Moonbounce (EME) |
We are planning to take three VHF stations to Peter I Island in 2006. These are tentatively planned to be as follows:
Check these links for files containing up-to-date information about our EME operations:
Here's a photo of the antenna configuration used to test EME from Gordon's QTH in Colorado:
Two QSOs so far; also heard in Italy, Britain, Sweden and Japan. Next stop: Peter I!
Here are more photos from Gordon's EME experience (captions above photos):
Radio/PC interface being tested in Gordon's shack:
Preparations for Moonbounce activity from Peter I are proceeding according to plan. With generous loans of equipment from many in the VHF/UHF community and from several manufacturers (Icom, M-squared, Alpha) the 6m and 2m stations have been assembled and given a quick "on moon" checkout. Successful QSOs were made using the two stations assembled so far.
The 6m station will use a 7 element M-squared long-boom yagi and an Alpha 6, with a Mirage preamp. It will have limited elevation capability, and will be used primarily around moonrise/moonset. The radio is an IC756 Pro III. This station is packed and in the shipping container.
The 2m station will use four 9-element M-squared yagis and 300W from a TE System solid state amplifier. The amplifier will be mounted remotely at the base of the antenna to minimize feedline loss. The radio is an IC910. This station is leaving Boulder this week, and will join the 6m station in the container this weekend.
The 70cm station will be assembled and put on the air over the next month. It will not be ready in time to go into the container, so it will be kept up a bit longer to undergo a more thorough checkout, and to allow WØRUN, our chief Moonbounce op to hone his EME skills.
We will be operating using JT65 and CW modes. Schedules will be refined over the next months, but the moon visibility means that, under current plans, the EME stations will only be QRV about a week after the HF ones, as we have no moon for the first week or so. Lance, W7GJ is the EME pilot station and will be focal point for coordinating schedules etc. once we are on the ice.
Many thanks are due to the people who loaned the gear, helped assemble the stations, and participated in the on-air testing. We look forward to getting everyone in the 3YØX EME log.
Contributions are most welcome; this may be the most expensive DXpedition ever and your support is needed. Please click HERE to contribute. You may specify that your contribution will go to the EME operations!