20+ Years of 20+ Years of Ontario SHF Activity Ontario SHF Activity

Steve Kavanagh, VE3SMASteve Kavanagh, VE3SMA

andand

Roger Sanderson, VE3RKSRoger Sanderson, VE3RKS

Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

• History of activity above 3 GHz in History of activity above 3 GHz in OntarioOntario

• Some accomplishments and Some accomplishments and observationsobservations

• Current activityCurrent activity

• Where do we go from here ?Where do we go from here ?

In the beginning…In the beginning…

• Dana, VE3DSS/VE3KU, found an Dana, VE3DSS/VE3KU, found an annotated photo of Toronto area annotated photo of Toronto area VHFers in the 1950’s that hints that VHFers in the 1950’s that hints that at least one may have been active on at least one may have been active on 10 GHz at that time10 GHz at that time

• Hans, VE3CRU (SK), had Gunnplexers Hans, VE3CRU (SK), had Gunnplexers ca. 1980ca. 1980

• Things really got started in the mid-Things really got started in the mid-80s with wideband FM on 10 GHz80s with wideband FM on 10 GHz

VE2DUBVE2DUB

• Prime mover behind 10 Prime mover behind 10 GHz WBFM activity in GHz WBFM activity in Montreal area, using Montreal area, using GunnplexersGunnplexers

• Wrote microwave column Wrote microwave column in “The Canadian in “The Canadian Amateur”Amateur”

• When I moved from When I moved from Montreal to Ontario I Montreal to Ontario I brought some of his brought some of his enthusiasm (and some X-enthusiasm (and some X-band alarm modules) band alarm modules) with mewith me

VE3LPP & VE3EZPVE3LPP & VE3EZP

• My 1st 10 GHz QSO in Ontario was My 1st 10 GHz QSO in Ontario was with Bruce, VE3LPP, in 1986with Bruce, VE3LPP, in 1986– His was the only callsign in my 1986 10 His was the only callsign in my 1986 10

GHz Contest log !GHz Contest log !– Now VE6LPPNow VE6LPP

• John, VE3EZP, joined the activity in John, VE3EZP, joined the activity in 19871987

VE3EZP and VE3LPPVE3EZP and VE3LPP

More ActivityMore Activity• Activity snowballed after thatActivity snowballed after that• Equipment was a mix of M/A-COM Gunnplexers, Equipment was a mix of M/A-COM Gunnplexers,

Burglar Alarm Gunn Modules and other surplus Burglar Alarm Gunn Modules and other surplus Gunn oscillators (with 30 or 90 MHz IF), andGunn oscillators (with 30 or 90 MHz IF), and

• Kevin, VE3KDH (now VE3KH) distributed a lot of Kevin, VE3KDH (now VE3KH) distributed a lot of surplus Tellurometers to amateurssurplus Tellurometers to amateurs– 50 mW Klystron, 10” dish, 10.050-10.450 GHz, IF ~ 33 50 mW Klystron, 10” dish, 10.050-10.450 GHz, IF ~ 33

MHzMHz– Description at Description at

http://www.wcarc.on.ca/ve3cvg_tellurometer/Tellurometer_files/frame.http://www.wcarc.on.ca/ve3cvg_tellurometer/Tellurometer_files/frame.htmhtm

• One year there were 20 callsigns active in One year there were 20 callsigns active in southern Ontario in the 10 GHz Contestsouthern Ontario in the 10 GHz Contest

• VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) in June ’92 contest VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) in June ’92 contest had 33 QSOs on 10 GHz had 33 QSOs on 10 GHz

Tellurometer 10 GHz WBFM Tellurometer 10 GHz WBFM RigRig

10 GHz at Rattlesnake Point10 GHz at Rattlesnake Point

VE3MWMVE3MWM

The advent of 24 GHz WBFM The advent of 24 GHz WBFM

• VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) made a VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) made a single QSO on 24 GHz in June 1992 contest.single QSO on 24 GHz in June 1992 contest.

• My first 24 GHz rigs (ca. 1996) were My first 24 GHz rigs (ca. 1996) were converted Kustom speed radars (still in use converted Kustom speed radars (still in use in VHF contests!)in VHF contests!)– Gunn oscillator, about 150 mW, 2 inch circular Gunn oscillator, about 150 mW, 2 inch circular

hornhorn• Others used low power Gunn modules Others used low power Gunn modules

available from SHF Microwaveavailable from SHF Microwave– VE3OIK, VE3FHM, VE3VXOVE3OIK, VE3FHM, VE3VXO

• or converted point-to-point Gunn radioor converted point-to-point Gunn radio– VE3EZPVE3EZP

