly there with a 1.8 m dish , 240 W and a new Preamp. GM4LBV has taken delivery of the mast section and bearings for his 12' Paraclipse and is a good possibility for later on. Maybe 2002 will see 3 or 4 GMs QRV!

IZ6BAJ
Piero, I0KPT reported that the Engineering Dept. of the University of L'Aquila in Italy set up a receive-only EME station for the 23 cm band in order to participate on 12 Dec in the celebration of the 1st transatlantic Marconi radio link. From a link budget, they estimated that they would be able to receive CW signals emitted from any station with EIRP close to 15 MW (71.8 dBw). [I have not yet received a report of their success.]

K0YW
Bruce was active on 23 cm in Dec and writes of an off SW Sunday gathering -- The QSO party went well. Everyone worked everyone else: W2UHI, K5JL, KA0Y and WA1JOF. Also worked Ken and Frank on SSB. Sigs were very good for a low Moon. SSB was (55-57). Almost as good as 20! [Bruce also echoes W2UHI's comments about the TS-2000 – see Frank's report]. I found using U310 preamps in front of the TS-2000 to help performance.

K6JEY
Doug in (DM03wt), using 4 x 25 el FO yagis, .22 dB NF Preamp and 1,100 W PA, had a good night on 70 cm during the Dec SW -- Considering the path limitations did well and working on 1 Dec W7CI (M/549) on random, VE6TA (M/O) on sked, and a partial with WBOGGM - good signals from me but I heard nil. Signals were wavy with lots of QSB - more than usual. The water proofing of the antennas and preamps seems to be holding up well. I am interested in more skeds and plan to be active.

K9SLQ
Wayne is QRV on 432 from EN7Řkk with 8 x FO-22 yagis and Lunar Link 1.5 kW PA and writes -- I had a great sked QSO with K2UYH. He gave me a (559), and was almost that good here also. EME is new for me as of this fall. With every new ham venture there is a learning curve. One of the most disappointing things I have learned is it seems that the only stations that will get on the air and give it a try is either a new station or a marginal station. With a combination like that the success rate is rather poor. The big guns won't get on unless the conditions are almost perfect or for a contest.

KA0Y
Ken discovered a disconnected feedline on 1 Dec and could not be QRV. He fixed the problem on the 2nd and QSO'd on 1296 OH2DG, W2UHI, DL4MUP, W2UHI on SSB, WA1JOF and K2UYH on SSB.

N7AM
Jack is hearing echoes on 1296. He got his 1296 cavity fired up, but is having trouble adjusting the screen bias. Jack is also trying to get his moon tracking system working. He has VE1ALQ's control system with F1EHN's software. WX has also slowed him down. He had 5" of snow and put on a new 5 kW deicer, but had it quite after 6 hours. The problem was an open on one of the ribs. With the Amp working Jack was am able to hear his echoes for the 1st time.

OK1CA
Franta reports on his Dec EME activity -- I was QRV on 23 cm and I worked on 1 Dec OZ6OL, K5JL, WA4NJP for an initial #84, W5LUA, W6PY #85, W1ZX #86 and OH2DG - very FB activity from NA, and on 8 Dec JA6AHB, G4CCH, F6ETI #87, ON5RR #88, G3LTF, DJ5MN and DF4PV.

