20+ Years of Ontario SHF Activity Steve Kavanagh, VE3SMA and Roger Sanderson, VE3RKS

Topics to be Covered History of activity above 3 GHz in Ontario History of activity above 3 GHz in Ontario Some accomplishments and observations Some accomplishments and observations Current activity Current activity Where do we go from here ? Where do we go from here ?

In the beginning… Dana, VE3DSS/VE3KU, found an annotated photo of Toronto area VHFers in the 1950’s that hints that at least one may have been active on 10 GHz at that time Dana, VE3DSS/VE3KU, found an annotated photo of Toronto area VHFers in the 1950’s that hints that at least one may have been active on 10 GHz at that time Hans, VE3CRU (SK), had Gunnplexers ca Hans, VE3CRU (SK), had Gunnplexers ca Things really got started in the mid-80s with wideband FM on 10 GHz Things really got started in the mid-80s with wideband FM on 10 GHz

VE2DUB Prime mover behind 10 GHz WBFM activity in Montreal area, using Gunnplexers Prime mover behind 10 GHz WBFM activity in Montreal area, using Gunnplexers Wrote microwave column in “The Canadian Amateur” Wrote microwave column in “The Canadian Amateur” When I moved from Montreal to Ontario I brought some of his enthusiasm (and some X- band alarm modules) with me When I moved from Montreal to Ontario I brought some of his enthusiasm (and some X- band alarm modules) with me

VE3LPP & VE3EZP My 1st 10 GHz QSO in Ontario was with Bruce, VE3LPP, in 1986 My 1st 10 GHz QSO in Ontario was with Bruce, VE3LPP, in 1986 –His was the only callsign in my GHz Contest log ! –Now VE6LPP John, VE3EZP, joined the activity in 1987 John, VE3EZP, joined the activity in 1987

VE3EZP and VE3LPP

More Activity Activity snowballed after that Activity snowballed after that Equipment was a mix of M/A-COM Gunnplexers, Burglar Alarm Gunn Modules and other surplus Gunn oscillators (with 30 or 90 MHz IF), and Equipment was a mix of M/A-COM Gunnplexers, Burglar Alarm Gunn Modules and other surplus Gunn oscillators (with 30 or 90 MHz IF), and Kevin, VE3KDH (now VE3KH) distributed a lot of surplus Tellurometers to amateurs Kevin, VE3KDH (now VE3KH) distributed a lot of surplus Tellurometers to amateurs –50 mW Klystron, 10” dish, GHz, IF ~ 33 MHz –Description at One year there were 20 callsigns active in southern Ontario in the 10 GHz Contest One year there were 20 callsigns active in southern Ontario in the 10 GHz Contest VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) in June ’92 contest had 33 QSOs on 10 GHz VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) in June ’92 contest had 33 QSOs on 10 GHz

Tellurometer 10 GHz WBFM Rig

10 GHz at Rattlesnake Point

VE3MWM

The advent of 24 GHz WBFM VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) made a single QSO on 24 GHz in June 1992 contest. VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) made a single QSO on 24 GHz in June 1992 contest. My first 24 GHz rigs (ca. 1996) were converted Kustom speed radars (still in use in VHF contests!) My first 24 GHz rigs (ca. 1996) were converted Kustom speed radars (still in use in VHF contests!) –Gunn oscillator, about 150 mW, 2 inch circular horn Others used low power Gunn modules available from SHF Microwave Others used low power Gunn modules available from SHF Microwave –VE3OIK, VE3FHM, VE3VXO or converted point-to-point Gunn radio or converted point-to-point Gunn radio –VE3EZP

VE3VXO with 10/24 GHz WBFM Rig

VE3SMA 24 GHz WBFM Loaner

VE3OIK & VE3SMA WBFM Gear

The “Middle” Bands Activity on 3.4 and 5.7 GHz came later Activity on 3.4 and 5.7 GHz came later –Skipped the WBFM stage 1 st Claimed 3.4 GHz QSO in Canada 1 st Claimed 3.4 GHz QSO in Canada –VE3PFC – VE3SMA 1991 VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) had 5 QSOs on 3456 MHz in June ’92 contest VE3ONT multi-op (at VE3ASO) had 5 QSOs on 3456 MHz in June ’92 contest 1 st Claimed 5.7 GHz QSO in Canada 1 st Claimed 5.7 GHz QSO in Canada –VE3DJ – VE3OIK/VE3SMA 1994

The “Behemoth” 3456 Tx/Rx

VE3DJ 5760 MHz Gear DEMI (?) Transverter & IC-1271 DEMI (?) Transverter & IC-1271