VE3VXO with 10/24 GHz WBFM VE3VXO with 10/24 GHz WBFM RigRig

VE3SMA 24 GHz WBFM VE3SMA 24 GHz WBFM LoanerLoaner

VE3OIK & VE3SMA WBFM VE3OIK & VE3SMA WBFM GearGear

The “Middle” BandsThe “Middle” Bands

• Activity on 3.4 and 5.7 GHz came laterActivity on 3.4 and 5.7 GHz came later– Skipped the WBFM stageSkipped the WBFM stage

• 11stst Claimed 3.4 GHz QSO in Canada Claimed 3.4 GHz QSO in Canada– VE3PFC – VE3SMA 1991VE3PFC – VE3SMA 1991

• VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) had 5 VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) had 5 QSOs on 3456 MHz in June ’92 contestQSOs on 3456 MHz in June ’92 contest

• 11stst Claimed 5.7 GHz QSO in Canada Claimed 5.7 GHz QSO in Canada– VE3DJ – VE3OIK/VE3SMA 1994VE3DJ – VE3OIK/VE3SMA 1994

The “Behemoth” 3456 Tx/RxThe “Behemoth” 3456 Tx/Rx

VE3DJ 5760 MHz GearVE3DJ 5760 MHz Gear

• DEMI (?) Transverter & IC-1271DEMI (?) Transverter & IC-1271

VE3OIK/VE3SMA 5760 MHz VE3OIK/VE3SMA 5760 MHz GearGear

• Tx: PLL Brick Tx: PLL Brick using FSKusing FSK

• Rx: PLL Brick, Rx: PLL Brick, surplus W/G surplus W/G mixer, FT-mixer, FT-290R290R

11stst 5.7 GHz QSO team 5.7 GHz QSO team

Above 30 GHzAbove 30 GHz

• Only activity except lasers has been Only activity except lasers has been by RVHFG members’ expeditionsby RVHFG members’ expeditions

The Modern EraThe Modern Era

• Dennis Mungham, VE3ASO (SK), and Don Jarvis, Dennis Mungham, VE3ASO (SK), and Don Jarvis, VE2DWG, were the first in Canada on 10 GHz VE2DWG, were the first in Canada on 10 GHz SSB (SSB Electronics transverter, I think)SSB (SSB Electronics transverter, I think)

• Next was Stu Beal, VE3MWM, with SSB Next was Stu Beal, VE3MWM, with SSB Electronics transverter – not sure if he ever Electronics transverter – not sure if he ever made a QSO with it.made a QSO with it.

• Then Bob Golden, VE3OIK, built a homebrew Then Bob Golden, VE3OIK, built a homebrew transverter and started working unheard of transverter and started working unheard of distances on 10 GHz – the rest of us followeddistances on 10 GHz – the rest of us followed

• WBFM on 10 & 24 GHz has almost completely WBFM on 10 & 24 GHz has almost completely disappeared, replaced with CW/SSBdisappeared, replaced with CW/SSB

VE3NPB & VE3RKS With VE3NPB & VE3RKS With VE3OIK’s WBFM and NB Rigs in VE3OIK’s WBFM and NB Rigs in Port StanleyPort Stanley

Arthur VE3ZV (SK)Arthur VE3ZV (SK)

VE4MA and VE3KRPVE4MA and VE3KRP

Long PointLong Point

More Long PointMore Long Point

Some AccomplishmentsSome Accomplishments

• DX Records and FirstsDX Records and Firsts

• Algonquin Radio Observatory EMEAlgonquin Radio Observatory EME

• Contest ActivityContest Activity

• VUCCVUCC

• Propagation ObservationsPropagation Observations

DX Records and FirstsDX Records and Firsts

• Ontario amateurs have been the first in Ontario amateurs have been the first in Canada to make QSOs on several Canada to make QSOs on several microwave bandsmicrowave bands

• Current Canadian DX records held by Current Canadian DX records held by Ontario operators:Ontario operators:– 10 GHz VE-W VE3ZV-AF1T/W1MKY 801 km 10 GHz VE-W VE3ZV-AF1T/W1MKY 801 km

(tropo)(tropo)• previous record VE3KRP-KM0T 791 km (rain scatter)previous record VE3KRP-KM0T 791 km (rain scatter)

– 24 GHz VE-VE VE3ZV-VE3SMA 210 km (tropo)24 GHz VE-VE VE3ZV-VE3SMA 210 km (tropo)– 24 GHz VE-W VE3FN/2-N1JEZ 232 km (tropo)24 GHz VE-W VE3FN/2-N1JEZ 232 km (tropo)

10 GHz EME from Algonquin 10 GHz EME from Algonquin ParkPark

10 GHz EME from Algonquin 10 GHz EME from Algonquin ParkPark

• 46 m dish (150 ft) in FN05, 100 watt 46 m dish (150 ft) in FN05, 100 watt TWTTWT