ON5OF
Dirks operated the 1st part of the ARRL Contest under his regular, but the 2nd part under 2 calls, his normal call and the special commemorative callsign OQ5OF (announced in the Nov and Dec NL). Under his normal call he worked in the contest on 13 Oct at 0314 DJ5NV (432/559), 0428 HB9Q (432/549), 0446 OH2PO (569/579), 0459 DF3RU (549/569) 0513 DK3WG (449?O), 0517 DL9KR (579/599), 0520 JL1ZCG (559/569), 0536 EA8FF (559/559), 0601 G3LTF (O/O), 1031 K1FO (O/549), 1334 W1ZX (449/O), 1420 N2IQ (559/559), 1440 KU4F (579/O) and 1452 N9AB (O/O), on 14 Oct at 0425 DK3WG (O/O), 0509 VK3UM (559/559), 0537 OZ4MM (559/559), 1026 DL7APV (549/559), 1054 OE5EYM (559/559), 1111 HA1YA (559/559), 1220 UA3PTW (559/559), 1233 S52CW (449/O), 1309 K5WXN (559/559), 1331 DJ6MB (559/559) and 1448 K0RZ (559/569), and on 10 Nov at 0252 JL1ZCG (549/559) dup, 0718 PA4FP (O/O), 1024 K5GW (559/559), 1224 DK3FB (O/O), 1319 G3SEK (O/O), 1336 KL6M (O/O) and 1348 PA3DZL heard, and on 11 Nov at 0358 DL5LF (O/O), 0412 JS3SIM (O/O), 0435 JH4JLV (O/O), 0442 JJ1NNJ (O/O), 0457 7M2PDT (O/O) and 1045 F5FLN (449/O). Under the OQ5OF QSO'd were on 10 Nov at 0318 DL7APV (569/559), 0348 DL9KR (579/579), 0452 EA8FF (569/559), 0722 PA4FP (O/O), 1025 K5GW (559/559), 1059 K1FO (549/569) and 1341 KL6M (O/O), and on 11 Nov 0524 OH2PO (559/559) and 0612 OZ4MM (549/559). Under his regular call he ended with 31x21 for 73,500 points.

W1ZX
Willie made several random QSOs on 1296 during Dec, but had poor results on his skeds. He did not make it with CT1DMK as the moon was in trees and did not hear WA6PY or LU8EDR either.

W2UHI
Frank was on QRV on 1296 during the Dec SW. He reports that W1ZX has big signal and that condx seemed good on the moon. He contacted on 1 Dec WA1JOF, OK1CA, W1ZX, WA6PY, WA4NJP and W5LUA, and on 2 Dec DL4MUP, OZ6OL, G3LQR, WA1JOF, KA0Y on CW and SSB and K2UYH. He missed OH2DG. Franks asks if DL4MUP/G4HUP is the same as DL4MEA? [The answer is not simple , see DL4MEA's report in the last NL. If you have worked DL4MEA since last April, I'd say that they do not count as separate initials.] Frank checked out the differences between the TS-870 and TS-2000 with appropriate xverters. They seem to pretty much compare. His TS-2000 does not have a 23 cm module and is used with a converter to 144. [WA1JOF says readout resolution of the TS-2000 is expanded with the 23 cm module installed.] Frank also reports that many pictures of EME antennas can be found on his WEB page at

W2UHI's WEB Page

W5LUA
Al was QRV on 1296 for the SW and added initials with GM4ISM and DL4MUP. On the 12th he worked at 1221 IY4FGM/4 on SSB and copied G4CCH work them. On 3 cm Al QSO'd OK1UWA, K6RE (W6YFK), G4NNS, F3VS and F1BLL. He also reports that he now has a 32 W TWTA for 47 GHz and plans to be active there too.

WA6PY
Paul worked during the Dec SW OK1CA, OH2DG, WA4NJP, K5JL, OZ6OL, W5LUA and W2UHI on 1296.

WB0GGM
John was active on 432 during the Dec SW and QSO'd RA3LE and UA9FAD to bring him up to initial #99. Nil was heard in skeds with IN3AGI and JAs. John did copy K6JEY. He plans to be QRV on New Years weekend.

WA1JOF
Don was QRV on 23 cm during the SW. He worked on 1 Dec W1ZX on random, and on 2 Dec G3LTF, G4CCH, OZ6OL, W2UHI and KA0Y. Don heard DL4MUP but could not figure out the call.

