[FLWSS] Making 10 GHz contacts

[George Presley]

Things are filtering down now and I think I now understand some of the pros
and cons of the different ways to express a location.
 
1) Maidenhead, unless carried out to 8 places or great distances, is the
least accurate.

2) Hddd*mm'ss.s format, with WAAS active, is accurate to <10 ft. Simply, the
longer the data string is, the more accurate the data. Even without WAAS and
5 or more satellites, accuracies of <30 ft. are common. That's very
adequate. 
   
3) The other two common long/lat formats can give similar results but the
issue is that we all use the same or recognize and convert formats given to
us by another party. It's not necessary to decide on a standard today, it's
just knowing the difference for now. It could cost you a contact.

*****

I'm not the expert, but I've learned a thing or two about making contacts on
10 GHz.

1) The very first thing is that both stations need to be on the same
FREQUENCY! Do not go to step 2 unless step 1 is satisfied. Then the rest is
easy. If step 1 can't be achieved, go to step 2 and hope conditions are good
enough for the proverbial "Blind Squirrel" to find a nut.

2) Point the dish square with the horizon. Simple.
 
3) The station[A] that has the best ability to accurately point at the other
station[B] should initiate the contact. Transmit a side tone or switch to
FM, CW, or RTTY mode to produce a steady carrier. Many contacts can be
continued on FM and solve some stability problems.

4) Station[B] sweeps and tweaks dish. If you have to TUNE and sweep, it
becomes even more important that station[B] can also point accurately so
that the only variable left is TUNING. It becomes 4 times harder if TUNING
and sweeping are performed at the same time.

5) If contact is not made, only station[A] should make minor dish changes
and retransmit for station[B] to do step 4 again.

6) If all fails, station[B] can assume the initiators position and try
again. This could help define possible equipment problems.

I wrote this because the weather sucks today and others might be waiting for
tomorrow also. Good luck.

At our next group meeting, we need to really address the frequency issue.
I'm taking another look at the TCXOs that Chuck introduced that could still
be the answer. I'm thinking about gluing the harmonic generating IC inside
a DDS LNB waveguide to bump the signal level up to a more useful level. 

George K4RSV