Microwave
Moving above the higher bands can be challenging. It’s a lot of fun though. There’s a whole new world of experimentation and hands-on. If you’re in an elevated position or like going portable, give this aspect of our hobby consideration.
Contesting
There’s nothing better than heading out and making a few contacts on a field weekend either with the local radio club or flying solo, especially when 6m is open! My contests of choice – the John Moyle field day and the VHF/UHF field days.
WSJT-X and FT8
If you’ve lost interest in the HF bands, why not give FT8 a go. It’s super easy to get going, and with an ever increasing range of software becoming available to assist in QSOs and logging, it leaves more time for making contacts!
10 GHz (3cm)
For whatever reason, everyone has a favourite band. It may be the characteristics or challenge of getting on a band that appeals to some operators. 10 GHz is one of those bands, and when it comes to antennas, accuracy is everything!
Amateur Radio
First licence in 1981 as VK3XFQ, then VK3KIR, I'm now VK3FS.
Licenced UAV pilot
All good hobbies need a licence, and flying drones is no different! I'm CASA certified.
Well, it's a living
Since 1984 I've been in the broadcasting industry. Production in TV and on air on ABC Radio.
VK3FS blog
Latching coaxial relay switching
A simple latching coaxial relay switching circuit and PCB for amateur radio microwave use driven by +12v from a sequencer or transverter.
18 November, 2023
Arduino Callsign beeper beacon controller
This is an Arduino Callsign beeper beacon controller. Use it for a beacon controller or CW generator for microwave path lineups.
11 November, 2023
External Frequency Reference for Microwave applications
GPSDOs for external frequency reference for microwave applications are a good idea, especially for weak signal QSO as well as Q65 contact.
06 August, 2023
5.7 GHz 10w PA from SG Lab
The new 5.7 GHz 10w PA from SG Lab is a well-priced power amplifier for the 6cm amateur band. Great for going to the next level on the band.
21 July, 2023
Some handy links
SolarHam
SolarHam provides real time Space Weather news and data from various sources, all in one location for easy navigation.
Visit SolarHam.com
VK Spotter
VKspotter gives radio operators a real time portal into band conditions. This tool is invaluable to anyone working 6m and above.
Visit site
Heywhatsthat.com is a great tool for path profiling. If you want to know what you can see from a particular spot, this is your site. Great for microwave outings too.
HeyWhatsThat.com
Tropo Forecast
William Hepburn's reference site for global tropo. You'll know all about this if you tinker in the higher bands. This link will take you to the AU/NZ forecast
Visit site
Tracking VHF Interference
Whether it’s an annoying buzz or hum, radio interference can certainly diminish enjoyment of our hobby. Finding it and getting it fixed can be one of those challenges that can really try us, but it need not be. This is the story of my local QRM and how I fixed it.
Microwave
Experimenting with microwave is not only a lot of fun, it can be a terrific learning experience. From 2.4GHz up, there’s so much to build and experiment with. The black boxes stop at 1296MHz, so transverters and sequencers are norm as you head up the spectrum.
Fixing the IC-9700 drift
The Icom IC-9700 is a brilliant radio with just one flaw. It drifts! If you’re just using the radio on voice, then chances are, you haven’t noticed. The frequency drift issue has had many talking about this instability since the radio’s release back in January 2019. For such an expensive transceiver, how could Icom have overlooked something as fundamental as frequency stability?
Icom IC-705 Review
The new Icom IC-705 All Mode Transceiver which is a QRP rig is now out in the wild. As an owner of an IC-9700, in some ways, this radio is very similar in operation, but in other ways, it’s so very different.
IC-9700 Locking Board
The Icom IC-9700 is a brilliant radio with just one flaw. It drifts! If you’re just using the radio on voice, then chances are, you haven’t noticed. The frequency drift issue has had many talking about this instability since the radio’s release back in January 2019. For such an expensive transceiver, how could Icom have overlooked something as fundamental as frequency stability?
SG Lab 9cm transverter
This is the second SG Lab transverter that I’ve purchased. Ther first was Hristiyan LZ5HP’s 2400 MHz transverter which has worked flawlessly since day 1. Located in Sofia, Bulgaria, SG Lab makes all sorts of microwave and RF products for commerical applications therfore they’re well positioned to make amateur radio products.
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VK3FS station location and surrounds at Mount Martha