K2UYH
I planned to operate 70 cm the 1st night of the SW, but had problems with squirrels again (#@!$!). They eat through my control cables and cause the loss of my 70 cm preamps. This caused a chain of events that resulted in the destruction of my 23 cm LNAs as well – I dropped them from the feed and they landed badly! Mark, N2OU came by and helped with repairs, but the end result was that we were late for an e-mail arranged sked with K9SLQ. We were on (1 Dec) at 1117 and copied him FB, but he never heard us. Afterwards we worked at 1145 EA3DXU (559/439). I tried peaking my PA and lost all output. We gave up for the night at that point. The next day I discovered that the fishing line that controlled the flapper had broken. Mark again joined me. After making repairs, we were back in business on 432, but decided to try 1296. Activity did not seem very good there, but this may have been due to my backup preamps. We worked at 0253 W2UHI (569/569), 0302 KA0Y (55/57) and 0315 W1ZX (55/57) on SSB. At 0330 Marc left, but I continued and QSO'd at 0400 NA4N (449/449) for initial #196 and 0426 VE6NA (449/549). I was also active on 70 cm the next weekend for more skeds. I QSO'd on 8 Dec at 1020 SM2CEW (559/559), 1030 OK1BDQ (O/O) for initial #647 on sked and 1100 K9SLQ (O/O) #648 on sked, but at 1130 heard nil from N1BUG. Marc and I were also QRV for the Marconi celebration on 12 Dec when we had a FB SSB QSO at about 1310 with IY4FGM/4 (57/59) – quite an impressive signal considering I had not yet repaired my preamps and the dish was looking through trees. The previous morning I had sent test signals to IZ6BAJ at the University of Aquila. They hoped to be QRV for the Marconi tests. I will be in traveling on the 5/6 Jan and will thus miss the next SW, but may be able to get on early on the 5th (Friday), and Marc may be able to operate.


NETNEWS

by

G4RGK, DAVID DIBLEY

WA4NJP worked WA6PY on 23 cm during Dec.

W7CI was active on 70 cm during the SW and added 2 initials.

N2IQ was on briefly during SW. Later Mark discovered his 1 5/8" line is broken. [Which band?]

K5JL worked more than a dozen stations on 1296 during the SW, but missed IY4FGM/4.

K4EME worked on 70 cm on 1 Dec W7CI, and on 2 Dec DJ5NV and NC1I. CWNR was K5WXN - loud.

K9ZZH was QRV on 1296 on 2 Dec.

N4PU has been trying to listen for 23 cm EME, but now has an el drive problem. He will move his dish closer to his house in next couple weeks.

W7MEM was not QRV during the Dec SW because of bad WX, but will be active on 29/30 Dec.

F2TU has a detailed description of his dish for 2 m to 3 cm operation on his WEB page at:

F2FU's WEB Page

RA3LEV completed with WB0GGM and OK1DFC on 432 in Dec.

UA9FADV QSO'd on 70 cm DL7APV and WB0GGM.

SP6JLW and SP6OPN are definitely the same station in JO8Ojk according to DL9KR. Their mailing addresses are respectively: Andrzej Matuszny, ul.Brzozowa 1, 57-300 Klodzko, Poland; and Jerzy Maslowski, ul.Z.Krasinskiego 7/3/12, 57-300 Klodzko, Poland.

VE6NA is trying to get a TH-328 going on 23 cm.

VE1ALQ listened for IY4FGM/4, but heard nil.

PA3CSG was on 70 cm during Dec.

W4SC (op of W4OP in the contest) is making progress on his own 1296 station from GA.

VE6TA worked on 70 cm in Dec K6JEY, PA4FP, K9SLQ and KJ7F.

KD4LT will be QRV on 29/30 Dec – [on 23 cm?].

K5WXN is presently not QRV on 70 cm. His control system is torn apart and he needs time rebuild it. He and should be back after Jan.

KA0RYT is QRV on 70 cm.

DL1YMK will not be QRV until 2002. He is working on his 23 cm PA. He should be ready by the end of Jan and will be on both 70 and 23 cm.