• Team of VE3ASO, VA3LK, W9IP, VA3MW, Team of VE3ASO, VA3LK, W9IP, VA3MW, VE3LMK, VE3UXZ, VE3/SM0DFP, K2UYHVE3LMK, VE3UXZ, VE3/SM0DFP, K2UYH

• Worked 14 stations in 10 DXCC Worked 14 stations in 10 DXCC countries on 10 GHz EME (all on CW) in countries on 10 GHz EME (all on CW) in 19951995

• http://www.arocanada.com/http://www.arocanada.com/

Contest ActivityContest Activity• VHF Contests – regular activity > 3 GHzVHF Contests – regular activity > 3 GHz

– VE3NPB/R, VE3OIL/R, VE3SMA/R, VE3ZV, VE3NPB/R, VE3OIL/R, VE3SMA/R, VE3ZV, VE3WCC (June)VE3WCC (June)

– Sometimes others: VE3RKS/R, VE3KH/RSometimes others: VE3RKS/R, VE3KH/R– UHF Contest activity spotty due to holiday UHF Contest activity spotty due to holiday

weekendweekend

• 10 GHz & Up Contest – has had 10 GHz & Up Contest – has had entrants from Ontario every year since entrants from Ontario every year since 19871987– normally some stations active all 4 days normally some stations active all 4 days

about 8 AM-8 PMabout 8 AM-8 PM

VUCCVUCC

• Several VUCC awards have been issued Several VUCC awards have been issued (quite a few more have been earned but not (quite a few more have been earned but not applied for)applied for)

• 3.4 GHz: VE3SMA3.4 GHz: VE3SMA

• 5.7 GHz: (none)5.7 GHz: (none)

• 10 GHz: VE3SMA, VE3TFU10 GHz: VE3SMA, VE3TFU

• 24 GHz: VE3SMA24 GHz: VE3SMA

• As far as I know nobody has achieved the As far as I know nobody has achieved the 10 grid level on any of these bands yet10 grid level on any of these bands yet

Propagation ObservationsPropagation Observations

• Low Level 10 & 24 GHz Paths over Low Level 10 & 24 GHz Paths over the Great Lakesthe Great Lakes

• Blocked and Bounce Paths on 10 GHzBlocked and Bounce Paths on 10 GHz

10 & 24 GHz on the Beach10 & 24 GHz on the Beach

• Ontario has no real mountains…so Ontario has no real mountains…so we have to make dowe have to make do

• We’ve made a lot of QSOs between We’ve made a lot of QSOs between beaches on Lake Eriebeaches on Lake Erie

• Just started to try the same on Lake Just started to try the same on Lake OntarioOntario

Wheatley – Long Point PathWheatley – Long Point Path

210 km on 24 GHz & 269 km 210 km on 24 GHz & 269 km on on 10 GHz Between Beaches 10 GHz Between Beaches

Best Beach-to-Beach on Best Beach-to-Beach on Lake OntarioLake Ontario

• 300 km300 km

FN03cg toFN03cg to

shore nr.shore nr.

WatertowWatertownn

Lake Erie SitesLake Erie Sites

Blocked PathsBlocked Paths• Fonthill…view towards Orono (~120 km)Fonthill…view towards Orono (~120 km)

Bounce PathsBounce Paths

A Tantalizing One that Got A Tantalizing One that Got AwayAway

• Also had Also had some some QSOs on QSOs on Lake Erie Lake Erie where sigs where sigs peaked peaked pointing pointing out into out into lake – over lake – over the the horizon horizon ships ?ships ?

BeaconsBeacons• So far only one above 3 GHzSo far only one above 3 GHz• VE3ZV/BVE3ZV/B• EN92vwEN92vw• 10.320 GHz (or so !)10.320 GHz (or so !)• 100 mW to small horn – can be 100 mW to small horn – can be

pointed in different directions on pointed in different directions on request from Steve, VE3TFU/VE3ZVrequest from Steve, VE3TFU/VE3ZV

• Has been heard many times at >100 Has been heard many times at >100 km and on rain scatterkm and on rain scatter

Currently Active – VE3FHMCurrently Active – VE3FHM

• 10 GHz only10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3FNCurrently Active – VE3FN

• 10 & 24 10 & 24 GHzGHz

• Photo at Mt-Photo at Mt-Tremblant, Tremblant, QC – FN26rfQC – FN26rf

Currently Active – VE3KHCurrently Active – VE3KH

• 10 GHz only10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3NPBCurrently Active – VE3NPB• 10 & 24 GHz (and 3.4/5.7 GHz/laser in 10 & 24 GHz (and 3.4/5.7 GHz/laser in

