23CM EME Goal Set, Goal Met

 December 11, 2020

When I started the 23cm EME project a few months back I hoped to be able work down to the level of a twin to my meager station. I'm a 1.6M dish, with 275 watts at the feed. Today I completed a JT65c contact with W2HRO and his 200w, 1.8M dish station. Both of us were using folding, metalized fabric dishes with patch feeds, all of his design, which made it even more fun. 

I also completed easily this morning with AA4MD (-22) to make it 45 unique stations worked on 1296 MHz in just over a month. Three CW contacts have been logged so far. I hope this suggests to others what can be achieved on 23cm EME with a modest station.

 

1.6M to 1.8M folding dish contact. Click on image to enlarge.