OK2BDQ's address is Ivo Bubik, Nebory 314, CZ-73961 Trinec.

SP5CJT reports that he hopes to be able to get back on EME before too long. He notes that fortunately there is some new SP EME activity.

N2HLT is still working to get back on 432 EME.

GM0ONN will be back on 23 cm with major improvements on the receive side soon. Ian hopes to have 70 cm going in March and 23 cm in April.

S52CW has moved (in same grid) and is rebuilding his mount for 16 yagis at the new location.

S57Q is also working on a 16 x 7.3 wavelength array for 70 cm and a 3 m dish for 23 cm.

ZS6AXT is still far from recovery from his operation, but hopes to be QRV on 23 cm for the next SW.

HB9BBD has a new WEB page. Unfortunately, his old link does not work. The new link is at:

HB9BBD's WEB Page


FOR SALE

KA8ABR has quite a bit of EME related equipment (dishes to 16', PAs, etc.) for multiple bands available. He does not presently have a location where he can setup a station himself, but is interested in helping others get started. Mike's tel is (937) 235-1820.

WA2WIM is looking for 6" square piece of Teflon or Ultem.

SV1BTR has for sale:
1) Complete 432 preamp box including brand new cavity preamp (22 dB gain at 0.22 NF), 2nd stage unconditionally stable professional commercial preamp with high IP3 (+28 dBm), 30 dB return loss, 25 dB gain, 1.1 dB NF, coaxial relay HF-400 by EME, TX+RX lines made of Andrews Superflex coaxial cable with N male Andrews connectors on both ends (9 m + 17 m respectively) and 20 m of cable for coaxial relay and preamp voltage supply included. Also an excellent customized bandpass filter by DCI (500 KHz wide, centered at 432 MHz with >100 dB out of band rejection, 2dB insertion loss, 35 dB return loss). Jimmy is asking for all $US650 (shipping included).

2) DCI 10 MHz wide customized bandpass filter with 80 dB out of band rejection, 0.23 dB insertion loss, 35 dB return loss for $US195 (shipping included).

3) 432 MHz lowpass coaxial filter for harmonics suppression with 7/16 to N adaptors, > 30 dB 1st, >42 dB 2nd, >48 dB 3rd, >50 dB 4th harmonic rejection. It is good for up to 2.5-3 kW for $120 (shipping included).

4) 2 half wave 4 port power dividers, rugged construction, with silver plated N connectors, fully waterproof. Slightly used but in excellent condition. He is asking for $US80 each (shipping included).

WB2GLW has for sale a 5.9-6.4 GHz Logmetrics 2 W TWTA [This power seems low for Logmetrics TWTA?]. Mike says it turns on, but is untested. The lens on front panel push button switch is broken. Otherwise it lights up and push buttons work. He is asking $US200 or best offer. E-mail at
WB2GLW Pictures are available by e-mail.


TECHNICAL

LU6KK proposes the following method for synchronizing sked frequency: It rather easy to synchronize sked-time, but to "synchronize" frequency is more difficult. One way is to go on the same HF frequency just before a sked. 28 MHz works well for 432. Use a 28 MHz frequency that is 432 divided by 15. Then listening to the 15th harmonic on 432 MHz. Of coarse this method only works if there is 28 MHz skip. However one can use this technique at other times.

FINAL

Plans for the 2002 International EME Conference in Prague are moving along, but the organizing committee is concerned about the affects of 11 Sept on international travel – see their announcement at the end of this NL or go to their WEB page at:

2002 EME Conference

Don't let terrorist affect your way of life. None of the professional conferences I have been involved with have changed their plans. I cannot see how Prague will not be one of the best conferences yet. Please show you support by registering!

The online EME-initial-toplist is in operation at:

EME-Initial-toplist
I expect to be regularly including a summary of the top listings in the NL.