June contest with VE3OIL equipment)June contest with VE3OIL equipment)

Currently Active – VE3OILCurrently Active – VE3OIL• 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 –

24 GHz - Laser24 GHz - Laser

Currently Active – VE3RKSCurrently Active – VE3RKS

• 10 GHz only10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3SMACurrently Active – VE3SMA• 3.4 - 5.7 – 10 - 24 GHz - Laser3.4 - 5.7 – 10 - 24 GHz - Laser

Currently Active – Currently Active – VE3TFU/ZVVE3TFU/ZV• 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser

Currently Active – VE3WCCCurrently Active – VE3WCC

• June Contests June Contests from FN04xafrom FN04xa

• West Carleton West Carleton ARC (Ottawa ARC (Ottawa area)area)

• 10 GHz (38 10 GHz (38 QSOs in 2009)QSOs in 2009)

• 5.8 GHz 5.8 GHz comingcoming

What Do We Do Now ?What Do We Do Now ?

• VUCC ?VUCC ?

• Greater Distances ?Greater Distances ?

• Higher Bands ?Higher Bands ?

• Practical Laser Gear ?Practical Laser Gear ?

• More Home Stations ?More Home Stations ?

• Grid Expeditions ?Grid Expeditions ?

• Increasing Activity ?Increasing Activity ?

VUCC TargetsVUCC Targets

• 10 Grids on 10 GHz – some of us 10 Grids on 10 GHz – some of us have 6-8 from various siteshave 6-8 from various sites

• 10 & 24 GHz VUCC for newer 10 & 24 GHz VUCC for newer operatorsoperators

• 5.7 GHz VUCC 5.7 GHz VUCC

Grid Expeditions ?Grid Expeditions ?

• Is anyone in Rochester area Is anyone in Rochester area interested in upping grid count ?interested in upping grid count ?

• Possible grids without too much Possible grids without too much trouble that are not always easy from trouble that are not always easy from WNY: WNY: – EN82, EN93, EN94 EN82, EN93, EN94 – FN05FN05– FN15, FN25, FN26FN15, FN25, FN26

Greater Distances ?Greater Distances ?

• It’s tough to beat the 600-800 km It’s tough to beat the 600-800 km distances on 3.4 - 10 GHz between distances on 3.4 - 10 GHz between southern Ontario and WNY !southern Ontario and WNY !

• Possibility to extend low level over Possibility to extend low level over water distance to > 300 kmwater distance to > 300 km

• There’s still room for 24 GHz VE-W There’s still room for 24 GHz VE-W record to be extendedrecord to be extended

Higher Bands ?Higher Bands ?

• Not much evidence of interest in Not much evidence of interest in Ontario for 47 GHz and up at presentOntario for 47 GHz and up at present

• Several of us would like to try….but Several of us would like to try….but hard to justify effort compared to hard to justify effort compared to other projectsother projects

VE3SMA Laser TransceiverVE3SMA Laser Transceiver

VE3SMA Laser Xcvr – RX VE3SMA Laser Xcvr – RX SideSide

VE3SMA Breadboard Laser VE3SMA Breadboard Laser TransmitterTransmitter

More Home Stations ?More Home Stations ?

• VE3TFU/ZV (EN92vw) has 3.4 GHz VE3TFU/ZV (EN92vw) has 3.4 GHz (40 watts to good antenna) at home(40 watts to good antenna) at home

• And had 10 GHz (2W to horn) on And had 10 GHz (2W to horn) on tower for September VHF Contesttower for September VHF Contest

• VE3KH (FN03aj) is considering tower-VE3KH (FN03aj) is considering tower-mounted 10 GHz gearmounted 10 GHz gear

Increasing Activity ?Increasing Activity ?• Too many “SK” shown in these slides !Too many “SK” shown in these slides !• Not enough young hamsNot enough young hams• Experienced microwavers have done the easy stuff Experienced microwavers have done the easy stuff • Since WBFM-to-NB switch at 10 GHz rigs are too Since WBFM-to-NB switch at 10 GHz rigs are too

expensive for most hams !expensive for most hams !– VE3OIL 5.8 GHz Phones with external antenna on base VE3OIL 5.8 GHz Phones with external antenna on base

unit can just reach 1 kmunit can just reach 1 km– VE3XK has acquired phones for VE3WCC contest VE3XK has acquired phones for VE3WCC contest

operation which give 2 km range unmodifiedoperation which give 2 km range unmodified• Progress report on www.wcarc.on.caProgress report on www.wcarc.on.ca

– Low-cost rig design for other bands ?Low-cost rig design for other bands ?

• Bring a friend Bring a friend • SBMS 2 GHz & Up Contest ?SBMS 2 GHz & Up Contest ?