Each year I hope that someone else will join the SOTA 10G group (which is very small). Each year people say they will, or that they are nearly ready. Each year I am disappointed.
If 23cm FM is getting a bit dull, why not try some real radio on 10GHz? Contacts of 150-300km are normal on 10GHz and DX out to 1,000km is quite possible.
In reply to G8ADD:
A few years ago Richard GW0VMW and myself achieved a summit to summit NW-064 to NW-072 on Bardsey island using just reflected light. Not that it counts for SOTA but fun to try anyway!
Very well done, Roger! I don’t see why it shouldn’t count for SOTA…the difference between microwaves, IR and visible light is purely a matter of convention.
Yes, what a super band. It’s a pity WBFM generated by Gunn Diodes died a death as that was an inexpensive way of getting on. Unfortunately not many people have the readies to shell out on a 10GHz transverter and those that do probably are relunctant to part with their cash when the return in QSOs is likely to be quite small.
I’d gladly join you, but my lottery ticket hasn’t come up yet.
What would be useful would be to introduce a rover category to the UHF/SHF contests like they have in the US. You end up with the chance of working the fixed stations, the fixed contest station and the rovers.
I bought the antenna relay last week Richard, brand new 18GHz job for £15. I’m getting there… at about the speed a glacier moves. Or slower!
Ah well there you go. I’ve only been doing the IARU/RSGB contests. Blissful ignorance Richard. I think we’re having a bash at the new microwave field day this August.