222 MHz Nevada Trip

Dates: October 13/14, 2020
Call: KB7Q
QTH: DN21qx, Jackpot, Nevada
Frequency: 222.080 MHz MHz KB7Q always first, EME JT65b/Meteor Scatter FSK441
Gear: IC-7300->Q5 transverter->800 watt SSPA -> WD5AGO pre-amp -> Long Yagi,
Full elevation and polarity adjustment.
Note: Internet should be available - HB9Q Logger for EME, PingJockey for meteor scatter.

EME start times (MR plus az/el to avoid casino noise):
October 12 - Evening Meteor scatter/tropo
October 13 - 1200z EME
October 14 - 1230z EME
October 15 - 1200z Meteor Scatter  

  Thanks to N9HF's donation  I've added a fiberglass top section to my mast so I can twist the Yagi's boom to vertical to combat Faraday rotation as needed.   

   We had extreme winds on the ride down from Bozeman, so we had to throttle back to 55 mph to stay on the road. There was less wind, and a lovely sunny day upon our arrival for setting up.

The trip was a great success, several folks added to their W.A.S. count. WA4NJP (-20), N9HF (-25), K5QE (-21), K1OR (-25), W4ZST (-21) and W5ZN (-25) all logged on a moonrise session. Later in the afternoon KL6M (-25) changed the feed for his dish and we worked in five minutes, then it took almost an hour but K7EME (-27) and I completed. K7ULS, and NJ7A were worked on tropo, and W9RM added on meteor scatter. Conditions were quite good and being able to twist my Yagi to change polarity really helped at times.

More big  winds on the trip back to Bozeman, MT, but we took our time, and camped our last night of the RV season an hour from home. LoTW fed.

Fall colors are where you find them. 15 el. M2 Yagi.

The location turned out to be very quiet to the east out over the airport.

222 MHz Activity Weekend EME/MS

September 19-20, 2020
DN45lo - Bozeman, Montana

 Time to scratch the 222 itch before the snow flies. I'll set the station up out at the barn for the weekend. I can do both meteor scatter and monnbounce. The station is a single long Yagi w/elevation, superb WD5AGO preamp, and a LDMOS amp with 800 watts. 

Moonrise + ridge clearance times:
September 19, 2020 1630z
September 20, 2020 1745z

I'll use the HB9Q Logger to coordinate EME ops, and PingJockey for meteor scatter. 

I discovered +20 db of local noise on my moonrise to the east, but elevated above 30 degrees everything was fine. I worked KL6M (-25) and K1WHS (-21) both on a setting moon September 18th. The next day I logged WA4NJP (-25), K5DOG (-27), and W4ZST (-17). On the 20th W5ZN (-28) was added. For variety W9RM was worked via meteor scatter, and W7ID on tropo to help him complete his 222 VUCC award. All in all a very good weekend for 222 Mhz operations.

K1WHS between the birdies.

Single Yagi to single Yagi 222 EME contact with K5DOG. Sweet!