23cm activity from VK3 this morning 26th January, 2026

 The VK3's having a cracker of a morning on 23cm SSB

latest multimode transceivers for VHF and above

I can never remember the latest model numbers as they are similiar and easily confused

ICOM IC-905   144, 430, 1200, 2400, 5600 MHz +10 GHz   All Mode Transceiver approx $4k8

ICOM IC-705   HF, 50, 144, 430 MHz    All Mode Transceiver    approx $2k

ICOM IC-9700   144, 430, 1200 MHz   All Mode Transceiver   approx $2k5      -  replacement to IC-910

YAESU FT-991A    HF, 50, 144, 430 MHz  All Mode Transceiver    approx $2k1

23cm Update 25th July, 2022

 

Made contact with VK2JDS at QF46pu, height 920mASL from my location on HorseshoeBend Rd, near Edith, QF46xe at 1340m ASL, on 1296.100 SSB and also FM, signals rcvd varied from  s0 from a handheld, to 30/9 for 8w into 5m diam dish with ic-910, Dave also tested loop yagi and  a gridpack about s9, distance between us was 95.6km

I was using ic-910 into a gridpack antenna, portable..

Later testing operational 23cm FM Analogue repeaters worked today:

1273.200 / 1293.200 VK2RWC  at Chatswood  40/9 from Porcupine Hill, QF46xe
1273.400 / 1293.400 VK2RAG at Somersby  s5 from Porcupine Hill, QF46xe

Worked Ron VK2GO, Lew VK2ZIP and Dave VK2TDN via VK2RWC Chatswood rptr.

For next year, I will bring 3.4GHz and 10GHz equipment.

WIA VHF/UHF/SHF Field Day Contests for 2022

 as mentioned earlier this year, the Summer VHF/UHF/SHF Field Day Contest has come and gone already

These are the remaining two WIA VHF/UHF/SHF Field Day Contests for 2022.

  Winter 2022 - 0200 UTC Saturday 25 through 0159 UTC Sunday 26 June (0400 / 0359 in VK6). 

  Spring 2022 - 0100 UTC Saturday 26 through 0059 UTC Sunday 27 November (0400 / 0359 in VK6).

The Wireless Institute of Australia (wia.org.au)

WIA VHF UHF SHF Field Day Contests 2020

due to Covid19 isolation winding up at start of March, I decided not to go away for the JMFD contest, my local club still went, to Barrington Tops, I didnt think it be useful as a contest for UHF and above, as they were camping in a valley, but there were some excellent high spots 10 minutes drive from campsite. Keep that for a future contest. Also due to Covid shutdown the WIA AGM in Hobart postponed to May 2021.  And  the GippsTech Conference postponed until July 2021

I had some discussion with some other contesters about June  FD contest, we thought to drive to northern NSW to work the VK4 microwavers, however, that was soon scrapped, as the Covid19  shutdown would prevent that, with no real idea on when we can get back to normal, so we set our eyes for November as the next VHF-UHF-SHF contest FD. The June contest will just have to be done from home this year, I think at this stage.

Dates for remainder of the year:
The Winter Contest  is Sat/Sun 20th/21st June 2020,
The Spring Contest is Sat/Sun 28th/29th Nov 2020

November should have us back to normal as far as travelling interstate. It not too hot to go to VK4. I wondering if the VK5's planning any roadtrips, they might want to join us for some serious microwave contesting in VK4. Lots of good mountain tops for microwaving around VK4/VK2 border.

While I am at it, here are dates for next year :
The Summer Contest is Sat/Sun 16th/17th Jan 2021
The Winter Contest is Sat/Sun 26th/27th Jun 2021
The Spring Contest is Sat/Sun 27th/28th Nov 2021

http://www.wia.org.au/members/contests/vhfuhf/

3398.100 MHz contact with VK2KYP

on 25th July 2019, whilst I was portable up the back of Porcupine Hill near Jenolan Caves, in QF46xe, I worked Gary VK2KYP  firstly on 1296.100 Mhz USB, who was portable at Somersby, (QF56pp) near the FM broadcast tower, across to me portable at Jenolan Cabins, signals were 57, then we followed that contact with a 9cm contact on 3398.100 MHz USB, both of us using GARC 3.4GHz panels,  running 100mW each way, the distance was approx 131km, it was exciting for us as we broken the 100km hurdle,  even though VK3's have done much better, we thought it significant  since we both running QRP and simple panel antennas. Signals were in the order of 50/51, we also tried FM, we could detect  and hear each other, but not strong enough for a successful contact.

Summer VHF/UHF Field Day Contest - 12th / 13th January 2019

almost end of 2018 and just realised that it only two weeks until the 2019 Summer VHF/UHF/SHF Field Day Contest.   I missed the Spring Field Day for 2018, so more effort required to ensure I go portable to operate VHF through SHF, obviously a mountain in the western side of Blue Mtns. The plan is to go Saturday morning setup for 12noon start, do 6 hrs stint will be enough. Not serious to win, it's about just getting out portable to give out some numbers to others and build up microwave skillset. I got everything for 6metres and above, but primary focus is on microwave bands.

DX Report 19th December 2018

another opening to ZL yesterday from VK2, on 2metres  and FM broadcast band across Tasman Sea.
ZL2WHO beacons heard into Sydney and Newcastle areas. Interestingly, Hepburn didnt predict much tropo for the day.
For the day before (18th December) good opening  on 2metres between VK4 and VK5 a few contacts.