[Moon-net] QRV 144-MHz

[Edward R. Cole]

Just a note to say we are now fully QRV on 2m, again.

It has been a lot of work moving to the new QTH.  Today the winds abated
long enough for me to climb the EME tower and re-connect the 7/8-inch Tx
line and LMR-400 Rx line.  One benefit in all this is we discovered two bad
connectors in the eight phasing lines.  This resulted in lowering the
overall SWR to 1.06 (from 1.25).  The sspa is happier and outputting 185w
with 0.2w reflected.  This results in 125w reaching the antenna array.  A
small increase as far as eme goes.

I had run two preamps at the old QTH but the many-times repaired ARR preamp
was eliminated as not reparable.  I added an sma mw relay to chose either H
or V pol for the mgf-1801 preamp (WA5VJB - 0.15 dBNF, 16.8 dBG).  I think
this will be more reliable.  The sma relay is 1-off-2 with 1 and 2 inputs
terminated in 50-ohms when the relay is unpowered (off).  Early testing on
mid-range terrestrial DX shows improved sensitivity (copying mobiles in
Anchorage 65-mi/98km away).

The Moon is unfavorable until next weekend.  We need to reconnect the
computer interface and test JT-65.  I will be looking for contacts on the
JT logger beginning Dec. 23 utc (4-day Holiday weekend).  I am still
QRP-eme but have had good success.  Hoping to see you on the Moon!  I am
working finish raising a second tower for my HF-6m-222-432 antennas
(non-eme).  Then I will clear my workbench to resume work on the 8877 PA
(long promised).  Santa is delivering the SDR-IQ  and a DEMI 144/28 xvtr.
We anticipate that using them for running Linrad will be a great asset for
random eme contacts of any mode.

Janet and I wish all our eme/mw/VHF+ friends the best these Holidays!
73's,
Ed - KL7UW  
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http://www.qsl.net/al7eb - BP40iq 
144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4xM2-xpol-20, 185w (QRV)
432-EME: Not QRV
USA Rep. for Dubus Magazine: dubususa at hotmail.com
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