Talking about new comers and activity, the following are comments by K1RQG: One observation on my part is that newcomers to 432 & above from 2 meters or new from the start rely or feel that the main mode of contact or communications is via the internet (MOON-NET). This is only one means, and I must say that most of the 432 & above do NOT subscribe to MOON-NET or use the "Logger". Most rely on the good ole radio, mostly on 20 m. The 70cm & above EME net meets every Saturday and Sunday on 14.345 MHz starting around 10 AM ET and running for about 2 hours. Also there is a lot of activity during the week on this same freq and time frame. Your needs are not always addressed through just one method. So check in with us and see what is happening.

I am starting to catch up on some of the excellent technical material I have accumulated. At the end of this NL is K9BCT's excellent article on a 23 cm feedhorn. [Sorry could not put in TEXT version – see WEB page].

Please keep the technical material and reports coming. I hope to CU off the moon at the end of Dec or during the early part of the Jan SW. A very Happy New Year – may it be a good one for you and
73 Al - K2UYH



Skeds

29 DEC

Time      432.040

0100z  VE6TA -EA3DXU
0130z  VE6TA -RA3LE
0200z  VE6TA -RW3PF
0230z  VE6TA -W7MEM

5 JAN

Time     432.060

0600z  DK3WG -UA4NM
0630z  DL7APV-UA4NM

29 DEC

Time     2304.100

1800z  OE9XXI-ON5RR


Dear EME fans

The time is dashing very fast and the date of the 10th
International EME Conference in Prague is approaching. On
the last meeting of the organizing committee we have
discussed the latest development and agreed, that there are
some relevant topics, which must be discussed within the
whole EME community. The main reason is the sad event in the
U.S. on 11th  September. There is an obvious general dread of
traveling abroad, and particularly using air transport. This
fact led us to think over the possible scenarios and propose
options in order to secure successful Conference under any
circumstances.

Herewith we would like to present two solutions:

The first, and we still hope the best solution is to
held the conference as it is presented on the conference
web-site till now. We have spent a lot of effort on its
preparation and we all strongly believe in its success. For
those who are not yet familiar with the conference program,
we bring hereafter a brief description of it in the 2nd part
of this letter.

However since the Conference takes part in "high season"
we have to make most of our payments in advance. Few
sponsors we have at the moment cannot hedge all expenses. In
other words current option is only possible if we receive at
least 80 valid registrations until March 2002.
So, if you support our effort on this option, please,
register now on the Conference web www.emeconference2002.cz
using the online register form. For those who prefer to
register by snail mail or fax, please use the attached form.
Remember, your prompt registration will be perceived as the
major contribution to the success of planned "full scale"
Conference.

The second option, which relates to the consequences
mentioned above, is to announce a "delimited (constrained)
version" of the Conference. This could become in force if
there is less than 80 registrations at the end of March
2002. In consequence it would reduce the scale of the
conference program to a Ham-fest like event. We will be able
to organize the conference place for the meeting and
lectures. However we could not save favorable standard we
have achieved for the "full version". Because of the high
season it will most probably be impossible to accommodate
all the participants in one hotel , especially at the same
place, where the conference would take part. Major
restrictions would occur in the associated program.

Nevertheless, the conference staff would like to
manifest absolute determination to organize a worthwhile
conference in any case.

We would like to underline there is absolutely no risk for
anyone who makes registration for the "full scale"
Conference.  If a "delimited (constrained) version" becomes
the reality we provide you with full compensation as
follows. Every registration is confirmed by the document,
which is treated as the valid contract. As such it ensures
revocation of the obligations and/or money back. There is
also an option of obtaining a facultative compensation with
financial even up.

Please, let us know in turn about your opinion !

We are looking for seeing you all in Prague in August
2002 speaking about EME hobby without any limitations and
inconveniency. On behalf of the EME Conference 2002 staff,
Zdenek -  OK1DFC
 

Netnotes by K1RQG


This information was obtained from:Scott, KD4LT


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