[VHFcontesting] VHFcontesting] 432 Sprint

[Steve Tripp (K1IIG)]

 Howdy to all,

Not as many contacts as I hoped, but did manage to work a mere 23Q and 8G in 
2hours before all my calling (1kw) went unanswered. Others in the area did 
better and my friend, K1TEO, worked all that I did in 20minutes of calling. 
It was fun listening to him pile up the calls and finding out I could hear 
80% of them (not bad from my station).  The fun challenges remain and mostly 
require me to improve my system for better results.

Easily worked Phil, K3TUF and K1WHS with great signals although K1WHS had 
some weird multipath which I have never heard even on 1296 or 2304, must 
have been the dam mice eating his connections.

Upgrades here in progress:

10ghz Demi 2 watt transverter here in box + Directive ~2' dish waiting for 
assembly to be used on tower and portable use. Today working on  $10 OCXO 
(crystal in a heated can) being tested and so far +/-1hz at 999mhz with 
IFR1500 locked to GPS.  Final test will be at 10ghz when Demi is connected 
to see how reliable it will be for portable useage with external OCXO. At 
home I will be using a Z3801 GPS locked to the Apollo32. I will configure 
these with switching for external/internal useage for home and mobile.

Ordered 3456mhz Demi and stacked 8elements from Directive (please do not 
encourage Dave with emails until my order is filled..hihi).  8-10w amp 
purchased and will decide how to tower mount system.

New tower, antennas, feedlines etc. might be in the wind. This V/U stuff is 
fun and mucho $$$$$.

Again, thanks to sponsors for all Sprint warm ups.

Steve
K1IIG