09/21/2004 | K0AWU/VE3 & K0AWU This was my first 10Ghz Cumulative contest and I wanted to try something different. I joined K0KFC the first weekend and drove to Wawa Ontario EN77nw to try to see if we could work the entire width of Lake Superior. Frequency coordination ended up preventing a good test, but paths up to 237Km were worked with 5-9 signals.

The second weekend I joined W0PHD in Warren MN EN18oe to test paths up and down the Red River Of The North valley. High winds were a problem for all involved, but a 284Km path was worked without difficulty with several stations.

A great big THANKS to the 10Ghz group in the Northern Lights Amateur Radio Society for their constant efforts in encouraging 10Ghz activity. The rover activities of W9FZ and W0ZQ have been of great assistance in defining paths that show promise for larger groups and contest operations. 10Ghz is alive and growing in Minnesota and the upper midwest. I'm already looking forward to next year!

The gear is a DEMI transverter, Qualcom amp at 1 watt, 18" DSS dish with a modified DSS feed and Yaesu FT290RII if rig. -- K0AWU