23 on 23 + MAD 23rd April 2017

[VK4REX]

We had such a great time today we are booking in early for the next MAD. All agreed that Howells Knob would be the go again so thats our plan.

See you all on the day

Rex

[VK4ALF]

Ill be there ... Ill bring the bangers and BBQ again .

[VK4OE]

Well, I too am already looking forward to this date!

Weather permitting, I will again go to the Border Ranges National Park in Northern NSW where the locator is QG61NP. Being part of the 23 cm and 13 cm action around SEQ (and further?) is a significant reason for going there in the first place.

However, atmospheric absorption permitting, some attempts at longer paths on mm-wave bands will also be the order of the day for me!

Perhaps some leadership regarding liaison channels/frequencies will be helpful - past experiences for me are that using the 147.000 Mt Glorious repeater seemed to be helpful and appropriate. But using a repeater means that only one conversation happens at any one time. For longer 'talk-back' sessions, going to a 2m or 70 cm FM simplex frequency has worked well for me.

Here's hoping (a long shot!) that the weather will be great at that time!

Cheers and 73,

--Doug, '4OE.

[VK4ADC]

A little too far away on the calendar for me to know what will be happening then but will keep it in mind - particularly if this topic remains active

The setup for tonight's 23 on 23 should be available for operation from home if the date/weather permits and that gives me possibilities from 1296 to 10368.

73 Doug VK4ADC

[VK4CZ]

To formally kick start the event.... copied from the VHF UHF Microwave VK/ZL Facebook group....


April 23rd, 2017
23-on-23+MAD

Whilst there's been a previously thread, it's time to get our effort and energy focused on the next 23-on-23+MAD.

What's even more exciting is that we've started to see the VK2s awaken [Thank Michael Farrell) and start to plan their activity for April. Now we just need the VK3s to come on-board (or is that get outside one last time before the winter hibernation). Hint!

So here goes.....




As April 23rd falls on a weekend, it provides the chance for [non-retired] operators to take full advantage of the extra time, and head for the hills to trial their /P station capabilities, investigate new paths and hopefully complete a contact with a new station or two that they wouldn't normally work from their home station.

It also, and more importantly provides the time and opportunity to activate other uWave bands and reduce the $:QSO for the investment made in the capabilities.

With some stations also taking advantage of the time to push out to more remote hilltops, the suggested schedule has been:
2:00pm (04:00z) - 03:00pm (05:00z) 23cm SSB/CW only
3:00pm (05:00z) - 5:00pm (07:00z) 13cm and other uWave bands

For stations in SE VK4 liaison -
147.000 Repeater
40m - 7.150MHz (for those with /P HF capability)
Mobile/cell phone

For all participants -
VKLogger iChat '23&Above'

As a number of 23cm Plus operators choose not to participate in this forum or the VHF UHF Microwave - VK ZL Amateur ham radio community on Facebook, please let those who you know may be interested of the event and ask them to also share their plans. [hard to pint the dish to someone if you don't know they're there!!]

However to allow others to plan their participation, could you please advise your interest, availability and any suggested enhancements to the schedule in this thread?

And most importantly, update your /P profile on VKLogger to ensure that we know where you are!






Unfortunately I'm a non-starter for operating /P in this event. I land back in VK4 after spending Wed & Thu in Germany for work very late in the evening of Saturday 22nd, and wont be able to go /P, but CJ VK4YR [my son] and I will try to [subject to my eyes staying open] have 23, 13, 9 and 3cm operating from the home QTH.

[VK4CDI]

Won't be able to make it ......will be in VE land....

Phil VK4CDI

[VK4LHD]

Well here we are 5 days out from the April 23 on 23 and still no official word from anyone on where they are going or if they can make it. I'm still waiting to hear from Rex if his plans are still on to use Howells Knob as I would like to activate it if he or anyone else is not going there. Other wise it will either be McCarthys Lookout again or just the top of Buderim.

I now only have 1296, 2.4, 5.7 and 10Ghz as my 3.4Ghz gear has been sold. I would really like to hear from anyone going out on Sunday as it makes life a lot easier you know who is out and where you are.

Cheers
Robert
VK4LHD

[VK4OE]

Greetings to all!

Well, I do still have an idea to go to the Border Ranges National Park (BRNP) in Northern NSW, but the weather forecast for Kyogle (the closest town) is a 90% chance of rain - not real good for playing with amateur microwave gear out of doors, and not the best conditions for microwave propagation either. Whether I go there will involve a last minute decision that is very subject to the way the weather develops between now and Sunday.

Regarding Rex '4REX, he has advised me that, despite his earlier enthusiasm for the Sunday event, he will not be going out anywhere this time. I had been hoping that he and I might try a 47 GHz contact between BRNP and Howells Knob - that will have to wait for an opportunity later in the year. Wet weather would completely kill any chance of successful mm-wave QSOs anyway.

If there does seem to be a patch of relatively good weather on Sunday, I may abandon going to BRNP (it takes two and a half hours to drive there each way!) and I may just explore some high country down near Jimboomba. Weather permitting, the bands I would like to try to use are 1296, 2403, 3400, 5760, 10368 and 24048 MHz.

We'll see.....

--Doug Friend, VK4OE.

[VK4LHD]

Thanks for that Doug. If Rex ain't going up to Howells Knob then I defiantly activating Howells Knob. As far as I can see the start time is still 2pm so I should on site before 1pm. If you got 5.7Ghz working there Doug can you please take it with you. I really need a good on air test of 5.7GHz. I only just put the 14W PA back online and have no way of testing it other than taking it out into the field. I will still have the above mentioned bands with me, 1296, 2.4, 5.7 and 10Ghz so even in the rain they should still be possible.

Cheers
Robert
VK4LHD

[VK4AFL]

Will be available 23 cm/13 cm & looking forward to the activity.

73, Trevor, VK4AFL.

[VK4OE]

Greetings again to all.
It's now Saturday evening and, based on what is now a forecast of only minimal showers, I have decided to go all the way tomorrow to the Border Ranges National Park, QG61NP. I should be operational on site from there by about 1 p.m. local time, 0300 UTC.
I should have all bands available from 1296 MHz to 10368 MHz inclusive. (I'll leave higher frequencies for another time.....) Liaison will chiefly be on the 147 MHz 'RBN repeater. Simplex FM on 146.5 MHz is also a good possibility.
Here's hoping that, despite various 'scratchings', numbers of microwave contacts will be possible tomorrow!
--Doug, '4OE.

[VK4KJJ]

At short notice I decided to go portable. Had a great day. Best contact for me was 120 km on 3398.1 and 10368.1 MHz.

Geoff VK4KJJ

[VK4AFL]

An excellent afternoon with a lot of activity & good wx for the portable stations. Worked on 23 cm were VK4LHD/p, VK4KJJ/p, VK4OE/p, VK4JAM, VK4ALH/p, VK4CZ, VK4VU, VK4EMS, VK4ZL/p, VK2MAX & on 13 cm VK4KAY, VK4CZ, VK4EMS, VK4LHD/p, VK4OE/p.
Tnx for the considerable effort that went into the portable operations & looking forward to the next one!

73, Trevor, VK4AFL.