VE3OIK/VE3SMA 5760 MHz Gear Tx: PLL Brick using FSK Tx: PLL Brick using FSK Rx: PLL Brick, surplus W/G mixer, FT-290R Rx: PLL Brick, surplus W/G mixer, FT-290R

1 st 5.7 GHz QSO team

Above 30 GHz Only activity except lasers has been by RVHFG members’ expeditions Only activity except lasers has been by RVHFG members’ expeditions

The Modern Era Dennis Mungham, VE3ASO (SK), and Don Jarvis, VE2DWG, were the first in Canada on 10 GHz SSB (SSB Electronics transverter, I think) Dennis Mungham, VE3ASO (SK), and Don Jarvis, VE2DWG, were the first in Canada on 10 GHz SSB (SSB Electronics transverter, I think) Next was Stu Beal, VE3MWM, with SSB Electronics transverter – not sure if he ever made a QSO with it. Next was Stu Beal, VE3MWM, with SSB Electronics transverter – not sure if he ever made a QSO with it. Then Bob Golden, VE3OIK, built a homebrew transverter and started working unheard of distances on 10 GHz – the rest of us followed Then Bob Golden, VE3OIK, built a homebrew transverter and started working unheard of distances on 10 GHz – the rest of us followed WBFM on 10 & 24 GHz has almost completely disappeared, replaced with CW/SSB WBFM on 10 & 24 GHz has almost completely disappeared, replaced with CW/SSB

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

Arthur VE3ZV (SK)

VE4MA and VE3KRP

Long Point

More Long Point

Some Accomplishments DX Records and Firsts DX Records and Firsts Algonquin Radio Observatory EME Algonquin Radio Observatory EME Contest Activity Contest Activity VUCC VUCC Propagation Observations Propagation Observations

DX Records and Firsts Ontario amateurs have been the first in Canada to make QSOs on several microwave bands Ontario amateurs have been the first in Canada to make QSOs on several microwave bands Current Canadian DX records held by Ontario operators: Current Canadian DX records held by Ontario operators: –10 GHz VE-W VE3ZV-AF1T/W1MKY 801 km (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-W VE3FN/2-N1JEZ 232 km (tropo)

10 GHz EME from Algonquin Park

46 m dish (150 ft) in FN05, 100 watt TWT 46 m dish (150 ft) in FN05, 100 watt TWT Team of VE3ASO, VA3LK, W9IP, VA3MW, VE3LMK, VE3UXZ, VE3/SM0DFP, K2UYH Team of VE3ASO, VA3LK, W9IP, VA3MW, VE3LMK, VE3UXZ, VE3/SM0DFP, K2UYH Worked 14 stations in 10 DXCC countries on 10 GHz EME (all on CW) in 1995 Worked 14 stations in 10 DXCC countries on 10 GHz EME (all on CW) in

Contest Activity VHF Contests – regular activity > 3 GHz VHF Contests – regular activity > 3 GHz –VE3NPB/R, VE3OIL/R, VE3SMA/R, VE3ZV, VE3WCC (June) –Sometimes others: VE3RKS/R, VE3KH/R –UHF Contest activity spotty due to holiday weekend 10 GHz & Up Contest – has had entrants from Ontario every year since GHz & Up Contest – has had entrants from Ontario every year since 1987 –normally some stations active all 4 days about 8 AM-8 PM

VUCC Several VUCC awards have been issued (quite a few more have been earned but not applied for) Several VUCC awards have been issued (quite a few more have been earned but not applied for) 3.4 GHz: VE3SMA 3.4 GHz: VE3SMA 5.7 GHz: (none) 5.7 GHz: (none) 10 GHz: VE3SMA, VE3TFU 10 GHz: VE3SMA, VE3TFU 24 GHz: VE3SMA 24 GHz: VE3SMA As far as I know nobody has achieved the 10 grid level on any of these bands yet As far as I know nobody has achieved the 10 grid level on any of these bands yet

Propagation Observations Low Level 10 & 24 GHz Paths over the Great Lakes Low Level 10 & 24 GHz Paths over the Great Lakes Blocked and Bounce Paths on 10 GHz Blocked and Bounce Paths on 10 GHz

10 & 24 GHz on the Beach Ontario has no real mountains…so we have to make do Ontario has no real mountains…so we have to make do We’ve made a lot of QSOs between beaches on Lake Erie We’ve made a lot of QSOs between beaches on Lake Erie Just started to try the same on Lake Ontario Just started to try the same on Lake Ontario

Wheatley – Long Point Path

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

Best Beach-to-Beach on Lake Ontario 300 km 300 km FN03cg to shore nr. Watertown

Lake Erie Sites

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

Bounce Paths

A Tantalizing One that Got Away Also had some QSOs on Lake Erie where sigs peaked pointing out into lake – over the horizon ships ? Also had some QSOs on Lake Erie where sigs peaked pointing out into lake – over the horizon ships ?

