09/25/2008 | K0MHC What a way to wrap up the two weekend 10 GHz contest. The weather was great here in Minnesota and the contest was even greater!
Being a fixed station (EN26ha) located between the two Northern Lights Radio Society (NLRS) rover packs gave me the opportunity to experience both operating styles.

The Buffalo Ridge pack (Jon W0ZQ, Don WA2VOI/0, Mel KC0P, John W0JT, Gary WBOLJC and Bruce W9FZ) was focused on maximizing their QSO rates. You got a rush out of running with all six of them usually within only 3 to 5 minutes during each stop. All contacts (except one) were made via SSB over distances up to 230 Km. I eventually learned that one thing you cant cut short on is the beaconing time.

The Red River Valley (of the North) pack was focused on maximizing their distances. You got a rush out of running with Wally W0PHD and Bill K0AWU under extreme weak signal conditions! Most mobile contacts were via CW over distances up to 315 Km. Fixed stations Barry VE4MA @ 444 Km and Dennis NT0C @ 348 Km. were via very strong SSB signals. Sorry that we couldnt connect from some of the more distant North Dakota locations. I guess that we were pushing the envelope.

I have to thank Bill K0AWU again for encouraging me to take the leap. However, just relocating my mobile 10 GHz setup (Directive Systems 2 ft. dual-feed dish, DB6NT Xverter, DEMI 3W amplifier and Yaesu FT-290 Xceiver) onto the tower left something to be desired. Ill try to find room for the 8 Watt brick inside of the tower mounted electronics box, work to improve receive sensitivity and add active temperature control to reduce frequency drift for next year.

One other observation is that this could be a great visual promotion tool for weak signal operation. Maybe we ought to get a video record of what were up to for use at radio club meetings, hamfests, etc. Sometimes just fondling hardware alone doesnt quite convey the total experience.

I consider myself very lucky to be a member of an active organization (Northern Lights Radio Society) with a great bunch of guys! Thanks to everyone for the patience to get me up to speed on the 10 GHz contest event.
73, Jim, Lake Miltona, MN -- K0MHC