Beacons So far only one above 3 GHz So far only one above 3 GHz VE3ZV/B VE3ZV/B EN92vw EN92vw GHz (or so !) GHz (or so !) 100 mW to small horn – can be pointed in different directions on request from Steve, VE3TFU/VE3ZV 100 mW to small horn – can be pointed in different directions on request from Steve, VE3TFU/VE3ZV Has been heard many times at >100 km and on rain scatter Has been heard many times at >100 km and on rain scatter

Currently Active – VE3FHM 10 GHz only 10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3FN 10 & 24 GHz 10 & 24 GHz Photo at Mt- Tremblant, QC – FN26rf Photo at Mt- Tremblant, QC – FN26rf

Currently Active – VE3KH 10 GHz only 10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3NPB 10 & 24 GHz (and 3.4/5.7 GHz/laser in June contest with VE3OIL equipment) 10 & 24 GHz (and 3.4/5.7 GHz/laser in June contest with VE3OIL equipment)

Currently Active – VE3OIL 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser

Currently Active – VE3RKS 10 GHz only 10 GHz only

Currently Active – VE3SMA – GHz - Laser – GHz - Laser

Currently Active – VE3TFU/ZV 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser 3.4 – 5.7 – 10 – 24 GHz - Laser

Currently Active – VE3WCC June Contests from FN04xa June Contests from FN04xa West Carleton ARC (Ottawa area) West Carleton ARC (Ottawa area) 10 GHz (38 QSOs in 2009) 10 GHz (38 QSOs in 2009) 5.8 GHz coming 5.8 GHz coming

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 Targets 10 Grids on 10 GHz – some of us have 6-8 from various sites 10 Grids on 10 GHz – some of us have 6-8 from various sites 10 & 24 GHz VUCC for newer operators 10 & 24 GHz VUCC for newer operators 5.7 GHz VUCC 5.7 GHz VUCC

Grid Expeditions ? Is anyone in Rochester area interested in upping grid count ? Is anyone in Rochester area interested in upping grid count ? Possible grids without too much trouble that are not always easy from WNY: Possible grids without too much trouble that are not always easy from WNY: –EN82, EN93, EN94 –FN05 –FN15, FN25, FN26

Greater Distances ? It’s tough to beat the km distances on GHz between southern Ontario and WNY ! It’s tough to beat the km distances on GHz between southern Ontario and WNY ! Possibility to extend low level over water distance to > 300 km Possibility to extend low level over water distance to > 300 km There’s still room for 24 GHz VE-W record to be extended There’s still room for 24 GHz VE-W record to be extended

Higher Bands ? Not much evidence of interest in Ontario for 47 GHz and up at present Not much evidence of interest in Ontario for 47 GHz and up at present Several of us would like to try….but hard to justify effort compared to other projects Several of us would like to try….but hard to justify effort compared to other projects

VE3SMA Laser Transceiver

VE3SMA Laser Xcvr – RX Side

VE3SMA Breadboard Laser Transmitter

More Home Stations ? VE3TFU/ZV (EN92vw) has 3.4 GHz (40 watts to good antenna) at home VE3TFU/ZV (EN92vw) has 3.4 GHz (40 watts to good antenna) at home And had 10 GHz (2W to horn) on tower for September VHF Contest And had 10 GHz (2W to horn) on tower for September VHF Contest VE3KH (FN03aj) is considering tower- mounted 10 GHz gear VE3KH (FN03aj) is considering tower- mounted 10 GHz gear

Increasing Activity ? Too many “SK” shown in these slides ! Too many “SK” shown in these slides ! Not enough young hams Not 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 expensive for most hams ! Since WBFM-to-NB switch at 10 GHz rigs are too expensive for most hams ! –VE3OIL 5.8 GHz Phones with external antenna on base unit can just reach 1 km –VE3XK has acquired phones for VE3WCC contest operation which give 2 km range unmodified Progress report on Progress report on –Low-cost rig design for other bands ? Bring a friend Bring a friend SBMS 2 GHz & Up Contest ? SBMS 2 GHz & Up Contest ?